Q&A: LJ Scott on Michigan State's lack of offensive line push: 'We're in this together'

EAST LANSING – LJ Scott didn't find many creases to run through during Michigan State's season-opening 38-31 escape against Utah State. The Spartans' senior running back tallied a modest 84 yards on 23 attempts and didn't have a rush of more than 4 yards until his 10th carry.

MSU coach Mark Dantonio described the issues as collective but absolved Scott of blame. "I thought LJ ran well, ran effectively, ran hard," Dantonio said Tuesday.

Scott spoke this week about his performance, what he saw from the offensive line and the challenges of running in extreme heat this week at Arizona State. Here is that interview:

Graham Couch: How frustrating was it for you to keep running into what looked like a wall last week?

LJ Scott: No. 1, I just want to say it's a fresh season, we're just getting started. We've got the same guys, we've got experience up there. You know, I would just say it was the first-game jitters. I know what we're capable of doing up front. I trust those guys no matter what, 100 percent. Regardless of whether we're getting a push or not, I should always be patient. But Friday night I had to be a little more patient.

Q: Mark Dantonio said he was happy with the way you ran, that he didn't see that as the issue, but when you critique yourself, are there moments you go, "That was an opportunity missed?"

A: Definitely. Definitely. Regardless of the guys up front, I can still get better individually, whether it's vision or hitting the hole 100 percent. There weren't too many times where I was like, 'I could have hit that spot. There were a couple times I did have to say that. At the same time, man, it's just preparation, knowing where those guys on the offensive line are going to flow to, knowing where those guys are going to sit, knowing when the puller comes, he's trying to get hat behind hat, trust that and hit the holes as soon as possible. I'm still getting better around those edges. We're doing this together. We're in this together.

MORE: Couch: For Michigan State's LJ Scott, a big senior year means ending his mother's struggle

Q: When the coaches moved Tyler Higby out to left tackle and shuffled the line, how long does it take you to adjust to a new line?

A: The fact that coach (Mark) Staten rotates those guys — I actually looked up in the game and I saw him at left tackle and was like, "Oh." But it's just about trust, trusting that guy knowing he'll get the job done, knowing that he'll get on the guy he's supposed to and get a push. On my end it's patience. At the end of the day, I try to make those guys right. If they're trying to go one way and a guy goes the other way, I'll go another way just to make him right. Everything doesn't always work out perfectly.

Q: Do you talk to those guys up front during the game?

A: I do, I do. I try to give them some kind of motivational talk, "Let's go down the field and score here." I talk to them all the time. It's just a matter of doing.

Q: You don't seem worried at all. Do you believe you're on the cusp of something, or know you can only control so much?

A: There's only so much I can do by myself. It's about trusting those guys. I'm not too worried if we miss a block here or miss a block there. Things happen. Everybody misses blocks. It's about going to the next play and getting it done. It just comes from trust and not worrying about if they will block this or that, but trusting that they will.

Q: Have you ever played football before in 100-degree temperatures?

A: I don't think I have. I'm definitely preparing myself for it. Lots of fluids throughout the week. Getting all that stuff that the trainers have for us to help not cramp and preparing ourselves on the field. Try not to come out every two plays (in practice) and just try to gas myself so I can be used to that going into this week. Not too much water.

MORE MSU FOOTBALL COVERAGE

• Q&A: Arizona State writer on expectations for MSU-ASU, covering Herm Edwards, N'Keal Harry, etc.
• Couch: MSU averts disaster, but concerns are real with offensive line

Contact Graham Couch at gcouch@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @Graham_Couch.