Hawks trying to solve offensive problems

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Hank Biesiot has simple coaching philosophies.

One of them is the team which can hold onto the football better is the team that’s going to be on the winning side.

Easy enough, right?

Yet through two games this season, as Dickinson State has been the team having trouble hanging onto the ball — and it’s shown on the scoreboard. The Blue Hawks enter Saturday afternoon’s game against Montana State-Northern having lost their first two games, both against Frontier Conference opponents.

“A lot of it was assignments and not finishing,” said Biesiot, in his 37th season as head coach. “Not finishing some blocks. Those are things I thought were key. Turnovers always bother a coach.”

In two games, DSU has seven turnovers — four fumbles and three interceptions — and has turned the ball over on fourth down five times.

“That is more turnovers than we’ve had in some years,” Biesiot said.

Presley Straub, a senior running back who made a position switch this season after spending the past two years as a receiver and defensive back, has two of the fumbles. Junior college transfer running back Myren Moore had another on a pitch in the end zone from senior quarterback Dave Velasquez.

“I think it’s just little things,” Straub said. “Maybe we’re, on pitches, looking to run the ball before we catch it. Things like that. Things we shouldn’t be worried about until after we get the ball.”

While DSU’s defense has done quite a bit to keep it in games, the offense has had its troubles staying consistent.

In both of its losses, the Blue Hawks had great early game scoring drives but its offense sputtered as the game wore on.

“We’ve been moving the ball really well,” Straub said. “Then, down the road, it’s one or two plays that kill a drive and put us in the dumps. We just need to get those out of our system and be able to continue having drives on down the road.”

The Blue Hawks have converted just 29 percent (9 of 31) of third downs, which is third-lowest in the Frontier.

DSU is averaging 340 yards per game, second to last in the league, and it ranks dead last in passing yards with 271. Eastern Oregon, second to last, has 407 yards in two games.

Not all of that is Velasquez’s fault, Biesiot said.

His three interceptions were forced into coverage as the Blue Hawks played from behind and coaches said he has stuck the football into the numbers of his receivers at least eight times this season, only to have his passes dropped.

“We’ve got to start catching a few more balls,” Biesiot said. “Drops are part of the game. There’s going to be some great catches in there too. They’re coming at times when they’d be first downs. You’ve got to fight and play through that.”

Sokolski’s career off to strong start

At 6-foot-2, 175 pounds, freshman Jaylen Sokolski isn’t an intimidating safety in the DSU secondary.

But he sure gets the job done.

Through two games, Sokoloski ranks third on the team with 13 tackles and had his first career interception in last Saturday’s 28-13 loss to Montana-Western.

“I’ve been going around trying to make a few plays,” Sokoloski said. “I’ve made a few mistakes, but for the most part, I think I’ve played pretty well.”

DSU’s move to the Frontier has necessitated a need for a strong pass defense.

So far, despite two losses, DSU has been solid in that aspect.

They’ve allowed just 206 yards per game — second in the league — against a pair of teams with spread offenses in Rocky and Western.

Montana State-Northern presents more of a balanced offense, and Sokolski said that’s something DSU’s defense is prepared to face.

“It’s the same for every team,” he said. “Each team can run, each team can pass good.”

DSU package helps fans fly to Southern Oregon game

Next week, the DSU football team will hop on a plane for the first time in school history for its trip to play new Frontier Conference opponent Southern Oregon.

The university is hoping it can persuade some fans to come along for the ride.

Fans can purchase a travel packet for $549 per person that will get them from Dickinson on Friday, Sept. 21 to the game in Ashland, Ore., on Saturday, Sept. 22 and then back home.

The package includes transportation from Dickinson to the Billings (Mont.) Logan International Airport, flying with the team to Medford, Ore., double occupancy overnight lodging at the Red Lion Motel in Medford, transportation to and from the airport in Medford, transportation to and from the game in Ashland and admission to the DSU Alumni and Foundation tailgating event before the game, the flight back to Billings and ground transportation from Billings to Dickinson.

For more information or to purchase the package, contact DSU athletic director Tim Daniel at 701-483-2181 or at tim.daniel@dickinsonstate.edu.

