Copy of story from Minot Daily News (link)

Week 3 feels like regular season

By MICHAEL LINNELL, Sports Editor mlinnell@minotdailynews.com

On the calendar, the Minot State University football team's Week 3 matchup with fellow Dakota Athletic Conference foe Black Hills State University says “nonconference.”

Don't fool yourself, warns Beavers head coach Mike Sivertson. It feels like the first week of conference games.

“That's what it says, but it hasn't felt like that all week,” Sivertson said referring to nonconference designation. “It sure feels like a conference game. I'm sure it is the same thing for them.”

The DAC decided to have each team play another twice to help with scheduling. All of the games in the league are against the same conference opponent as the final week in the season.

Game time is set for 1:30 p.m. today at Herb Parker Stadium.

Both the Beavers and the Yellow Jackets are 0-2 and both can't afford to go 0-3 on the season. The week is especially important for the Beavers as they have the nonconference game at home, while the conference tilt will be on the road.

“We think it is a good thing to be at home,” Sivertson said. “We want to start a home winning streak. It was a tight one last year.”

The Yellow Jackets eked out a one-point win at MSU last season, but BHSU is much different — especially on offense — this season.

“They lost some skill guys, so offensively they are a little different. They lost (tight end)Zac Alcorn, who is with the Green Bay Packers so you know what kind of player he was,” Sivertson said. “Their QB, (Erik) Osborne is new and their fullback is a D-I transfer. Their overall scheme isn't going to change much.”

Neither is MSU's, despite the 0-2 record. Sivertson believes that his team isn't very far off from being 2-0, which has made the start even more frustrating. Two weeks ago, special team's miscues did in the Beavers, last week it was an old nemesis — the turnover.

“We are concerned with the turnovers,” Sivertson said. “We have an awareness that it is something we just can't do and win games. We have to secure that.”

When the team moved the ball, one big key was the emergence of wideout Josh Kringen. Kringen finished with over 100 yards in receiving last week against Bemidji State.

“Josh is getting to the point where he understands where we are, understands defenses and has the size to be a very good receiver,” Sivertson said. “He runs good routes. Josh is a promising guy that we are counting on.”

While the Beavers have given up 28.5 points per game, the defense hasn't played too poorly. MSU has actually outgained its opponents by 20 yards despite losing two games.

“We are still learning. We have improved in the secondary,” Sivertson said. “But we need to focus on 11 guys being on the same page.”