Greg Bzorek is more than a third-year starter at tackle for the Edinboro University football team.

The Knoch graduate is the ringleader of what coach Lou Tepper calls "one of the best offensive lines in all of Division II."

The Fighting Scots (6-2) began play this weekend ranked sixth in the Northeast Region. The top six teams earn Division II playoff berths.

Tepper acknowledges his team would be nowhere near such a position without his retooled offensive front.

"We graduated two all-conference caliber players from our line last year," Tepper said. "But we knew we had Greg coming back, and we built things up around him.

"He's having an outstanding year - an All-American caliber year. He's been that good."

Bzorek was a second team All-PSAC West performer as a sophomore last year and is a near-certain first team choice this season.

And that All-American tag sounds good to him.

"It's been one of my goals since I came here," Bzorek said. "If it doesn't happen for me this year, maybe it will next year."

At 6-feet-6, 315 pounds, Bzorek is only a junior and already has started 30 of the 31 games he's appeared in at Edinboro. He is in his second year as the Scots' starting right tackle.

Consider the following numbers:

Edinboro leads the PSAC with only seven quarterback sacks allowed.

The Scots lead the PSAC in red-zone scoring percentage, getting points on 32 of 36 possessions inside the opponent's 20-yard line. Of those scores, 25 have been touchdowns.

Edinboro averages 32.2 points, 389.9 yards and 203.6 rushing yards per game.

Running back Andre Burke has rushed for more than 200 yards in a school-record three consecutive games.

Quarterback Justin Bouch has thrown eight of his 12 touchdown passes in the last three weeks.

"Everything we're doing is because of our line," Bouch said. "Those guys are the best. There's been games where I feel like I haven't been touched.

"I think each time I've been sacked, it's my been my fault. I've either held the ball too long or turned the wrong way."

Bzorek said he's been able to maintain his high level of play in college because he plays with more emotion.

"Everybody has the physical talent up front at this level," he said. "You have to play with emotion. You have to want to succeed more than the guy across from you.

"You can't play nice out there. That's one thing I've always liked about football. It's the one sport where it's legal to hit somebody as hard as you can."

Bzorek does that early and often on Saturdays.

"Since seventh grade, Greg Bzorek hasn't missed a practice, a weight-room session or a team meeting," Tepper said. "That says it all about that kid.

"He has the size, strength, foot movement and he's a nasty guy on the field. Off the field, he's a true gentleman. He knows how to separate the two."

Bzorek is not alone at Edinboro. An older brother, Ron, is a senior listed at No. 2 on the depth chart at left and right guard.

Younger brother Josh is redshirting this year at right tackle, though he was originally recruited as a defensive lineman.

"Ron started our first game, then got beaten out by (redshirt freshman) Andy Young," Tepper said. "He hasn't pouted or quit. He still works hard and will do whatever to help the team.

"We worked Josh on defense all through camp and when we got a little thin in depth on the offensive line, we asked him to switch. Again, no complaints. Those guys are all cut from the same mold."

Two other Bzorek brothers - Joe at Clarion and Bill at Slippery Rock - preceded the current trio in the PSAC.

"It was tough for me at the start of the year," Ron Bzorek said of losing a starting spot. "But I'm still part of the team and I have to do my part to help the team.

"Greg's improved every year he's been here. He works hard in practice every day and in the weight room. He's earned everything he's gotten."

The youngest Bzorek hopes he can live up to his brothers' billing.

"Those guys have certainly set the standard," Josh Bzorek said. "I'll play offense or defense here, it doesn't matter. If it gets me on the field and helps the team, I'll do it."

Greg Bzorek hopes to set that standard a little higher in a couple of years.

"Football isn't work to me and I play to have fun, but if the (pro football) opportunity arises, I'd be foolish to not try to go for it," he said.

"I have plenty of room to get better. I can get bigger. I can get quicker. Our work here isn't done. A deep run into the national playoffs would be nice."

If it happens, Greg Bzorek will likely be leading the way.