Fresno State's starting offensive line changed again this past week, leaving coach Tim DeRuyter with a somewhat unsettled feeling.

He would have preferred that three players had emerged to join returning full-time starters Austin Wentworth and Cody Wichmann by Saturday -- the 12th of 15 spring practices. But injuries and inconsistency have forced the Bulldogs to continuously shuffle the lineup and to test their depth three-deep at some positions.

But one strength it appears the line can build on is the leadership and steady efforts that left tackle Wentworth and right guard Wichmann have displayed while helping the younger players get acclimated to potential starting duty.

"Austin and Cody have been consistent," DeRuyter said. "They're starters and good football players. We've got to find that next group to get in there. It might not be until the fall when we get it all straightened out."

As of Saturday, Fresno State's starting line consisted of:

-- Wentworth (6-5, 299 pounds, a senior next season)

-- Left guard Bo Bonnheim (6-2, 279, sophomore)

-- Center Lars Bramer (6-5, 275, senior)

-- Wichmann (6-6, 318, junior)

-- Right tackle Justin Northern (6-5, 279, sophomore)

Alex Fifita, who started the final four games of 2012 at right tackle as a freshman, was among those who sat out Saturday. So did junior college transfer Patrick Kim.

"We need those guys to get back in the fold," DeRuyter said.

Fresno State, for now, has had to reorganize its priorities on the offensive line, focusing more on sustaining blocks and working as a unit and less on tempo, which was heavily emphasized last spring.

Like Wentworth and Wichmann, Bramer is used to the fast pace of the Bulldogs' no-huddle spread offense. He started the first seven games last season before being suspended for violating an athletic department policy (then losing his starting role).

It has been more of an adjustment for Bonnheim and Northern, though both have shown improvement in recent practices, as evidenced by them joining the No. 1 group.

"We're shuffling on the offensive line quite a bit, trying to find our best five," Wentworth said. "Couple of guys have stepped up. Bo has stepped up a lot from where he was last spring. The big one is Justin Northern. He's really putting it together.

"I'm really impressed with those young guys. I think they're going to be a big part of our success this year."

Wentworth believes the key for the group is improving its ability to keep up with the offense's desired fast pace, which should develop in time.

"You saw it last year: The faster you go, the more you wear a defense out," Wentworth said. "If you look back to the New Mexico game, we got down 21-0 quick. Offensive line said, 'Let's just run as fast as we can.' And they couldn't hang. They died out."

Fresno State won that game 49-32.

"That's something coming into last spring, not being used to the no-huddle, we were kind of iffy whether it was going to work or not," Wentworth said.

"But that's a huge advantage to us. When we get everybody back, we'll need to work on that more."

SPRING FOOTBALL

THE REAL CALIFORNIA MILK SPRING GAME

Saturday: Noon, Bulldog Stadium

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