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WVU Football Center Zach Frazier on Success of Rushing Attack

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WVU Football OLs Zach Frazier and Doug Nester

Since the surprise success of West Virginia’s run game has been a bright spot this season, it’s time to hear from a player that’s been a major part of what’s worked so well on the ground – center Zach Frazier.

WVU offensive coordinator Graham Harrell has been vocal about feeling the run game has been driven by giving the ball to great players and the fact that he runs a balanced offense and that the typical “Air Raid” label doesn’t fit him. Running back Tony Mathis has always believed in himself. Head coach Neal Brown has been honest about his thought process when recruiting freshman CJ Donaldson, but has said he knew that he would have an impact. But Mountaineer fans have not yet heard from Frazier about his thoughts on WVU’s 200-yard rushing performances.

WVU OC Graham Harrell Doesn’t Feel ‘Air Raid’ Label Fits His Offense

That’s no longer the case, with Frazier appearing on the Big 12 Today show on Sirius XM’s college football channel. “When you’re blocking for a guy like Tony, you want to give everything you got. He always has our backs and we try to open up the holes for him. He did a lot of tough running for us, which you have to love as an offensive lineman,” Frazier said when asked about Mathis’ big game against Baylor and why everything has clicked so well for Mathis and the offensive line.

Mathis tallied 163 yards for an average of 7.4 yard per carry in the win over the Bears. He’s ran for 459 yards on exactly 5 yards per rush so far this season. Donaldson, who has been out since being carted off the field against Texas, is expected to be back for WVU’s matchup with Texas Tech this Saturday. Donaldson was previously the Mountaineers leading rusher before getting injured. He still has 389 overall yards on 6.9 per, which has been aided by breaking big plays. Factor in Justin Johnson and WVU has had one of the better rushing attacks in the country.

But as is often the case in football, no running back can have success without a line blocking and it’s much easier to run when you are doing it behind a great line you trust. Frazier, like any other veteran offensive lineman, is going to be humble and give all the credit to the backs, but he’s the unsung hero the ground game being so good this year.

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