FOOTBALL: Jones a deep threat for BSU

BEMIDJI -- A new face has stepped up to become a deep threat on the Bemidji State football team. Fans will likely recognize him for the long locks that flow from his helmet on touchdown receptions.

Landon Jones is the only Beaver to have scored a touchdown in each of the team’s four games. Those four touchdowns have gone for 71, 66, 15 and 66 yards.

The senior wide receiver has already recorded two 100-yard receiving games through his four games, including 175 yards on four catches with a 66-yard touchdown reception in last week’s 26-19 double-overtime loss at No. 11 Minnesota Duluth.

Jones leads NCAA Division II with 34.5 yards per catch among receivers with at least two catches per game. The transfer from Auburn, Wash., is on pace to break BSU’s single-season record for yards per reception, which was set by Blake Holder in 2016 with 24.53 yards per catch.

“Just great ball placement. The quarterback has a lot of time,” Jones said of how he always seems to be open on deep throws. “The O-line, they give him plenty of time to actually get the ball just in the perfect spot.

“And when I see the ball in the air, everything slows down and I just kind of chase it down.”

With the BSU run game churning at an NSIC-leading 267.5 yards per game, sometimes a deep ball is exactly what the Beavers need to throw off opposing defenses.

“People are scared of the deep ball, and people are scared of our receiving corps just going out and making catches,” Jones said. “It opens up that box for our running backs to go right up the middle or wherever they need to go.”

Jones had bounced around prior to his arrival in Bemidji this season, going from Cerritos College in California to Central Washington University last season.

In only four games, Jones has already made an impact at BSU.

“I felt everyone kind of agreed that maybe I could play a big role in taking the top off of some defenses,” Jones said. “It’s just the chemistry. I just fit in with the team, and I make a decent impact along with everyone else.”

Cross-division play begins Saturday’s game at Wayne State marks the beginning of cross-division play between the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference North and South Divisions.

The Wildcats (1-3, 1-3 NSIC South) are the first of four South Division opponents the Beavers (3-1, 3-1 NSIC North) will meet over the next month.

BSU is coming off its first loss of the season after a double-overtime shootout in Duluth, while WSC has had some extra time to recover from a 29-7 road loss at Concordia-St. Paul last Thursday.

The Beavers won the most recent meeting between the schools, 45-17, in 2016. BSU has not visited Wayne, Neb., since a season-opening 35-13 loss in 2014.

Prior to this season, cross-division matchups took place at the start of the season. Beavers head coach Brent Bolte is glad the NSIC made the change.

“I love it to be honest with you,” he said, “because, mainly, the games really mean a lot more. Which in some ways is tougher, because if you lose right off the bat game one or two, then you’re behind the eight ball trying to win the North Division.”

Bolte also said the quarterback situation is likely to remain the same as the last two weeks. The Beavers have rotated in junior Jared Henning and true freshman Alec Ogden at quarterback.

“It depends on kind of probably how the game’s going, which one gets the hot hand,” Bolte said. “All things considered, they’re both going to be playing pretty much all year long.”

BSU vs. WSC Who: BSU at Wayne State

Where: Memorial Stadium, Wayne, Neb.

When: 1 p.m. Saturday

Radio: Beaver Radio Network/92.1 FM