HELENA, Mont. — Dickinson State held No. 15 Carroll scoreless in the second half but could not overcome a 42-point first half in a 42-7 loss Saturday afternoon at Nelson Stadium.
The Blue Hawks (1-3) faced a 42-0 halftime deficit after Carroll scored three touchdowns on special teams or defensive returns. The Saints opened the scoring on a blocked-punt recovery before adding a 44-yard Peter Minnaert touchdown run and a 6-yard Jake Jeske scoring run.
Carroll then returned interceptions 55 and 30 yards for touchdowns before Kaden Huot connected with Josh Johnson for a 48-yard score late in the half.
Dickinson State responded after halftime, keeping Carroll (2-1) off the scoreboard. The Blue Hawks broke through with 5:45 remaining when Hudsen Grovom capped an eight-play, 66-yard drive with a 17-yard touchdown run.
Grovom led Dickinson State with 73 rushing yards on 18 carries and completed 11 of 22 passes for 76 yards. Jackson Simonson added 54 rushing yards as the Blue Hawks finished with 240 yards of offense.
Brody Jenness led Dickinson State with seven tackles. Jaymn Medlock and Armani Smith each recorded a sack and forced a fumble, while Johnnie McClusky Jr. recovered a fumble that set up the Blue Hawks' touchdown drive.
"It was a disastrous first half for us by giving up the special teams and two defensive touchdowns," head coach Pete Stanton said. "We have to coach better and play better and start making some plays. We need to move on as we have another great team coming to Dickinson next week."
Dickinson State returns home Saturday, Sept. 26, to host Montana Western at 1 p.m. at Biesiot Activities Center.
