MORGANTOWN – West Virginia University’s offensive linemen and Mountaineer coaches considered Saturday’s win over Oklahoma State the best line had played so far this season. The numbers back it up.

WVU racked up season highs in rushing yards (389) and total yards (558) and had the best scoring output of the season against a Football Bowl Subdivision opponent in the Mountaineers’ 38-14 win over the Cowboys in Stillwater. Yet the offensive lineman didn’t need the numbers to know how well things went.

The group’s chemistry entering the game was excellent, according to one of WVU’s most decorated linemen. They hope to keep that going as they face another nationally ranked foe, No. 11 Iowa State, at 8 p.m. Saturday in Morgantown (Fox).

“That was the best we’ve run the ball, for sure,” senior left tackle Wyatt Milum said. “It just goes back to all the preparation throughout the week, the practice, the film study, the scout team looks. All of that comes together for a great game.”

Saturday was the fifth time in the last two seasons West Virginia (3-2, 2-0 Big 12) has rushed for more than 300 yards and the seventh time it has gained at least 500 total yards. Much of that had to do with the Mountaineers’ offensive front, one that had to replace two huge pieces in the offseason.

Both center Zach Frazier, an All-American now starting for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and longtime starter Doug Nester, who is currently on the Steelers practice squad, both graduated. As much as they’re missed, Milum said the rest of the offensive line roster has stepped in to fill the void.

That’s happened, he said, because the O-line room is filled with veterans. Of the top 10 offensive linemen entering the season, seven of them are redshirt juniors or older. Among the five starters – Milum, center Brandon Yates, tackle Nick Malone and guards Tomas Rimac and Ja’Quay Hubbard – there are 178 games played and 100 starts between them.

“We’ve got an old group,” Milum said. “We had a lot of people that have played a lot of snaps on the offensive line. So it wasn’t like we were bringing in all new guys. These guys have played some snaps, so the chemistry has already been building up.”

It’s gotten to a point, Milum said, that the linemen sometimes don’t even need to say a word to each other. He said that’s been the case between him and left guard Tomas Rimac. They’re that comfortable and accustomed to each other, he said.

Offensive coordinator Chad Scott could tell Saturday that his line was playing its best. It was the group’s most consistent performance, he said. Everyone was on the same page and communication among the players was excellent.

There were times, Scott said, that the chemistry in the offensive line room could have gone south. There have been struggles, such as the Penn State game, where WVU’s offense could muster just 85 rushing yards and 246 total and gave up two sacks in a 34-12 loss. Yet those veterans wouldn’t let it happen.

“Credit those guys, too, not being frustrated,” Scott said. “There were times where it was easy to get frustrated, to get disappointed, not being able to see the results they intended to see.

“Those guys continue to be consistent, staying persistent, staying with it.”

The offensive line’s chemistry is coming together at a crucial time. The Cyclones (5-0, 2-0 Big 12) boast the No. 6 scoring defense in the Football Bowl Subdivision, allowing just 10 points per game, as well as the No. 13 total defense in the Football Bowl Subdivision, allowing 271.6 yards per game.

Milum said West Virginia’s offensive line is up to the daunting challenge, especially because of the trust those players have in each other.

“You can always count on the guy beside you to do their job,” Milum said. “No matter if things are going good or things are going bad, you can always count on the guy to your left or your right.”

West Virginia will play another night game against a nationally ranked foe Oct. 19, when the Mountaineers host No. 18 Kansas State at 7:30 p.m. The game will be played either on Fox or FS1. The network will be determined following WVU’s game against Iowa State.