BEREA, OHIO --  A veteran Baldwin-Wallace College offensive line has led the way for the Yellow Jacket attack in 2011.  That veteran group has helped B-W average 28 points and 404 yards of offense through its first two games.

In addition, it has paved the way for two separate running backs each gaining 100 yards and for junior quarterbacks Ryan O'Rourke (Avon) and Andrew Dziak (Maple Heights/ Padua Franciscan) to complete 73.5 percent of their passes for 425 yards and four touchdowns.

"We returned almost our whole offensive line from last season," said Head Coach John Snell.  "That unit has played pretty well so far. They have created holes for junior running back Tyler Lohr (Kent/Roosevelt) and freshman RB Willie Jackson (Cirturs Springs, Fla.) and given both O'Rourke and Dziak  time to read the defense and deliver good passes. Their play has been a key to our offensive production so far."

The veteran cast includes seniors in center Jimmy Basar (Parma), guard Rudy Ackerman (Sheffield Village/ Brookside), tackle Travis Barnhill (Findlay) and All-Ohio Athletic Conference tight end Aaron Hurd (Tiffin/ Columbian).

"Our line takes great pride in its leadership," said Assistant and Offensive Line Coach Mark Jochum, who played collegiately at cross-town rival John Carroll University. "The guys are a very tight-knit group that also prides itself in working with, teaching and helping our younger players.  The entire group is one big, happy family.  As a coach, that is great to see."

Basar credits much of the success to the coaching of Jochum.

"Coach Jochum has really helped me and all of the other lineman become much better players physically, technically and mentally," said Basar, a three-year varsity mainstay who is a physics major with a 3.26 grade average who intends on going on to graduate school next fall in the area of medical physics. "He knows the game of football and knows how to motivate us."

Continuing to sing Jochum's praises is Ackerman.

"One person who has made a difference in my time at B-W is Coach Jochum," said Ackerman, a criminal justice major who hopes to pursue a career in law enforcement following graduation. "Since becoming the offensive line coach, he has helped me to learn more about football than I ever have before."

 When both Ackerman and Basar were asked about their projection for their remaining senior season both knew they have a challenging season ahead.

"We have gotten off to a fantastic start, especially with a big win in conference play," said Ackerman, referring to B-W's 35-20 win last Saturday against OAC-rival Heidelberg University on Family & Community Night in Berea. "However, we need to remain focused and get our momentum building for the rest of the season. As an offensive line, we want to lead the conference in rushing and have the fewest sacks allowed."

Basar added, "I don't think we have played to our full potential yet. I think we are making some great strides and once we hit our potential, we are going to be real tough team to beat.

"We are focused on our goals of winning one game at a time," continued Basar. "If we do that [win one game at a time], we can achieve our other goals of winning an OAC title and making the NCAA Division III playoffs."

Now, that's good, solid leadership.   

FOR MORE B-W Sports Information, please contact Sports Information Director Kevin Ruple by telephone at 440-826-2327 and e-mail at kruple@bw.edu. or Assistant SID Jeff Miller by phone at 440-826-2780 and email at jefmille@bw.edu Fans can access the latest B-W athletics information at www.bw.edu/athletics and we invite you to join us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/bwyellowjackets and Twitter athttp://twitter.com/bwathletics.