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Heading into the Indiana game, the of- fensive tackle depth chart was nearly ex- hausted, and the quandary was what to do if Palmer or Wright were to have a hel- met pop off and had to sit out for a play. Who would go in for one play so that true freshman Will Fries wouldn't have to burn his redshirt playing briefly in one of the last games of the season? Against In- diana, Fries didn't even travel with the team. Despite the challenges, they've continued to press forward and spearhead a resurgent offense. Gaia, a senior, is the clear leader of the group, while freshmen Bates and McGov- ern have helped bolster the guard posi- tions at which players have rotated frequently the past few seasons. Following the team's 359-yard rushing effort against Iowa, McGovern was honored as the Big Ten Freshman of the Week. Only two other offensive linemen in conference history have won the weekly award. His injury sta- tus after the Indiana game was unclear. Although his performance wasn't ac- knowledged by the conference, Bates' continued progress throughout the sea- son has provided an added push for the middle of the Nittany Lions' offense – and also on the edge when he's had to make impromptu appearances at tackle. "From when we played Kent State, I've come a long way," Bates said after the Iowa game. "Against Kent State, that was my first start. I was a little timid. That was my first college football game play- ing, and I was a little timid. Each week I've progressed and I've gotten better and better in understanding what the defense is trying to do to our offense now. It helps having nine games under my belt, and I can only get better from here." One of the line's more noticeable col- lective improvements, at least on the stat sheet, has come in the pass game. For two years, Penn State was the team that sur- rendered more sacks than anyone in the Big Ten. This year it ranks middle-of- the-road. It's not quite the end goal and it's not where the coaches or players want to rest, but it's enough to add to the line- men's confidence. For McSorley, the one who benefits from the improved play, their added belief in one another – starter or backup – and in the offensive scheme has helped most. "I think that's the biggest thing, seeing them on the sidelines and in practice, and just how they jell with each other, talking to each other and their body language," McSorley said. Ask the coaches, and there's another factor that has contributed to the turn- around. That's McSorley himself. The linemen will be the first ones to say the protection hasn't been perfect. Better, yes, but not perfect. But it's McSorley's knack for avoiding large losses and ex- changing negative plays for short gains that has balanced many of the mistakes. "I think probably the biggest difference is the mobility we have at the quarterback position," Franklin said. "That is able to solve some of our problems when he can step up in the pocket. The threat of the quarterback running the ball has helped those guys. It's a part of what we do of- fensively." For a unit that hasn't been immune from setbacks, any help it can get is wel- come. ■ FIRING LINE From left: Gaia, Bates and Palmer get set to run a play against Ohio State. The Lions rushed for 122 yards and a TD against the Buckeyes. Photo by Steve Manuel

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