In the first game against Maryland, the Terrapins defensive line, led by all-American candidate Randy Starks posed quite a challenge.

But, the line was confident.

The result was running back Michael Turner rushing for 90 yards.

Turner hasn’t gained less than than 134 yards since.

After the death of Shea Fitzgerald, Tim Vincent’s graduation and Matt McGhghy leaving the team, the offensive line returned only two starters in VerStraete and senior Todd Ghilani.

On top of that, the group began playing under new offensive line coach Sam Pittman.

Adversity is nothing new for this group.

“We are inspired by Shea,” sophomore Jake Ebenhoch said as he tapped the No. 76 patch on his jersey. “And coach Pitt teaches us everything we need to know.”

Things were even more in doubt when coach Joe Novak decided to go with two redshirt freshmen on the left side of the line.

“We came out of spring and made our presence known,” freshman guard Matt Rogers said. “We really came together.”

The two have continued to progress during the season.

Despite a few admitted errors, the young group has blocked for Turner, the conference’s leading rusher and Josh Haldi, the MAC’s leader in pass efficiency.

Regardless of these two stats, the group is far from happy with their performance.

A self evaluation by the foursome yielded only a 2.5 GPA.

Two B’s and two C’s.

But, it is what lies ahead for this group that has people excited.

“They have so much potential,” sophomore running back A.J. Harris said. “They block real well and they trust me. Even when Mike is not in there, they block hard for me.”

Harris, the heir-apparent to Turner will likely be the beneficiary of most of the line’s blocking in the future.

Harris has gained 38 rushing yards this season and has caught four passes out of the back field.

However, the team got a true indication of what he can do last season at Western Michigan.

With Turner out with a sprained right ankle, Harris became the feature back and set a career high with 99 rushing yards on 27 carries in a 24-20 win at Waldo Stadium.

For now, the group will continue to learn and improve from week to week.

They’ve learned to communicate, a trait which they all agree they’ve picked up from Ghilani.

“From spring to now, the thing we’ve gotten better at is communication,” freshmen tackle Doug Free said. “We are all on the same page out there.”

Getting on the same page has come sooner than anybody expected – anybody except the ones who really mattered.

“We have unlimited potential,” Rogers said. “We will grow physically in the weight room and with game experience. We have a lot of time to play together and by the end, we can play with anyone in the country.”

The group is also tight off of the field.

They’re together from the field to the film room to the dining room.

With the four linemen and Harris returning, life after Turner may not look so bad after all.