Last season, Nebraska averaged only 96 rushing yards per game, and quarterback Zac Taylor was sacked 38 times.

It wasn’t like that at all in Nebraska’s season-opening blowout of Louisiana Tech, as the offensive line gave a vintage performance that allowed the Huskers to rush for 252 yards.

Senior center Kurt Mann said it  was that much easier out there.

“It shows what a couple years’  difference makes,” Mann said. “Everybody’s been in the system now, and we all have a better grasp of it. The fact that we all know what we’re doing now lets everybody go out and play hard.”

Senior guard Greg Austin concurs and said the line is that much more comfortable with the system and gave the running backs some big holes.

“We were very effective,” Austin said. “Our game plan coming into the game was to run the ball effectively, and I believe we did. We practice, practice and practice. We are so well prepared for the game that when it comes to us going out there and executing, it’s just a matter of us doing it.”

It wasn’t just the running game that got going against the Bulldogs. Taylor received pass protection that allowed him to pass for 287 yards and three touchdowns.

Most importantly, Taylor wasn’t sacked — something he didn’t experience too much last season.

“Our goal is to have no sacks,” junior tackle Chris Patrick said. “We just want to let Zac sit back and make smart decisions.”

As pleased as offensive line coach Dennis Wagner was about the pass-protection performance, he said the line still has a long way to go.

“We’re obviously very proud of (the pass protection), but I mean, it’s one game,” Wagner said. “If you go back and look at last season, we didn’t give up any sacks, I don’t think, in the first game, either.”

However, last season’s opener was against Maine, a Division I-AA school.

Besides the line’s execution, depth is evident this season. Last season, the Huskers experienced  myriad injuries on the line and nine different players started.

Against the Bulldogs, 12 different Husker linemen saw action, and the second unit got extensive action in the second half. Two reserve linemen, sophomores Lydon Murtha and Andy Christensen, actually got some playing time in the first half.

After all the injuries last year, Wagner is pleased with getting numerous linemen in the game for experience and to keep the starters fresh.

“Our whole thought process going in was to try to develop depth, and get the second group prepared if we need them throughout the season,” Wagner said.

Now, as all the linemen have seen action early in the season, the competition figures to intensify in practice.

“(The depth) creates competition,” Wagner said. “Now, next week in practice, guys are going to have to go hard because someone right behind them is waiting to be on the field. I hope the whole year we’re able to do that type of thing so there’s an opportunity to keep guys fresh and compete for position.”

Reach Tommy Dahlk at 473-7431 or tdahlk@journalstar.com.