Dickinson, ND – The Dickinson State University Blue Hawks fell to the University of Montana Western Bulldogs by the score of 42-30. The loss drops Dickinson State to 0-2 on the season.
The football game started with a special team's error as Montana Western fumbled the opening kickoff and Jayden Heartwell recovered it for the Blue Hawks. The offense converted the turnover into points as Jace Johnson connected on a 20-yard field goal to put the Blue Hawks up 3-0 with 12:25 left in the first quarter. Montana Western answered with 10-play, 75-yard touchdown drive of their own to take the lead 7-3 with 8:28 to go in the first quarter. After both teams traded three and outs, the Blue Hawk offense came alive. Drew Boedecker found Alec Lovegren on a 27-yard pass to give Dickinson State the lead. Jace Johnson made the PAT and the Blue Hawks led 10-7 with 3:31 left in the first quarter. On the next possession, the Blue Hawk defense forced a turnover as Jayden Hartwell made a diving interception to get the ball back. The offense cashed in off the turnover on a 6 play, 80-yard touchdown drive as Boedecker found Kaden Kuntz on a 17-yard TD pass. The PAT was blocked but Dickinson State still led in the game 16-7 with 1:10 left in the first quarter. Montana Western fumbled the following kick-off and once again the Blue Hawks recovered. Riley Linder found pay dirt from one-yard out and Jace Johnson's PAT was good as the Blue Hawks led 23-7 with 14:58 left in the second quarter. Montana Western's offense answered quickly on a 69-yard touchdown pass of their own to cut the lead to 23-14 with 14:14 left in the first half. Montana Western then forced a fumble on the next Blue Hawk possession to get the ball back. The Bulldogs capitalized on the turnover on an 8-yard touchdown run to cut the lead to two at 23-21 with 9:26 to go in the second quarter. The Dickinson State offense would go three and out on the next possession but the Blue Hawk defense would force another turnover as Deavon Crawford picked off a Montana Western pass. Drew Boedecker found Noah Sickler, who made a one-handed grab, to haul in the 35-yard touchdown pass on the next play. The PAT was good and Dickinson State led 30-21 going into halftime.
The second half started with a great interception from Dawson McGlothlin to get the ball back for Dickinson State. Unfortunately, the Blue Hawk offense couldn't cash in off the turnover. Montana Western answered with a 9 play, 48-yard touchdown drive to pull within two at 30-28 with 8:15 to go in the third quarter. The Blue Hawks couldn't convert on a 4th and one on the next possession and the Bulldogs responded by scoring another touchdown to take the lead 35-30 late in the third quarter. The Blue Hawk offense couldn't get anything going in the 4th quarter and Montana Western tacked on another touchdown to win the game 42-30.
INDIVIDUAL STATS
Dickinson State racked up 448 yards of total offense on the day. Drew Boedecker completed 18 of 34 passes for 299 yards and three touchdowns. Riley Linder led the Blue Hawks on the ground with 13 carries gaining 39 yards. Conor McCarvel led the receiving core with five catches for 105 yards. Alec Lovegren, Noah Sickler and Kaden Kutz all had touchdown receptions on the day.
Defensively, Tel Lunde led the team with 10 tackles (9 solo, 1 assist). Nick Miller was right behind Lunde with nine tackles of his own. Jayden Heartwell, Deavon Crawford and Dawson McGlothlin all recorded interceptions for the defense.
SCHEDULE
The Blue Hawks next game will be September 18th as they take on Mayville State University in Mayville, ND. Kickoff is set for 12:00pm MT.
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