The defensive line of the Huskie football squad will have to do some rebuilding this spring after the loss of a few cornerstones, namely tackles Ted Hennings and Phil Bucaro.

“We have lots of work to do,” defensive line coach Sheldon Herd said. “The (new) kids are aggressive, but the biggest thing we lack is experience.”

Sophomores Tom Osteen and Rob Wagner have been working to fill the gaps during the first week of spring practice. During limited action last fall, Osteen recorded 11 tackles and Wagner, one. A far cry from the 59 and 55 that Bucaro and Hennings brought down, but Osteen feels that they will do the job.

“It’ll be hard to fill their shoes because of the inexperience,” he said, “but physically and mentally we feel we can get the job done.”

The rest of the line will remain the same with Scott Van Bellinger and Cary Caliendo at the ends. Caliendo, who last year led the team in sacks (7) and ranked second in tackles for loss (11), felt that the new members of the line succeeded in Sunday’s scrimmage.

“I’m happy with the way they played today; they did a damn good job,” he said. “People will run a lot to the inside because they’re young, but they’re learning a lot. They won’t be much of a weak spot when they get their technique right.”

Van Bellinger, who led the squad last year in tackles for loss (12) and recorded two sacks, had similar praise.

“They showed that inexperience means nothing,” Van Bellinger said. “They did a real good job.”

With four weeks remaining before the spring game (April 28), Herd and his line will have their work cut out for them.

“We’re not where we need to be,” Herd said, “but I have confidence in these kids. They’re going to be around for a while.”