Improving line looking to get physical this season

The football team is second in the Big Ten in total offense and scoring offense. That's not surprising at first glance.\nA case can be made for IU having the most skill on the offensive side of the ball in the Big Ten. The Hoosiers feature the conference's best duo of fullbacks (senior De'Wayne Hogan and sophomore Jeremi Johnson), an explosive tailback (junior Levron Williams) three big-play wide receivers (seniors Versie Gaddis, Derin Graham and Jerry Dorsey) and a human highlight film of a quarterback (junior Antwaan Randle El). \nBut those who know football realize offensive success starts up front with the big guys. And heading into the 2000 season, one of IU's biggest question marks was its offensive line.\nAfter three games, the line hasn't been drop-dead awesome, but it has played well enough for the Hoosiers (1-2) to average 38 points a contest. \n"We're getting better and that's been our goal all year," sophomore left tackle A.C. Myler said. \nHeading into the season, sophomore right tackle Enoch DeMar was the only player with collegiate experience as an offensive lineman. There was some experience on the line, but the problem was the game-tested players had experience at other positions. \nMyler played as a defensive lineman and junior center Craig Osika was the Hoosiers' starting tight-end in 1999. IU's other two guards, freshmen Sione Ohuafi and Anthony Oakley, saw no action last season.\n"I told you we are going to be good and we are still going to be good," Myler said. "We are going to be good really soon. I like the progress we're making."\nAfter the Hoosiers first three games against North Carolina State, Kentucky and Cincinnati, the line has allowed a conference-low three sacks.\n"We haven't arrived on the line because I don't think we've been tested," coach Cam Cameron said. "We've seen some undersized fronts that moved with some angles."\nThe offensive line will be tested Saturday when IU begins Big Ten play against Iowa (0-4). The Hawkeyes (0-4) battled with No. 1 Nebraska, trailing just 14-13 in the second quarter before falling 42-13. All four starting defensive linemen for the Hawkeyes weigh more than 260 pounds and are taller than 6-foot-2.\n"It's the Big Ten, and there's no joking about it, they're a physical team," Myler said. "Nebraska is a physical team, but Iowa played physical with them. They're going to play physical with us"