ISU's Lamaak ready to play, no matter the position

Ben Lamaak has a pretty good idea he'll be in Iowa State's starting lineup when the season opens Sept. 3 against North Dakota State.

Exactly where, well, he's not so sure.

“I have no idea,” Lamaak said. “I'll play anywhere. I can play all five, so wherever we can get the best five out there is where I'll settle in. It doesn't matter to me.”

For now, the former Cedar Rapids Kennedy standout is stationed at right guard, which might be his most natural position.

Two years ago, Lamaak started all 12 games at right tackle. As a sophomore he began the season at right guard before moving back to right tackle. This spring he practiced at guard and center, and was the starting left tackle in the spring game.

Don't forget, this is a guy who came to ISU as a 225-pound tight end who also played some quarterback in high school.

Versatility is Lamaak's biggest asset.

“It gives us some options,” he said.

It's allowed senior Reggie Stephens to slide over to center and have linemates Kelechi Osemele (6-5, 349) and Scott Haughton (6-3, 338) on the outside at left and right tackle, respectively.

Alex Alvarez, who started half the season in 2008 in place of injured starter Mike Knapp, is at left guard.

The Cyclones are experienced up front for a change and have veteran players making decisions.

“Ben and Reggie give us a couple of guys who can make calls and make sure the other guys around them are responsive to those checks and the responsibilities that go along with it,” said Coach Paul Rhoads.

Stephens worked some at center in the spring and spent the summer months practicing there.

He hadn't played the position since the seventh grade, so Stephens needed all the work he could get snapping the ball in a shotgun formation.

The Cyclones will operate from the shotgun in all but short yardage and goal line situations.

“I think I'm getting pretty good at it,” Stephens said.

Quarterback Austen Arnaud may have something to say about that, probably with quite a bit of sarcasm.

“He's kind of a prima donna like that. He wants (the ball snapped) right in the center of his chest,” Stephens said. “He's big, too. If I get it back there he can get to it.”

ISU has one of the beefiest offensive lines it has had in a long time, maybe ever.

The five starters average 320 pounds, with all but Alvarez tipping the scales at more than 300 pounds. And he's not far off at 295.

“We are pretty big,” Rhoads said. “The offensive line should be big and strong. The difference between that size where it was in January and where it is today, is that now that size moves.”

It has to in order to run the no-huddle offense the Cyclones have in place.

Linemen spent their summer conditioning their bodies and minds for the fast-paced attack.

“You get used to,” Lamaak said. “There's a lot of little stuff you have to get down. There's a lot of communication up front.”

ISU offensive line at a glance

Opener on TV

Iowa State's season-opening football game against North Dakota State will be carried statewide by Mediacom on Connections Channel 22. The game kicks off at 7 p.m.

ISU offensive line at a glance

Starters: Ben Lamaak, jr., 6-4, 318; Reggie Stephens, sr., 6-3, 300; Scott Haughton, so., 6-3, 338; Kelechi Osemele, so., 6-5, 349; Alex Alvarez, jr., 6-2, 295.

In the Mix: Zack Spears, so., 6-6, 294; Hayworth Hicks, jr., 6-3, 346; Trey Baysinger, so., 6-5, 322.

In the know: This is a huge front line, averaging 320 pounds. If the new spread offense works as designed, they won't have to pass block for long and the wider splits will create wider lanes for Alexander Robinson and ISU's other running backs.

Bowling if ...:The line can keep QB Austen Arnaud upright in the pocket and open enough holes in the run game to keep opposing defenses guessing.

- Eric Petersen

Opener on TV

Iowa State's season-opening football game against North Dakota State will be carried statewide by Mediacom on Connections Channel 22. The game kicks off at 7 p.m.