DJ Chester is pleased with the offensive line performance but there are still ‘strides we have to take'

Coming into the opening game for Mississippi State, a position group that was going to have a lot of eyeballs on it was the offensive line after a tough season up front for the Bulldogs last year. Well, there were a lot of new faces on the front wall for State, with three transfers, and that is a position where a certain amount of chemistry is required altogether. Still, that group did not allow a sack and helped pave the way for over 300 rushing yards on Saturday.Various offensive linemen spoke with the media about that group building chemistry leading into the season, whether it be eating together or watching extra film. LSU transfer DJ Chester started at left guard, and he has been a leader for this group, and he believes the emphasis on building chemistry among the offensive linemen helped in Saturday's blowout win over Louisiana Monroe."I feel like it paid off terrifically, but we still have a lot of strides that we have to take," Chester explained. "This morning we went over the film with Coach Phil (Loadholt), and he told us that we played well, but there is always room for improvement. The competition is just going to get tougher and tougher every week, so we need to always focus on the small details."Loadholt, the Bulldog offensive line coach, was back with his group after not being on the sidelines during the season opener due to a one-game suspension. For a new group, it seems like that would be a big deal, but everyone being on the same page helped on that front, and former Bulldog offensive line coach Mason Miller, who was brought in this offseason, led that group along with some help from other new faces."Man, they did great," Chester remarked. "Between Coach Miller and Coach (Brandon) Fusco, everyone in the room just speaks the same language. Coach Loadholt was not there, but everyone speaks the same, so it felt like he was there."A big storyline for this group was having the experienced Cannon Boone back and having Chester, who has started a lot of games at center, on the same line. Having those two guys would help with communication since they are both used to being the main communicator up front. That also helps Miles McVay, LJ Prudhomme, and Jakheem Shumpert Perkins, three guys who made their first college starts against ULM."I felt like the communication was wonderful," Chester detailed. "All of us are somewhat older guys between me, Boone, and McVay, so if one of us did not see something, the guy next to them would help everyone out."It was a solid first game for the Bulldog offensive line, but the competition is just going to get stiffer in the weeks ahead, especially this weekend against a stout Minnesota team that won seven games last year and returns a lot of production on its defense. It is only Monday, but Chester has already been in the film room checking out the Gophers, and one thing stood out above all else."My first impression was that this is a very hard-working team," Chester said of Minnesota. "They are a tough defense that is always going to fly to the ball. That is what really stood out to me whenever I watched them on tape today. They are a hard-working defense and have eleven hats flying to the ball."Minnesota has one of the best defensive linemen in the country with Anthony Smith back after posting a dozen and a half sacks a year ago, and there is talent around them as well. It did not take long for the Bulldog offensive linemen to have a really tough test this season, but it is about focusing on themselves and not the opponent."I would just say focus on what we do best," Chester said. "Just focus on our technique and what we can do, and not worry as much about what they can do. I feel like if we keep the focus on ourselves, then everything should be fine."