Cohesion has been a constant theme for the Penn State offensive line this off-season.

So to come together as a unit on the field, the offensive linemen have spent time together off the field.

During the summer — between preseason and spring practice — left tackle Quinn Barham said the line has been training Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings. The unit is awake at five to six o’clock in the morning running and doing drills.

Eating meals, studying the Bible and conversing via their Blackberry phones are some other activities the linemen partake in together, but they have also been taking lessons together — boxing lessons that is.

Barham said a boxing coach has been working with both the offensive and defensive linemen, though it isn’t the first year the non-contact lessons have occurred. The footwork and handwork in boxing helps the o-line improve in blocking, and Barham thinks it’s been beneficial so far.

“We work on balance and working on straight lines,” Barham said, “just getting a nice center of gravity and base. Boxing is very similar to offensive line.”