After a lackluster performance in the 1999 season, Notre Dame's offensive line cannot wait to show Irish fans that it's ready to rumble.

"We've been licking our chops waiting for this season to kick around," senior right tackle Kurt Vollers said. "Last year was a learning year, to say the least. I think we've really had a strong offseason."

The dynamics of the offensive line have changed drastically over the past year.

While last year's offensive line squad featured only one player with a career start to his name in John Merandi, this year's crew is just the opposite. Every player has started at least three games for the Irish with the exception of center Jeff Faine, who has never seen game action at Notre Dame, fifth-year seniors Jim Jones and Mike Gandy have each started ten or more games, left tackle Jordan Black has started nine and Vollers has started three.

"We have a lot more maturity on the offensive line this year," head coach Bob Davie said. "We have an awful lot of players who have started and played before."

Last year's offensive line struggled to adjust to the graduation of key veterans Mike Rosenthal, Luke Petitgout, Tim Ridder and Jerry Wisne. In the process, the Irish offense suffered.

While the Irish ranked 26 in the nation in rushing offense at 181.5 yards per game in 1999, those numbers are heavily skewed due to running romps against Kansas and Oklahoma.

The Irish offense recorded 30 turnovers and allowed a dismal 18 quarterback sacks for 125 yards.

This year, the Irish are determined to turn things around.

"I think we've emphasized a lot of pass protection, especially in the past couple weeks," Black said. "We're coming into our own niche as far as pass protection."

Now some of the more experienced players on the squad, the members of the offensive line believe their game time will benefit the rest of the team.

"It all starts in the front," Vollers said. "If the O-line plays well, everyone else doesn't have to play as well."

One of the key differences after playing together for an entire season is a greater team rapport.

"This year, we all have a genuine respect for each other," Black said. "Last year, we were just friends, but this year, we really respect each other."

Despite the improvements, things are not all rosy on the offensive line.

Black and Jones both dealt with torn ligaments over the past year and Vollers suffered from a neck injury.

In addition, it is always a concern putting a player in the starting lineup who has never played a down at the Division I level.

"Any time you go into the game with a new center and a new quarterback, you worry about ball mechanics and exchanges," Davie said. "But Jeff Faine's a talented player and so is Arnaz Battle. At some point it has to be their first game."

Notre Dame's offensive line will get its first test of the season Saturday against a Texas A&M defense powered by seniors Roylin Bradley and Rocky Bernard, who tally 55 tackles for losses and 27 quarterback sacks between them.

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