Fresno State O-line could lose its leader

Right guard Jackson hobbled with left knee injury.

Published online on Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2009

Fresno State's top offensive lineman, Andrew Jackson, remains questionable for Saturday's crucial Western Athletic Conference showdown at Nevada.

And with that uncertainty comes nervousness, replacement right guard Leslie Cooper admits -- Cooper's own jitters and those of his teammates.

"Everyone was kind of wondering if I can handle it," Cooper said Wednesday. "This is a very big game for us, very big. And in our eyes, 'Jack' is the best offensive lineman in our conference.

"I'm kind of nervous. I can tell everyone else might be, too. But Jack has been teaching me the ropes and calming me down."

Jackson, who doesn't speak to the media, practiced some Tuesday but did not dress Wednesday. Instead, the 6-foot-5, 295-pound junior did individual drills in shorts and a T-shirt, taking breaks to watch Cooper practice.

Jackson's tweaked left knee, an injury suffered in the first half of Fresno State's 31-21 win at Idaho last week, likely will make him a gametime decision. It puts his streak of 31 consecutive starts at risk.

For now, Jackson and Fresno State are operating as if he will not play.

That puts the onus on Cooper, a 6-4, 305-pound sophomore who has played sparingly on offense (he also plays on special teams).

"We like to say 'Who's next?' " quarterback Ryan Colburn said. "Andrew is a big leader for us on our offensive unit. We're not sure if we're going to have him. Leslie is doing a good job this week preparing himself.

"He's an athletic player and can be a very physical player sometimes. He's working on getting that consistency."

Throughout this week, Jackson has been tutoring Cooper on and off the field.

Jackson gives Cooper assignments to do at home, and Cooper also must watch film and report to the three-year starter on a daily basis.

The two were supposed to watch film after Tuesday's practice, but Cooper missed the session to write a paper due for a class.

"He got mad at me," Cooper said. "It's not good to make Jack mad."

So Cooper and Jackson rescheduled the film session after practice Wednesday.

"We watch film together and he teaches me some stuff, extra keys to look for," Cooper said. "All the little things we go over, make sure I got everything [and] my technique is right."

Cooper was in contention to start at left guard during the preseason but lost out to junior Devan Cunningham.

Should Cooper start Saturday, it will be the first of his career. It is unclear how Fresno State will alter its game plan.

With the Bulldogs' biggest player -- 6-6, 330-pound Cunningham -- on one side and the experienced Jackson anchoring the other, Fresno State has had few problems running in either direction. The Bulldogs rank fifth in the nation in rushing with an average of 250.9 yards per game.

Fresno State also ranks 24th in fewest tackles allowed for losses (4.67 per game), and 28th with fewest sacks allowed (1.2).

But chemistry is always key to an offensive line's success, and it remains to be seen how the unit will jell with Cooper playing an entire game.

Plus, the Bulldogs will face a Wolf Pack defense that ranks 13th in the nation in tackles for a loss (7.5 per game).

Nevada also has the WAC's sack leaders in Kevin Basped and Dontay Moch. Both are defensive ends but could attack inside some to take advantage of Fresno State's possible offensive line shuffle.

For his 21/2 quarters of play against Idaho, Cooper said he received an A for effort but could have done better with his technique and assignments.

"I'd give myself like a B," Cooper said. "I'll be ready. I might be nervous at first. But I'll be ready."