By Steven Shaff, NAU Media Relations

The offensive line is a unique group on any team. Their success is judged by other players' statistics and they often do not get mentioned until something goes wrong. But the position group at NAU has forged a special bond on and off the field that fuels their success.

It starts off the field. Senior Alex Mott and juniors Matt Wilson and Trey Gilleo joined senior tight end Brian Riley and senior defensive linemen Dan Pela and Isaac Bond working on the University's ground crew. Not only did they help prepare their own practice fields, they helped keep the Mountain campus clearn with their work across the campus.

While the work was tough, they have fun off the field together in every situation. The football program put an emphasis on student-athletes staying in Flagstaff this summer, preparing for the season with the Lumberjack strength and conditioning staff. Offensive line coach Eric Reid says the time spent together over the summer was just as important as their practice time.

"Whether we ask them or not, they stay," said Reid. "We put a bigger emphasis on the guys staying here, but they would have been here anyways. They all find time to barbeque or go to the Creek. It is fun for them. Nobody cares about the offensive line so they bond a little bit closer and are a tighter knit group because of it."

The 2011 offensive line group also has a special connection based on their backgrounds. Three of the starters are from Northern Arizona towns, bringing a love for the outdoors. Wilson is from Payson, where he helped his team win the state title on the Skydome field in 2008. Dwight Boyd is from Pinetop. He was an all-state selection at offensive and defensive line and state runner-up as a wrestler. Gilleo came to NAU from Kingman, developing into an All-Big Sky lineman. Mott hails from Troutdale, Ore., and Walker is from Tucson.

Like many people in the region, they love to spend time outdoors. The common interest led to a summer-long community service project working Lake Mary to remove evasive fish from the local fishing hole. The project was recognized by the Arizona Game and Fish department.

"We all worked together and we come up with a lot of great ideas," said Wilson. "We decided to do some evasive species removal and catch some pike."

Over the summer, they caught almost 50 pike in Lake Mary, helping keep the lake free of the non-native fish.

"We spent a lot of time on the lake doing some hard time for the community," joked Wilson.

While sophomore Kyle Walker and Boyd worked jobs off campus, the whole position group used their free time to bond for the 2011 season.

"Offensive line is that position where everyone has to know each other," said center Mott. "Being around each other you learn what people do without saying stuff. When we get on the line and a linebacker walks up, we know that person is on the same page and thinking the same thing. It helps you build that bond where you don't even need to talk. You know what the other person is going to do."

Quarterback Cary Grossart appreciates the comradery of the players protecting him and making room for the running game.

"They have been working together for two years," said Grossart. "They have done a great job. I have been able to have time and get the ball off. For throws down the field you need more time and they have provided that. They have been physical and everything I have expected from them."

The group takes pride in their quarterback protection.

"We had the whole summer to hang out," said Mott.  "When we came into fall, we are all best friends. We are best friends with the quarterbacks so we don't want anyone to get to them."

The protection extended to the practice fields when the group used their catching skills in another direction.

While the fishing was fun, the catch most remembered by the group is the gopher on the practice fields. They had an elusive gopher that required some chasing like Bill Murray's character in Caddyshack.

While they did not have to go to the measures Murray did in the iconic movie, they did finally catch the critter with one of their traps.

They hope to continue catching their opponents with their bait and traps all season long. In the end, they will celebrate together.