Dickinson, ND – The Dickinson State University Blue Hawks defeated Dakota State University 34-14 on Homecoming Saturday afternoon. The win moves Dickinson State to 3-2 on the season and 3-0 in NSAA play.
"It was a very good homecoming win," stated head coach Pete Stanton. "We knew it was going to be a battle and it was. We had two big defensive plays in the third quarter that turned the tide for us."
How It Happened
Dickinson State received the opening kickoff and went on a 13-play, 75-yard drive capped off by a Riley Linder two-yard touchdown run. Jace Johnson made the PAT and the Blue Hawks led 7-0 with 9:29 left in the first quarter. Both teams struggled offensively to find their grove when the Blue Hawk defense came up with a big play on an interception by Reece Hoherz. The offense cashed in off the turnover when Drew Boedecker found Kaden Kuntz on a 30-yard touchdown pass. Johnson made the PAT and Dickinson State led 14-0 with 14:24 left in the second quarter. Dakota State picked off Boedecker pass and turned it into points cutting the lead to 14-7 with 10:52 to go in the first half. Neither team scored the rest of the quarter and Dickinson State went into halftime with a 14-7 lead.
The Blue Hawk defense came out of halftime fired up and forced a turnover on the first possession for Dakota State. Javonte Oliphant picked off a Dakota State pass and returned it 52-yards to set up a short field for the Blue Hawks. Drew Boedecker ran it in from one yard out but the PAT was missed and Dickinson State led 20-7 with 12:43 left in the third quarter. On the next possession, Dakota State was driving deep into Blue Hawk territory when Deavon Crawford scooped up a fumble and returned it 75-yards for a touchdown. Johnson kicked the PAT and Dickinson State led 27-7 with 7:52 to go in the third quarter. After another Blue Hawk defensive stop, the offense went on a 7-play, 81-yard to drive to extend the lead. Alec Lovegren ran it in from 12-yards out and the PAT was good and Dickinson State led 34-7 with 3:53 left in the third quarter. Dakota State added a late touchdown but the Blue Hawks came away with a 34-14 win.
INDIVIDUAL STATS
Dickinson State racked up 337 yards of total offense on the day. Drew Boedecker completed 16 of 30 passes for 208 yards and one touchdown. Riley Linder led the Blue Hawks on the ground with 70 yards on 14 carries. Tyger Frye led the receiving core with 93 yards on seven catches.
Defensively, Nick Miller and Reece Hoherz led the team with five tackles each. Keaton Meschke and Matt Anderson each recorded a sack in the game. Javonte Oliphant and Hoherz each recorded interceptions on the day as well.
SCHEDULE
The Blue Hawks next game with be Saturday, October 16th when they take on Iowa Wesleyan at home. Kickoff is set for 1:00pm MT.
Follow the game LIVE: WATCH LIVE
Listen to the voice of the Blue Hawks: KDIX RADIO
