Haskell quarterback ryan alden (16) drops back to pass Saturday during Haskell Indian Nation University's home game against MacMurray. Alden threw for 373 yards, three touchdowns and four interceptions in Haskell's 44-26 loss.

Ryan Alden and Casey Wilson are still works in progress.

When they’re clicking, the Haskell Indian Nations University freshmen may be the most explosive pitch-catch duo in NAIA football.

Wilson caught 10 Alden passes for 192 yards and two touchdowns in Saturday’s 44-26 loss to MacMurray College at Haskell Stadium.

“He’s new and I’m new,” Wilson said, “so we’re still learning.”

A palpable affinity exists between Alden, a true freshman from Walla Walla, Wash., and Wilson, a red-shirt freshman from Forney, Texas.

“We know each other, and we know what we like,” said Alden, who made his first career start last Saturday against Bacone. “We have good chemistry.”

Alden blew hot and cold Saturday. He threw for 373 yards and three touchdowns, but also tossed four interceptions, lost a fumble and was sacked four times.

“There were a couple of meltdowns on my part,” Alden said, “and I’m going to get that fixed.”

In the two games Alden has started, he has thrown for 589 yards and six touchdowns. In the same span, Wilson has 17 catches for 292 yards and four TDs.

While Alden and Wilson were enjoying career days against the Highlanders, sophomore running back Quentin Haynes rushed for a season-high 112 yards on 14 carries.

In other words, Haskell accumulated 462 yards of total offense and still lost.

The offensive mistakes hurt, but the Indians’ defense also shared some of the blame by forcing just one turnover – a Micah Swimmer interception – and allowing a team that had lost 12 straight games to score 44 points.

HINU head coach Eric Brock, who also serves as defensive coordinator, wasn’t pleased with his players’ mental approach.

“The guys weren’t ready to play,” Brock said. “They looked bored. They looked like they were ready to get their pizza and go home.”

Haskell will try to bounce back next Saturday against Waldorf College.

“I expect passion next week,” Brock said. “I expect the guys to be up and ready to roll. We’re not experienced enough right now not to be passionate in every game.”