HAVRE, Mont. – Dickinson State used a strong first half and timely plays on both sides of the ball to defeat Montana State–Northern 33-16 on Saturday afternoon. The victory moved the Blue Hawks to 2-0 on the season.
Dickinson State struck late in the first quarter to take control of the game. Quarterback Marcus Sanders connected with Jackson Whicker on a 15-yard touchdown pass to cap a 12-play, 74-yard drive. On the next possession, Sanders found Semaj Clark deep for a 52-yard score, giving the Blue Hawks a 14-0 lead after one quarter.
Montana State–Northern answered early in the second quarter with a 48-yard touchdown pass, but the Blue Hawks responded quickly. Caleb Rist punched in a 4-yard rushing touchdown midway through the quarter, and Sanders added his third touchdown pass of the half—a 16-yard strike to Clark—to push the lead to 28-6 at halftime.
After the break, Northern cut into the lead with a 32-yard field goal, but Ty Nelson countered with a 26-yard field goal on the ensuing drive. The Blue Hawk defense then added points of its own when pressure forced a safety in the fourth quarter, extending the margin to 33-9. The Lights added a late rushing touchdown, but the outcome was never in doubt.
Sanders finished the day 19-of-34 passing for 277 yards and three touchdowns. Clark led all receivers with five catches for 99 yards and two scores, while Whicker added three receptions for 39 yards and a touchdown. Rist carried nine times for 28 yards and one score, and Izayah Brown contributed 50 rushing yards on five attempts, including a long gain of 38 yards.
Defensively, Jack Hartman recorded an interception just before halftime, and the unit totaled 63 tackles, six tackles for loss, and a blocked kick. Chase Selle added five tackles and two pass breakups, while Dylan Dahlgren and Brody Jenness each registered tackles behind the line.
Nelson handled the kicking duties, converting a 26-yard field goal and one extra point, while also averaging 34.8 yards per punt with two placed inside the 20. Chase Miller added one extra point, and Gage Gilbert was on the receiving end of a two-point conversion.
Head coach Pete Stanton was pleased with the win but stressed the importance of growth as the season progresses. "It is always good to get a win on the road. We played a very good second quarter but we were a bit of a rollercoaster at times and need to be more consistent," Stanton said. "Happy with our effort but a ton to clean up down the road."
As a team, the Blue Hawks outgained Northern 406-240 in total offense, including 299 yards through the air. Dickinson State converted 5-of-15 third downs and scored on four of five red zone opportunities.
