DICKINSON, ND – Dickinson State kicked off its 2022 season with a tough loss against NCAA Division II Black Hills State University (1-0, 0-0). The BHSU defense held DSU without an offensive score to win 17-2.
Defense was the name of the game for the first half. A missed field goal by Dickinson State was the closest either team got to scoring and the game headed into half time tied 0-0.
The DSU offense threatened in the first quarter, but each of their three drives fizzled out in Yellow Jacket territory, resulting in a turnover on downs, a punt, and an interception.
In the second quarter, a Jayden Heartwell interception set up the Blue Hawks with a short field. Back-to-back pass plays to Alec Lovegren and Conor McCarvel put DSU in the red zone for the first time at the BHSU 18. The drive would end there, however, as 3 incomplete passes and the missed field goal prevented Dickinson State from taking an early lead.
DSU pushed into Black Hills territory again on its next drive, but an interception on the Black Hills 2 yard line on a deep ball thrown by quarterback Aaron White ended the drive.
In the second half, the DSU defense came out on fire. Back-to-back Yellow Jacket possessions ended with Dawson McGlothlin and Jermani Brown interceptions to keep the score knotted at 0. Unfortunately for the Blue Hawks, the BHSU defense held strong keeping the score tied.
Black Hills finally broke through midway through the third quarter, scoring the first touchdown of the game on a shovel pass from Aidan Willard to running back Nolan Susel.
A turnover on downs on DSU's next possession gave BHSU the ball right back, and they wasted no time scoring again on a 50-yard pass to Mitch McKibbin to take a commanding 14-0 lead.
The Blue Hawks answered with their best drive of the day to start the fourth quarter. 4 complete passes, a Braden Zuroff run, and a couple Black Hills penalties got DSU down to the 1 yard-line on first down. However, the Yellow Jacket defense held strong again, stuffing the Blue Hawks on 4 straight plays earning the turnover on downs.
The DSU defense would get the Blue Hawks on the board the very next play however, as Krew Mathern and Riley O'Donnell got into the backfield to take down Susel for a safety.
The Yellow Jacket defense held strong, however, as the Blue Hawks wouldn't see the red zone again. BHSU added a late field goal for the final tally.
Aaron White went 31-53 for 275 yards in his 2022 debut, but 2 interceptions proved costly. McCarvel led the receiving core, catching 11 balls for 155 yards. Braden Zuroff had 8 rushes for 20 yards to lead DSU on the ground.
Krew Mathern proved why he is one of the best linemen in the nation, gathering 3 sacks and 5.5 tackles for loss to lead the Blue Hawk defense.
WHATS NEXT
The Blue Hawks return to action next Saturday, September 10, on the road at #17 University of Montana-Western. The game will be at 1:00 PM MT.
