Minot State University football coach Paul Rudolph said the Beavers' lack of speed last season was glaring.
So the MSU coaching staff plucked a couple of quick receivers from junior colleges in California, yielding immediate results.
Glyn Borel (De Anza College) and Wayne Peters (Pasadena City College) are the Beavers' top two receivers this season and have scored four of the team's five touchdowns.
"It was pretty apparent that we needed to find more speed," Rudolph said. "We'll find speed wherever we can find speed, as long as they can play."
The 5-foot-6, 150-pound Borel leads MSU (0-3) with 196 receiving yards and a 15.08 yards-per-catch average. Peters (5-9, 180) has a team-high 15 catches and is second with 187 receiving yards. Both players are juniors.
"I feel like I bring a lot of speed," Borel said. "One of the things (Rudolph) tells me is, 'Get outside. Use your speed. Use your speed.' I feel like that can cause a lot of havoc in a defensive side, blowing by people and having to cover me. I feel like I make it a little more difficult for a defense to have to scheme on our offense."
Borel turned a simple pass over the middle into a 64-yard touchdown against the University of Sioux Falls (S.D.) on Saturday by blowing by the USF defensive backs before they could react.
The MSU offense has given each receiver touches in the running game via sweeps and reverses. Peters has six carries for 33 yards (third on the team) and Borel has rushed four times for a total loss of three yards.
Both players agreed that Borel is the faster player and Peters is quicker. Rudolph said they have similar skills, but "G.B.'s got more straight-line speed and Wayne's got better hands."
Borel has proven a dangerous kickoff returner, and opposing teams have taken notice. After three returns for 153 yards in the Beavers' season-opening loss to Minnesota State University-Mankato, he got just one return opportunity in the next two games.
Teams would rather kick to freshman Randel Barber, who has 12 returns to Borel's four.
"I'm just waiting so they can kick me the ball again," Borel said. "I tell Randel all the time, I'm like, 'You need to return one so they can stop kicking to you and kick it to me again.' "
The sure-handed Peters returns punts, which are tougher to catch, but hasn't broken a long runback.
Peters said the MSU passing game is improving. The Beavers scored 20 points Saturday against the USF, exceeding the 16 points they posted in their first two games combined. MSU also racked up 18 first downs, compared to 22 total in its first two games.
"The first and second week we were still struggling on plays and getting to know the schemes and things like that," Peters said. "I think now everything's feeling a little more comfortable so hopefully we'll be good this week."
The Beavers play at Upper Iowa (1-2) at 3 p.m. on Saturday.