Miami University’s offensive line may be a bit unsettled, but it’s keeping quarterback Zac Dysert in a more comfortable place this season.

The RedHawks allowed a whopping 47 sacks last year, an average of 3.9 per game. Through three contests this year, they’ve given up eight sacks (2.7 average).

“Our guys have improved a little bit as pass protectors,” said Ed Stults, the offensive line coach for MU’s football team. “That just comes with another year’s experience, another year’s growth, another year of practice.”

The O-line is starting to experience some continuity with a lineup of left tackle Zach Lewis (6-6, 275), left guard Marcus Matthews (6-3, 310), center Brad Bednar (6-4, 292), right guard Trevan Brown (6-4, 289) and right tackle Josh Harvey (6-5, 348).

JoJo Williams, Matt Kennedy and Brandyn Cook have all gone down with injuries along the way. Williams played a little at Boise State last week, Kennedy might return to action Saturday against visiting Massachusetts, and Cook is out indefinitely.

“Because of the injuries and some moves, we’re still a work in progress,” Stults said. “That’s what we’re going to continue to be for a while. I’ve got no problem with how hard we’re working. We’ve just got to play a little bit better.

“Boise had a good front, and we did some good things at times in there. But we weren’t consistent enough. Consistency is what we’re looking for.”

Stults said what’s helped the line take a step forward has been the play of Bednar at center. He’s started all 41 games in his Miami career and began fall practice at right guard, but took over ball-snapping duties after Williams suffered a practice injury before the opener at Ohio State.

“Brad gives us a great presence there,” Stults said. “He really understands the protections. He knows where to help, when to help, when he’s got to solid-up on guys and when he can help other guys. He’s good at getting us into the right calls once Zac Dysert directs the protection.”

Bednar, a Mentor native, was the starting center in 2009 and 2010 (he played tackle last year). Stults was asked this: With Bednar playing as well as he is at center, do you think he would have moved back to that position eventually even if Williams had stayed healthy?

“That’s a good question,” Stults said. “Hopefully JoJo would’ve been doing great, and who knows? But it’s hard to speak to hypotheticals. I won’t do that.”

The RedHawks’ depth chart currently lists Jeff Tanner as the backup at both tackle spots, John Anevski as the backup at both guard spots, and Williams as the backup center. Stults said Williams is the No. 6 lineman right now, meaning he would likely join the lineup at center if there’s a guard/tackle injury, and Bednar would move to fill the opening.

“If one guy goes down, your next-best player goes in and you adjust with a guy,” Stults said. “Your goal is to play your best five guys.”

Dysert climbing: Miami’s quarterback is now 10th on the all-time Mid-American Conference passing list with 9,235 yards. No. 9 is Tyler Sheehan of Bowling Green with 10,117.

Dysert remains second in MU history. Ben Roethlisberger is now 1,594 yards away.

Honoring PB: The statue of coaching great Paul Brown will be unveiled at 9:30 a.m. Saturday in the Cradle of Coaches Plaza, located at the south end of Yager Stadium. Brown’s widow, Mary, will participate in the ceremony. The public is invited.

Paul Dietzel, Bo Schembechler, Weeb Ewbank, Carm Cozza, Ara Parseghian, John Pont and Earl “Red” Blaik have already been honored with statues in the plaza.