At the start of the season the biggest question mark for ISU head coach Dan McCarney may have been the offensive line.

It’s still one of the concerns, but McCarney’s breathing a little easier these days.

After losing starters Marcel Howard, Cory Hannen and Lorenzo White by eligibility, and offensive coordinator/line coach Steve Loney to the Minnesota Vikings, spots needed to be filled.

Things looked even worse when Luke Vander Sanden, a projected starter at right guard, broke his left ankle two weeks before the season opener against Florida State.

“With three starters from last year and Luke, that is four guys that you’ve got to replace,” McCarney said two weeks ago. “As a unit they’re definitely making improvement. We’re doing a lot of good things and I’m proud of them. We’re not deep, and as you know, we’re not playing a lot of guys in those games.”

The gutsy group, whose achievements at times may go unnoticed, consists of Zach Butler, Bob Montgomery, DeWayne Johnson, Casey Shelton and Cale Stubbe.

Together they have paved the way for the offense to average 6.5 yards per play and 4.1 yards per run. They’ve also helped block for 12 rushing touchdowns so far this season.

Senior center and co-captain Zach Butler said he’s getting used to having to prove that the offensive line can compete.

“Every year that has been said,” he said. “We just keep proving people wrong. It started with Troy Davis getting 2,000, yards then Ennis [Haywood] had back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons.”

Butler said the things taught by new offensive line coach Marty Fine have re-energized the group.

“Coach Fine has pounded into us the idea of toughness as opposed to technique,” he said. “With that tougher attitude we are trying to get better every day in every way.”

That toughness has allowed quarterback Seneca Wallace to pass for 1,138 yards and has made room for Hiawatha Rutland to run for 403 yards through four games this season.

Iowa State’s offense is currently averaging 469 yards per game – good for 11th in the nation.

Those numbers could be improved as Vander Sanden began practicing Monday and may come off the bench to play against Troy State.

He’s been running at full speed since last week.

McCarney said Vander Sanden, who is ahead of schedule from a rehabilitation standpoint, would see action Saturday if he has a solid week of practice.

He was impressed with the player’s commitment while not being able to play.

“He’s stayed on top of everything,” McCarney said. “He hasn’t missed a meeting, he hasn’t missed one play out there. I know he knows what he’s doing, and I can’t remember the last time he had a mental error. It’s just a matter of going out and doing it now full speed.”

The addition of Vander Sanden at right guard would probably send Montgomery to left guard, McCarney said.

“Having Luke back will help us a lot,” Montgomery said. “It will give us more depth at guard, and we can switch things up if we want to.”