Weston Dressler has caught 11 touchdown passes this season, which is tied for the most in UND regular-season history. He leads the North Central Conference with 56 catches. And his 863 receiving yards also are the most of any league receiver.
His most memorable catch came in Cedar Falls, Iowa, where he turned a simple over-the-middle pattern into a game-winning 50-yard touchdown pass in the final minute as the Sioux stunned NCAA Division I-AA Northern Iowa.
A lot of his memorable catches, however, have been helped by strong perimeter blocks that have been forgotten or haven't been recognized during UND's 7-1 season one that again could include a trip to the Division II playoffs if the Sioux take care of business Saturday at struggling St. Cloud State.
Dressler's 11 trips to the end zone and his big gains on simple bubble screens result, in part, because of the blocking from UND's other receivers Brady Trenbeath, Lee Groeschl and Martin Tatom.
"They do a lot of things that are overlooked," Dressler said.
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Unsung heroes
The other receivers have played a big role in UND's offensive success.
They rank far behind Dressler in catches. But what they do away from the ball is just as important as what Dressler and Sioux running backs do with the ball.
"The whole key to our big-play potential is having a good perimeter blocking game," UND coach Dale Lennon said. "The way to measure their success is by our big-play production."
And UND certainly has had some big plays in recent weeks.
Dressler caught 21 passes for 333 yards and four touchdowns in UND's last two games. UND also rushed for a season-high 240 yards last week against Minnesota Duluth, a fact associated with solid perimeter blocking by receivers.
"We do so much with our perimeter screen game," Lennon said. "The onus of those plays is on the blocking of our receivers."
Solid freshman
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Trenbeath, a freshman, has become one of the league's more physical blockers. He has the top bench press for Sioux receivers at 295 pounds.
"He's a young player and one who played a lot of sports in high school," Lennon said. "Now, he's getting the chance to hit the weightroom and develop his strength."
Perimeter blocking doesn't earn many headlines, but it has helped keep the Sioux in contention for a league title and another trip to the playoffs.
"A lot of people think our only job is to catch passes," Trenbeath said. "But we put a lot of emphasis on receivers getting bodies on bodies. It gets overlooked, but it's very important."
Trenbeath, a former Cavalier (N.D.) High School standout, was on the field during Dressler's touchdown reception against Northern Iowa. "It was a 2-yard route, but we got bodies on their safety and cornerback and that sprung Weston," Trenbeath said.
Attention to detail
Groeschl, meanwhile, is one of UND's more versatile athletes. The senior from Fond du Lac, Wis., was recruited as a quarterback but switched to receiver early in his career.
The ins and outs of perimeter blocking aren't acquired overnight, Groeschl said.
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"It takes patience and good footwork," he said. "And you have to understand the blocking schemes."
UND has as much speed at receiver and running back as it's had in recent seasons.
Dressler and Sioux freshman running back Ryan Chappell are two of the fastest players in Division II. Chappell runs the 40 in 4.37 seconds, while Dressler's time is 4.46 seconds.
"Any time you have a pitch play or an outside run, the running back is making his break off of our (blocking) position on the field," Groeschl said. "If you have speed guys like we have in Weston and Ryan, you can get them an extra 20 yards or so by making your block."
Nelson reports on sports. Reach him at 780-1268, (800) 477-6572 ext. 268 or wnelson@gfherald.com .
