In the first two games of the ISU football season, the running game combined for 140 yards. It was a dismal start for a group that many saw as inexperienced and unproven.

But the poor start to the season may not have been entirely on the running backs’ shoulders.

After Iowa State’s loss to Iowa, a game in which the Cyclones ran for 63 yards, ISU football coach Paul Rhoads attributed part of the woes to the offensive line’s inability to move defenders and create holes.

“When you don’t get people blocked and have holes to run through, it’s hard to have a successful running game,” Rhoads said after the game.

Then a change occurred.

The offensive line started moving players to the side, creating more holes for running back Mike Warren to run through. It started to do its job more effectively.

And the numbers directly correlated.

In Iowa State’s third game of the season against Toledo, Warren ran for 126 yards — his career high.

His next game against Kansas was even more impressive as he broke more career highs and some school records, running for 175 yards. 

The recent breakout is mostly attributed to Warren’s ability. The offensive line’s role goes under the radar when a running back explodes. However, the success of Iowa State’s offensive line made a big impact on the running back’s success.

“[The offensive line] is a very big piece of it,” Rhoads said. “You don’t have to have a chart full of pancakes to have a great game as an offensive lineman. Sometimes you can just keep a guy busy. A good running back can slip right by that.”

And that’s exactly what the offensive line has been doing in the last two games.

The coaching staff has noticed the offensive line creating more distractions in the trenches and double blocking defenders. More improvements have been noticed when the lineman block in the second layer or past the defensive linemen.  

A unique position that includes five players working as a unit relies heavily on chemistry when it comes to the success of the offensive line.

That’s good for the offensive line, which has seen an uptick in chemistry since the beginning of the season. 

“I think that they’re starting to become a cohesive unit with good chemistry,” ISU offensive coordinator Mark Mangino said. “One offensive linemen’s success might be dependent on the success of the guy next to him. So you need a chemistry that all successful offensive lines have.”

The chemistry doesn’t just stop with the linemen.

A running back and his line need to be in sync along the way. Warren and players on the offensive line have a good relationship and have witnessed a boost in morale from recent success.

“Just seeing those guys happy makes me happy,” Warren said. “It’s like a marriage. If it’s going good, then everything else is going good.”

Warren’s success has put a spark in the guys blocking for him. Some football fans may not see what the offensive line does, but the team takes notice. 

“It is fantastic seeing [Warren out there],” said offensive lineman Jake Campos. “He’s getting his confidence, and we’re getting a little swagger to us. To see him go out there and dominate like that is something special because we get to run after him and celebrate with him after the play.”

Despite the recent success of the players in the trenches, work always needs to be done. Something can always be improved.

“I’m really happy the way they’re progressing,” said Mangino. “We’re not where we need to be. Our standard is really high here, and the O-line is no exception. They keep improving every week. What else can you ask for as a coach?”