Tackles share common ground

Anchoring IU's offensive line are two massive tackles who would like nothing more than for coach Cam Cameron to call an inside running play.\n"We will execute what is called, but when we get that chance, we will lineup with you bone-on-bone, man-on-man and see who's the tougher character," said sophomore right tackle Enoch DeMar. "We like that."\nDeMar often gets the best of his exchanges with opposing defenders. At 6-foot-4, 320 pounds, DeMar has the size and athleticism to lineup with any defender in the Big Ten.\nSophomore A.C. Myler, DeMar's tag team partner and IU's starting left tackle, doesn't mind throwing around his 6-foot-4, 327 pound frame for the good of the team.\n"We want to test our manhood every game," Myler said. "We want to see if we can run the ball on you."\nDeMar and Myler have more in common than serving as the bookends on IU's offensive line. \nBoth players are experiencing position changes. DeMar, the lone returning player from last year's offensive line, started 11 games at left guard in 1999. DeMar played tackle in high school, but switched to guard in a high school all-star game.\n"It's a lot different," DeMar said of playing tackle compared to guard. "Tackle is not as active. You're not out there pulling, but when it comes to the passing game it's a real critical position."\nMyler's experience playing tackle is on the defensive side of the ball. In 1999 Myler served as a backup defensive tackle, recording two sacks. Cameron approached Myler about switching to offense before the start of spring practice. Myler played offensive line during his high school career at Detroit Northwestern High School, but never at the collegiate level.\n"High school and college are totally different things," he said. "There are no similarities at all. It's a learning process. I think I'm getting better every day." \nDeMar and Myler are also good at dealing with reporters. Put a tape recorder near either player and they produce more quality sound bites than almost any Big Ten coach. DeMar and Myler are both articulate and seem at ease when talking about the offensive line or any other part of the team. Ask Myler about the problems IU's defense is experiencing this season and he gives a detailed analysis from a former defensive player's perspective.\n"We had some problems last year and I kind of feel for them," he said. "Those guys work hard. A lot of people don't realize how hard those guys work. Those guys are trying to become a good defense and we are going to stick behind them the whole time. We're a team. We are going to need those guys to win."\nThe entire 2000 season has been a learning experience for the offensive line. Joining DeMar and Myler are two freshmen guards, Sione Ohuafi and Anthony Oakley and a center, junior Craig Osika, who started every game last season at tight end.\nWhile the line has experienced growing pains in IU's five games, it has displayed improvement. IU has scored more than 30 points every game and the Hoosiers rank 11th nationally, averaging 38.4 points per contest. It's doubtful any team could score at this rate with a struggling line.\nThe Hoosiers' 33 points in Saturday's loss at Northwestern was IU's lowest total this season. Despite IU's below-average point production, Cameron said three of the five offensive linemen played well enough for IU to win. But Cameron wouldn't say if Myler or DeMar were two of the three.\n"I think our offensive performance wasn't a negative from an offensive line standpoint," Cameron said. \nIU attempted a season-high 47 pass attempts against the Wildcats, which put more pressure on Myler and DeMar to protect junior quarterback Antwaan Randle El. IU's quarterback was sacked twice against the Wildcats, but the Hoosiers have allowed a conference-low four sacks this season.\n"We take it upon ourselves as a unit to protect Antwaan," Myler said. "That's Enoch and my thing. We don't want to see Antwaan getting off the ground. Unless he's running the option, Antwaan doesn't need to be on the ground"