Bulldogs’ Hughes has solidified starting spot on line that keeps changing

For Fresno State offensive line coach Ryan Grubb, 2018 has been nothing like 2017. But, few seasons are. The Bulldogs a year ago played the same starting line, open to close, with Aaron Mitchell at center, Netane Muti and Micah St. Andrew at left and right guard, Christian Cronk and David Patterson at left and right tackle.

“I’ve never had anything like last year,” said Grubb, before pausing.

“This year,” he said, “it’s not like last year.”

Through eight games, the Bulldogs have started games with four different combinations up front, the shuffling starting when Muti went down with an Achilles’ injury in a loss at Minnesota. Cronk moved back out to left tackle, JC transfer Nick Abbs moved into the starting lineup at left guard. Grubb flipped St. Andrew and Markus Boyer inside, with St. Andrew going back to right tackle and Boyer from right tackle back to center. Then, in a victory at New Mexico, right tackle Syrus Tuitele tweaked an ankle.

Tuitele finished that game but did not play last week in a 50-20 victory over Hawaii, pushing redshirt freshman Dontae Bull into the lineup at right guard.

In there, as well, is Logan Hughes, who worked his way past Abbs and will go back to his hometown for a game at UNLV on Saturday as a starting left guard for a team that is 7-1, 4-0 in the Mountain West and No. 23 in the College Football Playoff rankings.

“I didn’t get to do that two years ago, so that’s definitely something to look forward to,” Hughes said. “I kind of just kept chugging and whatever my role was I’ve always been happy to be on a team and have a great group of guys and obviously win.

“I just do whatever I can to get that done. Unfortunately some people got injured this year and I got a chance, so make the best of it.”

Hughes has, though it has taken some time. The senior had turned one make-or-break year at Victor Valley College in 2015 into a scholarship offer to Fresno State and played in 11 games and made six starts at the end of the Bulldogs’ 1-11 season in 2016. But he did not play in a single game last season, the first under coach Jeff Tedford..

“For the offensive line this year, it’s a night-and-day difference from last year,” Grubb said. “It’s a weekly competition. It’s guys trying to get on the field, battling every practice. Logan is the guy that answered the bell, as far as the inside guys.

“He has become one of our better finishers, and the thing that I appreciate is he knows some of his deficiencies as a player and he attacks them, working on technique that he didn’t necessarily possess and he has really gotten a lot better at some base things. It’s just perseverance and knowing that he can make a difference when given the opportunity and he absolutely has. He has clear cut won that job — he has done a good job with it.”

Hughes has started the past three games on a line that has allowed only five sacks and 27.0 tackles for loss, leading the Mountain West in both statistical categories.

The 27.0 tackles for loss is the best in the conference by a wide margin: Utah State is second with 42.0, in the same number of games.

Fresno State also has picked up its running game, despite all of the lineup changes.

The Bulldogs pounded out 214 rushing yards in just 33 plays in their victory over Hawaii, a season-best 6.5 yards per play.

Against the Rebels, they match up against a defense that is ranked last in the Mountain West against the run, allowing 213.3 yards per game at 5.1 yards per play.

UNLV also is last in the league in scoring defense, allowing 38.9 points per game including 50 or more three times in a five-game losing streak.

Hughes has been moving the pieces in front of him on the football field with tenacity and technique, which is improving after spending the spring at right tackle, and is a critical piece playing against larger players at just 285 pounds (he is the only starter at less than 300).

“He has worked really hard and coach Grubb has done a nice job with him,” coach Jeff Tedford said. “He is competitive. He has helped create some depth for us, as we’ve had some injuries. He cares about what is going on, he’s dedicated to what’s happening and is a team guy, so he has hung in there and just kept improving.”

It’s another imperative quality, for Grubb.

“He’s really good in those tight spots inside, is surprisingly physical for his size and that’s a demeanor thing, too — it’s an attitude and that’s one of the best things Logan brings,” he said. “He brings an attitude out there when he plays, because he knows he has to.

“If he goes out there and plays without some bite, he’s going to get whooped and he knows that. He’s the last guy pushing, the last guy shoving, and that’s been a huge help.”