Valley City, ND – The Dickinson State University Blue Hawks out-scored Valley City State 12-0 in the fourth quarter to secure the 26-14 victory Saturday afternoon. The victory moves the Blue Hawks to 8-0 and gives them their 6th straight North Star Athletic Association football championship.
The Blue Hawk offense took the wind in the first quarter and took full advantage as they opened the game with a 13-play, 75-yard drive capped by Drew Boedecker finding Tyger Frye in the endzone on a 14-yard touchdown pass. Jeremiah Paine's PAT was good and the Blue Hawks led 7-0 with 8:01 left in the first quarter. The Dickinson State defense forced two straight three-and-outs and the first quarter ended with the score 7-0 in favor of the Blue Hawks. The second quarter was much of the same as the Blue Hawk offense continued to roll when Riley Linder ran it in from 3-yards out for the touchdown. Linder's run capped a 10 play, 74-yard drive by the offense. Jeremiah Pain's PAT was good again and the Blue Hawks led 14-0 with 10:37 left in the second quarter. Reese Hoherz blocked a Valley City punt to set up good field position for Dickinson State but the Blue Hawks were unable to get any points on the next drive. The Blue Hawk defense forced another stop and Dickinson State went into the half up 14-0.
Valley City State mounted a come-back in the third quarter with the wind on a 9-yard touchdown pass that cut the Blue Hawk lead to 14-7 with 10:02 remaining in the third quarter. A Dickinson State special teams fumble gave the Vikings a short field to work with and the home team cashed in off the turnover with a two-yard touchdown run. The extra point was good and the score was tied at 14 with 6:51 left in the third quarter. Dickinson State couldn't get any offense going into the wind and Valley City State was driving for another touchdown when Reese Hoherz forced a fumble on the one-yard line. Hoherz recovered the fumble to keep the Vikings off the scoreboard. A short Blue Hawk punt into the wind gave Valley City State short field again but couldn't convert on a 27-yard field goal and the score was still tied 14-14 heading into the fourth quarter. Once the Blue Hawk offense got the wind behind them, the passing game came back to life. Drew Boedecker found Jaret Lee on an 18-yard touchdown pass in the corner of the end-zone to retake the lead. The PAT was no good and Dickinson State led 20-14 with 9:49 left in the game. The Blue Hawk defense forced a three-and-out on the next Viking drive to get the ball back to the offense. After a fourth down stop by the Vikings, the Blue Hawk defense again flexed their muscles when Nick Miller recorded a sack on a fourth and long play. Drew Boedecker scored on a QB sneak from one-yard out two plays later. The 2-pt conversion was no good and Dickinson State led 26-14 with 2:14 left in the game. Valley City State had one last chance to get points but an interception by Javonte Oliphant ended the game for the Blue Hawks.
"Really proud of our players for getting it done. Winning isn't easy. The conditions were brutal. Our backs were against the wall in that third quarter and we were fortunate. Our guys made some championship plays in the fourth quarter. A great team win," stated head coach Pete Stanton.
Individual Stats
The Blue Hawk offense compiled 321 yards on the afternoon. Drew Boedecker was 18-27 for 168 yards and two touchdowns. Jaret Lee led the way with six receptions for 101 yards and one touchdown. Tyger Frye had four catches for 26 yards and one touchdown as well. Boedecker also led the rushing attack with 68 yards on 16 carries and one rushing touchdown. Riley Linder carried it 17 times for 46 yards. The Blue Hawk defense was led by Nick Miller with 7 tackles on the day. Miller also recorded a sack and two tackles for a loss. Presley Piliati had six tackles with two sacks in the game. Evan Henke recorded a sack for the defense as well.
Schedule
The Blue Hawks are back in action next Saturday, November 7th as they take on Presentation College. Kickoff is set for 1:00pm
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