Dickinson State lose home opener against Black Hills State University

Josiah C. Cuellar, The Dickinson Press, N.D.
·3 min read

Sep. 2—DICKINSON — Dickinson State University launched its 2022 season in a repeat performance of last year in a loss to NCAA Division II Black Hills State University in a game that witnessed an unusually low offensive output by the Blue Hawks. They were defeated 17-2.

Dickinson State's offense was unable to score on Thursday night, despite impressive drives against their DII opponents. The pressure mounted, with neither side able to get their offense rolling, until the third quarter.

"We played hard, we just didn't get the job done." Pete Stanton, Dickinson State head coach, said. "We talk all the time how the winning team has to make game winning plays and [BHSU] made them in the second half and we didn't. We had several opportunities on offense to finish out some drives and we didn't finish those."

Dickinson State first got into the red zone in the second quarter on a drive that began with an interception by Jayden Heartwell deep in Blue Hawks territory. The subsequent drive would not go further than the 18-yard line.

The Blue Hawks defense began the second half determined to put Black Hill State on the back foot, ending their first two opposing drives with interceptions via Dawson McGlothin and Jermani Brown.

Unfortunately Dickinson State could not capitalize on the second chance efforts provided by a hardy defensive showing.

Black Hills would eventually chip away at a tiring DSU defense before midway through the third quarter they would find their first success on on a lateral shovel pass to running back Nolan Susel for a touchdown.

The Blue Hawks' fortunes turned sour as in the very next possession they would find no successes before giving Black Hills another crack at a defense that was quickly cracking against the pressure. BHSU would spend very little time in converting on a 50-yard pass to put the Blue Hawks in the hole by 14.

"Defensively, we got tired in that third quarter and they hit a couple of big plays," Stanton said. "I think our defensive front is going to be pretty good and I think they showed that tonight, but we just left them get away on a couple of explosive plays."

The Blue Hawks rallied hard in the fourth quarter with a powerful 71-yard drive that would take them all the way to the 1-yard line, however, a touchdown would prove elusive and result in a turn over.

With the Yellow Jacket on their own 1-yard line, Dickinson's defense showed grit and determination turning their defense into offense courtesy of a Krew Mathern and Riley O'Donnell tackle for a safety.

Black Hills State would cap off their performance with a field goal to end the game.

Senior Aaron White went 31-53 for 275 yards, but had two interceptions and was sacked four times. McCarvel led in receiving, with 11 receptions for 155 yards. Dickinson State went 2 of 7 on 13 fourth down attempts.

"We just got to keep going," Stanton said. "There is nobody that is going to feel sorry for you. We are playing a team that is going to be a better team when on the road in Western Montana so we have to keep going forward, keep getting better and keep doing our thing."