Tulsa World: Up close: OSU's Lane Taylor

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Up close: OSU's Lane Taylor

Oklahoma State right guard Lane Taylor, blocking in last Saturday's victory at Texas A&M, took over the starting job in the Rice game. STEPHEN HOLMAN / Tulsa World

By BILL HAISTEN World Sports Writer
Published: 10/14/2009 2:25 AM
Last Modified: 10/14/2009 12:09 PM

STILLWATER — Through the first two games of the season, Oklahoma State was unsettled on the offensive line.

At right guard, Andrew Mitchell was the starter against Georgia. Anthony Morgan was the starter against Houston. When the Cowboy offense took the field against Rice, Lane Taylor — a redshirt freshman from Arlington, Texas — was given his shot at right guard.

Taylor took advantage of the opportunity. The job is his. In August, he was buried on the OSU depth chart. Now, Taylor is a factor in the line's stabilization and increasingly effective play.

During last week's 36-31 Big 12 victory at Texas A&M, the Cowboy line paved the way for 169 rushing yards while not surrendering a sack.

Taylor did not get significant practice repetitions during most of the August camp, but eventually commanded attention and consideration.

"Lane did not have a great spring, and because of that, he did not get a lot of opportunities in (August)," offensive line coach Joe Wickline said. "For Lane, the light just kind of came on. He's a good kid. He's got a lot of flexibility and strength, and nothing bothers him. He's been a pleasant surprise."

During his first interview as a college player, Taylor discussed his surge to relevance — and his car, a 1972-model Chevelle.

You seemingly came out of nowhere to win the starting job at right guard. Where were you in August?

Third-team left guard. I really felt like I was stuck there. The way

things happened, it was shocking to me. I just went to practice every day and tried to be prepared and tried to play well. Pass-blocking has to be the biggest improvement. I didn't do much pass-blocking in high school.

Your first start was against Rice on Sept. 19. How early in the week did you learn that you would start, and was your family able to make the trip from your home in Arlington, Texas?

I told them that I was starting, and they were, 'We've got to be there.' My mom, my dad, my younger brother and my Aunt Betty came up for the game. They hadn't originally planned to be here. They have a 40-foot motor home that they like to drive.

Your media-guide bio indicates that you enjoy working on cars? What does that mean? Do you actually restore old cars?

Yes, exactly. I drive a '72 Chevelle. It was in bad shape when I got it. My first car was an '83 Mercedes, and it ran like a champ. And then I got the Chevelle. It smoked so bad and the whole right side was just caved in. It looked like the (previous owner) hit a guard rail or something. Between football and other stuff, the Chevelle turned into a four-year project.

When you drive your Chevelle around Stillwater, do people comment?

Yeah, they do. The paint is slate gray. People say, "Hey, man. Nice car."

Who else on the team has a distinctly cool vehicle?

(Left guard) Noah Franklin drives a tiny, green Corvette. I rode with him one time. Two big guys in a Corvette. It was pretty tight in there. It felt like we were strapped in the space shuttle.

FAST FACTS

Position: Right guard

Class: Fr.

Height: 6-2

Weight: 301

Hometown: Arlington, Texas

Bill Haisten 581-8397
bill.haisten@tulsaworld.com By BILL HAISTEN World Sports Writer

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Wes7788, Tulsa (10/14/2009 6:38:12 AM)

Isn't he a redshirt freshman?

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