Evan Lisle: ‘My role is to do anything’ to help Ohio State Buckeyes

At Fiesta Bowl Media Day on Thursday at the Camelback Inn, Lisle talked about both of those plays.

Of the Tyler Durbin kick against Michigan, a field goal that followed two misses, Lisle said, “You can’t flinch or else the game would be over. You just had to hold your gap. It was awesome. You’ve just got to do your job. He’s been good all year. Every kicker misses a field goal once in a while. You can’t let him get down.”

Of the block by Penn State, Lisle said, “The guy timed it up perfectly and jumped up. You look back on it and watch it. You’ve just got to move on, and we did as a team."

Lisle redshirted in 2013 as a true freshman and missed the 2014 season with a knee injury. He earned playing time in 2015 on special teams and appeared in all 13 games. He has put the injury behind him.

“I had to battle back from that,” Lisle said. “It took a while to recover. After I did, it doesn’t bother me anymore.”

Lisle competed for a starting job this season when three starting jobs opened. He’s listed as a backup at left tackle to junior Jamarco Jones.

“It’s hard,” Lisle said. “You’re here for the team. My role is to do anything to help the team.”

At least one spot on the line will open after this season because Ohio State loses Pat Elflein. The competition for that job has already begun.

“I’ve got a year left,” Lisle said. “(Starting is) the goal. It starts in bowl practice. It’s been going on for a while. It’s all season. We’re always looking for the next guy.”

Lisle said his parents, Steve and Marcy, and his sister Annie are in Arizona for the Fiesta Bowl. His grandparents, Steve and Sally Lisle, live nearby in Mesa, Ariz., and will also be at the game against Clemson on Saturday.