A simple formula for Penn State success:

When the Nittany Lions rush for more than 150 yards this season the result has always been the same.

Penn State wins.

Things have not added up for Lions talented trio of tailbacks, though, as their rushing attack has been grounded with an offensive line that has changed its starting lineup like it changes its uniform.

It started with Jordan Caruso's fainting spell. And it ended with Matt Schmitt's knee injury. But now healthy and a starting unit — of Imani Bell, Gus Felder, Eric Rickenbach, Joe Hartings and Kareem McKenzie — set, the offensive line can perpetuate the cohesiveness it generated the past two weeks.

"The whole offensive line will get better," Joe Paterno said.

And it has some depth now that sophomore Joe Iorio, a center who started five contests last season but has been sidelined for most of this season following a summer bout with mononucleosis, has returned and Schmitt has returned as a reserve guard and middle man.

That gives quarterback Rashard Casey more time and opens holes for slasher Eric McCoo to cut through as he vies to garner the first 1,000-yard season of his three-year career.

"They have matured just as everyone else on this team has matured," McCoo said.

"Once they got together and played as one unit, they have come to know each other real well. That helps everyone."

It helps the receivers. It helps the rushers.

And it helps the linemen themselves.

"It just builds momentum for the offensive line and the offense as a whole and the defense," McKenzie said.

"It really gives everyone more momentum."

That is why Penn State accomplished two tasks it has not achieved all season. The Lions won away from Beaver Stadium and they won two consecutive contests.

But they still have three more and must win all three to qualify for the postseason.

The Lions rushed for 182 yards and passed for 208 more against Illinois in their 39-25 win against the Fighting Illini. And Penn State accumulated 359 total offensive yards (161 rushing, 198 passing) in its 27-24 win against the Hoosiers, including a timeout-less two-minute drill that was capped by a 39-yard Ryan Primanti field goal to prevail against the Hoosiers.

The reason for the success?

"The offensive line is doing a better job," converted wide receiver Kenny Watson said.

"They finally got the cohesiveness with the offensive line."