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Trojans lose 19-3 on gridiron
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By ARIY-EL BOYNTON, Sports Editor
| 10/13/2009 |
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After their 19-3 loss to Valley City State on Saturday, Dakota State University football players and coaches walked around the DSU Fieldhouse but said few words. Their long faces showed their frustration after falling to 0-5 on the season.
"There's a great deal of frustration, from the players to the coaches," said Josh Anderson, DSU's coach.
While the Trojan offense scored only three points on a 44-yard Stacey Berg field goal, the defense played good enough to win, according to Anderson.
After allowing 123 points in the last three games, DSU allowed a season-low 19 points, 13 of which came off Trojan turnovers.
Andy Derilus scored off a 1-yard touchdown in the first quarter for the VCS Vikings. Michael Mcatee had a 60-yard rush later in the fourth quarter to put the game away. Trent Kosel added a touchdown pass to Matt Crane late in the second quarter.
"I thought defensively we played better. Guys we're playing hard and making plays. There's four more games left in the season and it's important we play as a unit. We need 11 (players) strong each play on both sides," said Joe Whealy, who led DSU with seven unassisted tackles. "Holding a team under 20 points is a step in the right direction."
"I along with my teammates want a win. That's why we spend so much time in practice and that's why we play the game. We want a win," said Whealy.
Valley City State earned its first victory of the season after losing the first four games. The Trojans want the same result in the coming weeks.
In order for the Trojans to beat Jamestown, Dickinson State, Mayville State or their opponent in the DAC Football Jamboree at Fargo, N.D. they will likely have to score more than seven points, something which they haven't done since Sept. 12.
According to Berg, who also plays wide receiver, the Trojans need to cut down on mistakes in order to be successful.
"We did OK, but we need to stop shooting ourselves in the foot," he said. "Every mistake we make is us doing something stupid. We just need to fix that and we'll be in a lot better shape. We have a lot of chances; we just need to get points off those chances."
The Trojans had four turnovers (including three fumbles) in the game and only 23 yards rushing.
"This isn't the situation we want to be in. We shut ourselves down more than anything. We ended up hurting ourselves with just mental mistakes. It isn't one person," said Anderson. "I'm not happy with us putting the ball on the ground. For us to come into the game and have 18 fumbles in four games, and then four more this game, is very, very frustrating. It's something we stress in practice and in the game. We talk about it before the game, at halftime and the kids know, but somehow the ball finds the ground again.
"Right now on offense we are our worst enemy."
The Trojans had 192 yards passing -- 67 more yards than their average -- and also had two interceptions.
Twice, Valley City State was closer than 20 yards from their end zone and DSU recovered a fumble.
"We just need to watch tape of this game and fix our mistakes," Anderson said. "But there was good and bad that happened. After a loss, you mostly think of what you should do different or missed assignments. Our tackling was better and we fixed some things. I was glad to see that."
DSU quarterback Paul Bagala completed a season-high 17 passes in the game.
"Paul made some adjustments and made some plays happen, and I'm proud of that," said Anderson.
After the game, Berg admitted to being frustrated and wants a win, but not just for himself.
"These guys have been busting their butts and stuck around when others quit. I know I and the younger guys want to give them a win."
Following the game, a few fans on the DSU side yelled criticism toward the Trojans. Anderson said that the yells crossed the line.
"We can't have dissension in the ranks, and that includes families, because kids' parents are a part of this team," said Anderson. "Now is the time we find where the character of this team is at and who's going to be a part of it.
"It's easy to be in control of the ship when the waters are smooth, when things are going your way. When you hit the rough patches is when you find out who's with you and who isn't. We already have enough issues we need to address, but we don't need things to fall apart within. So those are the big things, to let everybody know this isn't where we want to be. But we don't have time to be blaming other people. Our players are hard-nosed kids, and they got a lot of heart and a lot of passion. Wins and losses don't define us as a team and they don't define us as individuals. Losses are frustrating, but they don't define us."
DSU will travel to North Dakota to face Jamestown at 1 p.m. on Saturday.
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