By Robbie Neiswanger
Arkansas News Bureau • rneiswanger@arkansasnews.com

FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas’ starting offensive line opened the 2010 season with an interesting mix.

There were the veterans — seniors DeMarcus Love, Ray Dominguez and Wade Grayson — who had seen and experienced plenty in their careers. Then there were the rookies — redshirt freshmen Alvin Bailey and Travis Swanson — who toiled away on Arkansas’ practice squad a year earlier and were eager to make their college debuts.

Naturally, it took awhile for the five to mesh together as a unit. The growing pains were obvious. But Dominguez had a unique way to describe how well they’re working together now as Arkansas (10-2) prepares to play Ohio State (11-1) in the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 4.

“It’s really poetry in motion,” Dominguez said.

It’s hard to imagine 300-pounders making anything look artistic, but Arkansas sure has applauded the beauty of its big uglies. The five starters have logged 12 consecutive starts together, which is a rare feat.

But Love said toughness has pushed them through.

“A lot of times you see guys, they miss games and they have maybe an injury or they’re hurting,” Love said. “But you know, not with these guys. Guys played through pain. Sometimes guys weren’t feeling their best but we were able to come out and get the job done.”

Along the way, the offensive line also has formed into a cohesive unit responsible for leading the Razorbacks.

“We were fortunate,” Arkansas offensive coordinator Garrick McGee said. “They all stayed healthy the whole season. They had nicks, but nothing that kept them out. I think that’s what keeps your offense together when you can keep an offensive line together the whole time.”

It certainly wasn’t an easy task.

What proved to be the dominant product in the regular season finale against LSU was a painful work in progress at times. Tackles Love and Dominguez had loads of experience on the field, but flipped sides in the offseason and were adjusting to their new roles. Grayson, meanwhile, was working his way back from an injury that kept him off the field through most of spring practice.

Add in the fact there were two starters new to the field and the growing pains made sense. Especially with one of them — Swanson — serving as group director at center.

“Getting that continuity and chemistry took a little while,” Arkansas offensive line coach Chris Klenakis said. “But you knew in the big picture that was going to be the right matchup, the right guys working together.”

Arkansas’ offense sputtered at times throughout the first half of the season and the line’s performance was one reason. The Razorbacks averaged only 108.8 rushing yards through give games, hurting the attack.

The tipping point came in a disappointment performance against Texas A&M. Arkansas won the game 24-17, but the offensive line struggled down the stretch.

Klenakis said enough after the win, challenging his group to toughen up. Arkansas suffered a tough loss to Auburn the next week, but the group heeded his advice.

“We decided that we had to pick our game up,” Bailey said. “We put our list of goals up that we wanted to meet every week. Every game since then we’ve met every single one of those goals. Pretty much after the Auburn game is when we came together and started playing as a unit.”

Arkansas averaged 180.8 rushing yards in its final seven games. Running back Knile Davis’ confidence with the ball in his hands has played a big role in the success.

But the line’s performance has been noticed by all.

Arkansas watches a highlight film on Friday nights before each game and defensive coordinator Willy Robinson said the offensive line’s confidence has shown on the film.

“Our defensive guys are just laughing because of how many guys get tipped on the ground, knocked on the ground, knocked back, get cut down field,” Robinson said. “They’re extremely athletic up front, but they’re also very powerful at the line of scrimmage.”

There’s no doubt the line will be tested by Ohio State’s talented front, which has been dominant most of the year.

But even Ohio State coach Jim Tressel knows a line that has stuck together all season will present a challenge.

“They can almost make decisions based upon grunts and groans. They’ve been in it together,” Tressel said. “They’ve seen every blitz, they’ve seen every scheme.”

Klenakis said there’s still room for improvement, though, which was why he wasn’t cutting the group any slack during last week practice sessions.

Three members of the group will move on to try their hand at pro football after the Sugar Bowl, while Bailey and Swanson will return as 2011 leaders. But there’s one more thing left to accomplish — a perfect finish.

“Watch out cause we’re coming,” Dominguez said about the final game. “We have a great relationship. We know each other’s tendencies. We know each other’s strengths and weaknesses now and we just make each other better.”

Bowl Ticket
Who: Ohio State (11-1, 8-1 in Big Ten) vs. Arkansas (10-2, 6-2 in Southeastern Conference)
What: 2011 Sugar Bowl
When: Jan. 4 at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans
TV: ESPN
Series Record: First Meeting
Coaches: Arkansas — Bobby Petrino (23-14 in third season); Ohio State — Jim Tressel (105-22 in 10th season)