Dickinson State left guard Rob Boor sat down with the rest of his team's offensive linemen earlier this week and had a discussion.
"We had a talk the other day about just having some discipline and doing what we need to do when we need to do it and come together as a unit," Boor said. "That's the important thing right now."
The Blue Hawks' offensive line has been under fire by coaches and fans for the team's rushing woes and lack of offensive production.
Entering today's game, the Blue Hawks are at the bottom of the Dakota Athletic Conference in both total offense and rushing.
DSU averages about 230 yards of offense per game while only gaining 88 yards on the ground.
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Boor, a 6-foot-3, 320-pound junior and a second-year starter, said the offensive linemen know what needs to be done.
"We need to finish our drives," Boor said. "We just need to keep our motivation and keep on driving."
Midura will start at QB today
Despite a shaky performance against Minot State last Saturday, DSU coach Hank Biesiot said he's sticking with junior Caleb Midura as the Blue Hawks' starting quarterback.
Midura was only 4 of 19 with three interceptions and 37 yards passing in the Blue Hawks' 22-7 loss to the Beavers.
"I don't think we're going to make any changes," Biesiot said. "I think we'll play two quarterbacks in the next game, no matter how well everything goes for who starts."
Backup quarterback Matt Gittings, who has doubled as a receiver this season, played the second half and completed 9 of 17 passes for 107 yards and an interception. He also carried the ball six times for 32 yards.
Biesiot admits he's more than willing to bring in Gittings later in the game.
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"Matt plays effectively off the bench," Biesiot said. "He's given us a boost every time he's came off the bench."
Injuries take a toll on running backs
The Blue Hawks' rushing woes could get worse today if James Macey has to sit out.
The 5-foot-11, 215-pound junior tailback pulled a hip flexor earlier this week in practice and is considered a game-time decision.
The Blue Hawks are already without running backs Derek Beadle (broken left hand), Zach Hepperle (torn Medial Collateral Ligament) and starting fullback Michael Williams (leg). All three players are currently considered out for the rest of the season.
If Macey can't play, it leaves the Blue Hawks with fourth-string senior Punk Humphrey at tailback and redshirt freshman Reed Lambert at fullback.
Redshirt freshman Jeremy Herr, who had been moved to defensive back earlier this year, is the only other tailback on the Blue Hawks' active roster. Junior Marty Waggoner and senior Brandon DeSanti - both of whom rarely see the field - are the only other fullbacks.
Biesiot said he considered pulling true freshman Tyler Grosz's redshirt, but former Mott-Regent standout sustained a non-football related injury over the weekend.
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The coach added the Blue Hawks may be forced to move other defensive players to the position if Beadle's injury is season ending.
