Joe Imel/Daily NewsWestern Kentucky offensive lineman Joe Dolchan (left) is hoping to finish his senior season with a trip to the playoffs. The past two years, Dolchan has suffered a season-ending injury.

When asked to finish this sentence, &#82202006 will be a good season if … ,” WKU senior offensive tackle Joe Dolchan answered, &#8220That’s a good enough sentence. Two thousand six will be a successful season and that’s good enough for me.”

After two season-ending knee injuries, Dolchan enters his senior year listed as the starter at right tackle.

When he’s been healthy, Dolchan has been counted on as one of the unit’s strongest and most reliable blockers. Before a knee injury sidelined him last season, he had graded out at 92 percent overall in four starts. But after being carried off the practice field just before the Tops’ homecoming game against Missouri State, he saw his junior season come to an abrupt end.

The process of getting back to the field has been grueling. Between surgery and rehabilitation, Dolchan has paid his dues, working diligently to get back with his teammates.

&#8220It definitely tries even the most patient man’s patience. It’s hard to deal with, but you have to just keep coming back and trying,” he said. &#8220It was frustrating and painful. It’s a long, drawn out process. You pretty much have to learn how to walk again and put pressure on both legs and be able to trust yourself again.”

Through his ability to overcome adversity, Dolchan has served as both an inspiration and rallying point for his teammates.

&#8220We really rally around Joe. He’s a great example of mental toughness,” fellow lineman, junior Greg Ryan, said. &#8220He’s a senior leader on this team and this offensive line.”

During WKU’s spring practices, the team holds a ceremony where everyone has to answer two questions. Who are the leaders and who do you respect?

Respect among one’s peers says a lot about a person and according to WKU coach David Elson, it says a lot about Dolchan.

&#8220Joe Dolchan is one that comes up over and over again,” he said. &#8220The way he’s responded to (adversity) and his attitude. He’s just made the best of a bad situation and I think our guys respect that.”

When he arrived at Western in 2002, Dolchan was redshirted. Recruited as a defensive lineman, he spent his early time on the Hill fighting to get to the quarterback instead of protecting him.

&#8220It took him a while to learn, but he’s done a great job,” offensive line coach Walter Wells said. &#8220He’s been through so much. He’s got to be one of toughest kids on this team.”

As a redshirt freshman, he played in 10 games both on the offensive line and field goal unit. The following season, he earned a starting spot and played nearly the entire year, grading out at 88 percent with 109 pancake blocks before blowing out his knee in the regular season finale at Florida International.

Another setback

Just when it looked like everything was starting to move forward, another setback sidelined Dolchan. Fortunately this time it will not keep him off his feet or off the field for long.

Just last week Dolchan needed three pins surgically placed in his right index finger after he broke it in practice. Equipped with a large cast, he will have to sit out full-contact drills for at least two weeks or until he’s able to wear a softer, more cushioned version.

Dolchan is still able to practice and run with his team, which will keep him conditioned for his return.

&#8220I set myself two weeks. If I don’t make it, well, I can’t afford not to make it,” Dolchan said. &#8220This is my last D-I game and especially being against Georgia. I’m not going to miss it.”

Terrance Houston, a 6-foot-4, 275-pound junior, is filling in for Dolchan. An offensive lineman depends on and uses his hands on every play, making any hand injury very touchy. As the Georgia game approaches, Dolchan’s status will be closely monitored as to his availability and capability to perform at a high level.

&#8220We just have to take that day by day,” Elson said. &#8220Until he gets closer to coming back and seeing what he can do physically. There’s always a backup plan.”

As the season nears, Dolchan carries high expectations for himself and his team. Personally, a healthy season on the field with his teammates is a good start. And like the other 16 seniors, a Gateway Conference championship and a return to the playoffs would be a fitting way to finish at Western.

If he’s said it once, he’s said it before: &#82202006 will be a successful season and that’s good enough for me.”