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Offensive linemen come to work every day knowing they won't be in it for the glory from the outside.
However, on the inside, their backfield is usually the first people to point out the success of the five players up front.
Although the unit has had its struggles in the first four games of the Big Ten schedule, the starting five of Malachi Goodman, Trevor Buhr, Brock Riker, Cooper Cousins and Anthony Donkoh may have put up their best 60 minutes of the season last weekend against Purdue.
The Lions ran for 269 rushing yards, led by Cam Wallace's 135 rushing yards, in the 31-17 win over the Boilermakers. Carson Hansen added 96 yards on 17 carries.
"Credit to our coaching staff over these past two weeks," Cousins said. "They put together a great gameplan for all of us. We went out there and we executed to the fullest."
When Wallace was asked about the offensive line's effort last weekend, he described them as gritty.
"Those guys come to work every day at practice," Wallace said. "Working on all the details, whether it's footwork, coming off the ball with their first step and second step. Those guys lock in on the details. It showed up tonight. I did my job. They did their job. It all worked how it's supposed to work out.
"I give it to the O-line up front, man. They did their thing, and the tight ends, too."
Cousins said the effort put up against Purdue just seemed to be a long time coming.
"I think we've been making strides every week," Cousins said. "No matter what the outcome was, I think we've been getting better every single week, whether that's in practice or on the field.
"We were getting push collectively from the five up front. Our tight ends did a great job. We played a good football game."
It's all a dream for Cousins, who explained that a lot of football players usually dream of being a star skill player. Many dream of scoring the key touchdown in a big game or making an interception as a defensive back.
Offensive linemen have contact on every play. They communicate with everyone next to each other. They protect the quarterback, which is the most important position on the field.
And for Cousins, he wouldn't have it any other way.
"A lot of people don't play offensive line. I don't think that's their first choice," Cousins said. "But when you're thrown into the position and experience what it is and what it's like to be an offensive lineman, I think it's the best position on the field."