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New-look Trojans to hit the field Saturday
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By ARIY-EL BOYNTON, Sports Editor
| 09/25/2009 |
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The Dakota State Trojans have gone through quite a bit of change in the last three weeks, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Only five starters have kept their same positions from the original 2-deep depth chart. The Trojans will have new starters when they host Black Hills State in a DAC Conference game on Saturday at Trojan Field.
It's DSU's homecoming and it will be DSU's second home game. The Trojans lost 21-20 to the University of Minnesota-Morris here on Sept. 12.
"We did make some changes of personnel. Some were forced upon us, some not. Some things are out of our control, but the two things we can control are attitude and effort," said Josh Anderson, DSU's coach. "We'll make sure to control those two things."
Middle linebacker Steel Armstrong quit the team. Nose guard Chris Schiller has an injured neck and could be out for the season. Niko Fonoti was declared academically ineligible. Some have lost their spots to other players.
"Defensively I think we're going to be OK. We knew that there were going to be changes, but that's football. We've got 100 percent faith in our replacements and we'll play with the guys we've got," he said.
The Trojan offense is going through changes as well, as DSU (0-2) looks for its first victory.
Starting quarterback Paul Bagala struggled in the second half against Minnesota-Morris, and in the first half of their 41-7 loss to South Dakota School of Mines on Sept. 19. For Saturday's game, he's been replaced by junior Fort Worth, Texas native Ed O'Connor.
Anderson said the game was too fast for Bagala, and O'Connor just makes plays.
"I'm pretty excited to give Ed this opportunity," said Anderson.
So is O'Connor.
"It's going to be pretty cool on Saturday. I know homecoming is a fun time for everybody, but I'm just going to focus on the game. A win would mean a lot to me and the guys on this team," he said.
With O'Connor at the helm, the Trojans are going to display a new-look offense in front of alumni.
"You'll see a whole new offense this Saturday. We're running zone everywhere. That's what Ed is better at, that's what our tailbacks are better at, and it's more efficient for our offensive line, who aren't big enough to move guys like they're supposed to. It's just all around better for us," said Anderson.
Quicker plays and a simpler strategy will also be in DSU's game plan to beat the Yellow Jackets for the first time since 2004, when DSU won 27-17 in Spearfish.
"We're just going to run plays faster, and hopefully that will be to our advantage," said Anderson.
O'Connor has run the offense in past years at DSU and in high school and says "he is comfortable."
Missing from the Trojans backfield last week was Joe Whealy, who started the first game lining up behind Bagala. On Sept. 14, Whealy made the switch from starting fullback to middle linebacker. The Chester native is excited for his chance to be in a lot of plays.
"I played linebacker in high school, and so when there was an opening at middle, I said I could hit some people on defense. It's an opportunity to get on the field 60 plays instead of 30," said Whealy. "With each practice my step is getting an inch closer, and this side of the ball is really fun."
In the first quarter of last week's game, Whealy came away with an interception, as did Joe Monize, who went from tailback to strong safety in the second game.
"Those two guys are giving us depth in some spots where we desperately need depth," said Anderson.
If the Trojans want to beat one of the better teams in the DAC conference, they'll have to hang on to the ball. DSU has fumbled 11 times so far.
Anderson's goals are simple for his team on offense.
"No fumbles and four yards a carry," he said.
At halftime, DSU will present annual awards to outstanding alumni.
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