CORVALLIS -- As Oregon State football practice wound down on a warm Sunday evening, Gus Lavaka reached down toward a kneeling Fred Lauina and gently grabbed him by the ponytail.
The two offensive guards -- who stand out with their flowing locks -- are preparing to be an instrumental part of a line that could help push the OSU offense out of the Pac-12 statistical cellar.
The mood was light between the two linemen, but Lavaka acknowledged a missing element as their group nears the start of the season. The sophomore, who is also one of the Beavers' most experienced offensive players, said the line needs to consistently hone the on-field aggression exemplified by former left tackle Sean Harlow.