DECORAH - Every coach or supervisor needs individuals willing to do a job with little fanfare.

Spencer Allen has fit that profile for the past four years.

On the football field, the Luther College offensive lineman has spent his Saturday afternoons in the trenches creating running lanes for his teammates.

Off the field, to help offset the plethora of college expenses, the senior has been a cook at Pizza Hut, a sandwich artist at Subway and currently works part-time in the meat department at Fareway.

"I enjoy behind-the-scenes work," Allen said. "I'm just a guy who likes to get after it. I don't need all the cheering to keep me going."

Even though a lineman can be a thankless job, Allen has been instrumental for the Norse offense. The 6-foot-4, 350-pound right tackle started as a sophomore, was second team all-conference last season and enters his senior campaign as one of the team's co-captains.

In fact, Allen could have graduated last spring. However, the fifth-year senior optioned to carry over one hour of class to this fall so he could experience one more football season.

"I put this one hour off so I could give this team one more shot at a special season," said Allen, who was granted a medical redshirt from the NCAA after fracturing his foot as a freshman. "I'm dedicated to football right now."

It showed with his commitment during the summer.

The Southlake, Texas, native returned home and worked out "harder than any other offseason." He came back to camp this fall with added strength, an improved vertical leap (by 4 inches) and quicker off the ball.

"When you're on your own, it's harder to get motivated, and it's easy to take days off every now and then," said Allen, referred to as "Tex" by teammates and coaches because of his Texas background. "I don't think I took very many off this summer.

"This is my last shot, so I want to make the most of it."

In viewing film from last season and what he's witnessed this fall, first-year Luther coach Mike Durnin has noticed significant improvement in Allen.

"He looks better in a stance than he ever has," Durnin said. "You can tell he really worked hard this summer."

Allen has seen growth, too.

"When I came in, I was kind of a soft player," he said. "Now, I got that mentality, 'I'm going to beat you. I'm going to hit you hard.'

"I'm enjoying the game more than I did in high school, and I'm closer with my teammates here."

Allen played with Missouri standout quarterback Chase Daniel on Carroll High School's Class 5A state championship team in 2002. The following year, as a senior, Allen's team was state runners-up.

Burned out from the pressure and demands of high school football in Texas, Allen searched for a cozy community to play collegiate ball. Influenced by four family friends that attended Luther, Allen decided on that route.

"It's a different experience on the field," Allen said. "You go from playing in front of 12,000 to 2,000, but the fans are still great and I still love playing here."

Durnin, hoping to get Luther's program over the hump in the rugged Iowa Conference, raves about Allen's winning background.

"Tex brings great leadership," Durnin said. "I love his leadership. He knows what it takes to be successful. He's seen successful programs and seen programs that haven't been successful.

"He's been a great help having him look at what we're doing."

With a freshman quarterback and a new starting tailback, Luther will depend heavily on Allen and returning offensive linemen Chad Nelson and John Stoltenberg.

The Norse has been near the top of the IIAC in offense during Allen's tenure.

But with a new coach and system, there have been some adjustments.

"It's a very different offense," Allen said. "It's more zone work, so you have to trust your teammates more.

"Still, everyone is real focused and getting after it. There's a different mentality here right now."

After the season, Allen plans to move back to Texas. He wants to pursue a career in the business field.

Still, there is work to be done - on the field, in the classroom and at the grocery store. Luther opens the season Saturday afternoon at home against St. Olaf.

"He fits the life of a Division III football player," Durnin said. "They do it for the passion and love of the game. That's what makes this level so wonderful to coach and be around.

"They've got to pay the bills like we do."

Contact Matt Coss at (319) 291-1468 or matt.coss@wcfcourier.com