They have always been big and strong, and now they are starting to jell.

The ISU offensive line has been solid so far in this young season. Aside from the three-point performance against Iowa, the ISU offense has averaged more than 30 points per game, and the line has been a big part of that.

“Those guys are the heart and soul of our offense right now,” said offensive coordinator Tom Herman.

The Cyclones are currently leading the nation in sacks allowed this season, with just .33 per game. Although the offensive line may not be the only reason for that, it is certainly a big part of it.

“I think there are couple things that go into it,” said offensive line coach Bill Bleil. “Number one, we got a quarterback that does a nice job getting the ball out of his hand and not taking sacks. Number two, I think the offensive coordinator really understands protections, and number three, I think the kids take a lot of pride in being good at what they do.”

That does not just apply to their pass protection. The ISU running game has been rejuvenated this season, averaging 209.5 yards per game — 14th best in the nation.

“You can’t run the football without the offensive line,” Herman said. “To say that they are 100 percent responsible would be a falsehood, because our backs are doing an excellent job, our receivers are blocking down field great and our quarterback is making good decisions when he has to.

“I think it’s a team effort. Running the football requires all 11 guys to be on the same page and executing, but it starts up front, and those guys have really been the backbone on that.”

Although the line is blocking well, the coaching staff feels this group has even more potential.

“They are a young group, you know, Reggie [Stephens] being the only senior, I think the sky is the limit,” Bleil said. “I think they can just keep getting better.”

Despite their youth, the team members have been able to excel in a new offense.

“I think they have come a long way,” Bleil said. “Obviously, with the new system, new scheme, new concepts, it wasn’t always all ice cream and Jell-O. They have really worked hard. They have spent a lot of time, not only with us, but by themselves. They want to be corrected, they want to be coached and they are really good. In all honesty, they understand football and they can make a lot of corrections themselves.”

Another reason for their success is their continuity.

“The difference is that we were rotating a lot of guys, trying to fit people into certain positions just to get them on the field a little bit last year,” Stephens said. “I think this five has really played the majority of the snaps. Brayden Burris has gotten in a little bit, Trey Baysinger has gotten in a little bit, but for the most part we have come together as a cohesive unit because of all the snaps that we have taken together.”

As the line becomes more cohesive, it is beginning to pick up steam.

“Their pride is growing, and when pride grows and the statistics back it up, your confidence grows and you start playing better,” said coach Paul Rhoads. “I think so far they have been the steadiest position group at this point in the season.”