There was a time in the not too distant past when people loved to beat up on the Clemson offensive line.

Talk radio show callers whined. Message board goers moaned.

Opposing defensive linemen asserted their will, prompting complaints from the hardcore fans and blocking aficionados.

Clemson has allowed 10 sacks this season, which is tied for 26th-best in the country. The Tigers’ run game is 24th, averaging 215 yards per game.

Tony Elliott called the starting five a cohesive unit.”

“They’re having fun. Jay (Guillermo), I would say, is probably the leader up there,” Elliott said. “He keeps everybody fired up, very comical, but in a good way, so I lean on him throughout the course of practice. ‘Alright, Jay, let’s wake the guys up.’ He’s the vocal leader.

“Then, you’ve got (Eric) Mac Lain, who’s playing his best football. He’s a very vocal leader. He’s a straight-laced guy, does everything by the book. It’s just fun to watch those guys.”

Wayne Gallman, the team’s leading rusher, has 702 yards. Deshaun Watson, who’s second, has 332. Zac Brooks and C.J. Fuller have 150 and 111, respectively. The foursome has combined to score 12 touchdowns.

“They’re creating a new line of scrimmage for us. They’re sound in their assignments. There’s not a lot of mental busts,” Elliott said of the linemen. “They’re having fun. It’s not always as pretty as you want it, but it’s effective. They’re covering guys up and then the backs are finding the creases. It just looks as if everybody is together and they’re on the same page.”

From Mitch Hyatt, to Mac Lain, Guillermo, Tyrone Crowder and Joe Gore, the unit has plenty of individual talent, even on the second-team.

“We knew the influx of the freshmen was going to bring a lot of competition to the group,” Elliott said, “But just the way that they’re communicating and everybody is on the same page.”