BOONE, N.C. — The offensive line from No. 22 App State has been named a top-15 unit in the country by receiving honorable mention recognition for the Joe Moore Award.
Ten offensive lines from Power Five conference teams are the 10 semifinalists, and App State had one of the five lines on the honorable mention list.
Having ranked in the top 25 nationally in both rushing yards per game and fewest sacks allowed in each of the last five years, App State is currently 18th in rushing yards per game (223.8) and 20th in fewest sacks allowed (14) under the direction of line coach
Shawn Clark. The first-place Mountaineers (9-1, 5-1 Sun Belt) are coming off a 56-27 victory in which they rushed for 280 yards and posted 553 total yards.
This is the fifth year of the award that honors Moore, who is regarded as one of the best offensive line coaches in college football history.
The five starters on App State's offensive line have made a combined 142 starts in their careers.
Redshirt senior
Victor Johnson (tackle) leads the way with 47 starts in 48 career games, and center
Noah Hannon has started all 36 games since he enrolled at App State.
Ryan Neuzil has started 28 straight games at left guard,
Baer Hunter has made 22 starts at guard in 34 career game appearances and redshirt freshman
Cooper Hodges (tackle) has started all nine games this year. Another lineman,
Cole Garrison, has made 35 career appearances and been a key contributor in each of the last two seasons.
The committee had high praise for App State's line, saying, "They consistently display many of the award criteria that we look for, with their technique, physicality and effort being the pillars of their success."