Notes

Senior tight end Nate Zachmann is out 2-4 weeks with a right shoulder separation. He has three receptions for 25 yards and a touchdown. ... Senior receiver Tanner Leak is third in the NAIA in all-purpose yards per game with 176 He ranks in the top 25 nationally in nine different receiving, return or all-purpose categories yet doesn’t rank first in the Frontier Conference in any statistical category.

“That is more turnovers than we’ve had in some years,” Biesiot said.

Presley Straub, a senior running back who made a position switch this season after spending the past two years as a receiver and defensive back, has two of the fumbles. Junior college transfer running back Myren Moore had another on a pitch in the end zone from senior quarterback Dave Velasquez.

“I think it’s just little things,” Straub said. “Maybe we’re, on pitches, looking to run the ball before we catch it. Things like that. Things we shouldn’t be worried about until after we get the ball.”

While DSU’s defense has done quite a bit to keep it in games, the offense has had its troubles staying consistent.

In both of its losses, the Blue Hawks had great early game scoring drives but its offense sputtered as the game wore on.

“We’ve been moving the ball really well,” Straub said. “Then, down the road, it’s one or two plays that kill a drive and put us in the dumps. We just need to get those out of our system and be able to continue having drives on down the road.”

The Blue Hawks have converted just 29 percent (9 of 31) of third downs, which is third-lowest in the Frontier.

DSU is averaging 340 yards per game, second to last in the league, and it ranks dead last in passing yards with 271. Eastern Oregon, second to last, has 407 yards in two games.

Not all of that is Velasquez’s fault, Biesiot said.

His three interceptions were forced into coverage as the Blue Hawks played from behind and coaches said he has stuck the football into the numbers of his receivers at least eight times this season, only to have his passes dropped.

“We’ve got to start catching a few more balls,” Biesiot said. “Drops are part of the game. There’s going to be some great catches in there too. They’re coming at times when they’d be first downs. You’ve got to fight and play through that.”

Sokoloski’s career

off to strong start

At 6-foot-2, 175 pounds, freshman Jaylen Sokoloski isn’t an intimidating safety in the DSU secondary.

But he sure gets the job done.

Through two games, Sokoloski ranks third on the team with 13 tackles and had his first career interception in last Saturday’s 28-13 loss to Montana-Western.

“I’ve been going around trying to make a few plays,” Sokoloski said. “I’ve made a few mistakes, but for the most part, I think I’ve played pretty well.”

DSU’s move to the Frontier has necessitated a need for a strong pass defense.

So far, despite two losses, DSU has been solid in that aspect.

They’ve allowed just 206 yards per game — second in the league — against a pair of teams with spread offenses in Rocky and Western.

Montana State-Northern presents more of a balanced offense, and Sokoloski said that’s something DSU’s defense is prepared to face.

“It’s the same for every team,” he said. “Each team can run, each team can pass good.”

DSU package helps fans fly to Southern Oregon game

Next week, the DSU football team will hop on a plane for the first time in school history for its trip to play new Frontier Conference opponent Southern Oregon.

The university is hoping it can persuade some fans to come along for the ride.

Fans can purchase a travel packet for $549 per person that will get them from Dickinson on Friday, Sept. 21 to the game in Ashland, Ore., on Saturday, Sept. 22 and then back home.

The package includes transportation from Dickinson to the Billings (Mont.) Logan International Airport, flying with the team to Medford, Ore., double occupancy overnight lodging at the Red Lion Motel in Medford, transportation to and from the airport in Medford, transportation to and from the game in Ashland and admission to the DSU Alumni and Foundation tailgating event before the game, the flight back to Billings and ground transportation from Billings to Dickinson.

For more information or to purchase the package, contact DSU athletic director Tim Daniel at 701-483-2181 or at tim.daniel@dickinsonstate.edu

Notes

Senior tight end Nate Zachmann is out 2-4 weeks with a right shoulder separation. He has three receptions for 25 yards and a touchdown. ... Senior receiver Tanner Leak is third in the NAIA in all-purpose yards per game with 176 He ranks in the top 25 nationally in nine different receiving, return or all-purpose categories yet doesn’t rank first in the Frontier Conference in any statistical category.

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