SPEARFISH, S.D. – Three fourth-quarter takeaways on defense and special teams helped Chadron State outscore Black Hills State 17-2 in the second half to defeat the Yellow Jackets 31-19 in a rivalry clash at Lyle Hare Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Both teams are now 5-5 for the season while the Eagles, who have won four games in a row, are 4-4 in the RMAC and the Jackets are 3-5 in conference play. Chadron State's win in the second annual "Battle for The Buckle" also allows the Eagles to retain the traveling belt buckle trophy that was introduced last season to the rivalry.
Aidan Thompson completed 17 of 29 passes for 183 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions while adding a rushing touchdown on the ground. Daytuawn Pearson finished with 63 rushing yards and a key fourth-quarter score while Camden Walker and Parker Schwarting each caught touchdowns.
Liam Blaser continued his outstanding performances, participating in a game-high nine tackles that included two sacks for 20 negative yards. Reese Jacobs and Ryder True were each credited for eight tackles, including a sack each, while Griffin Clubb had an interception.
Like many of the 80 previous games between Chadron State and Black Hills State, this year's contest played at Spearfish on Saturday afternoon has hotly contested and had some odd occurrences. There were four lead changes during the first three quarters, but the Eagles went ahead for keeps 21-17 in the third quarter and came up with an interception, special teams fumble and defensive fumble in the final 15 minutes that clinched the victory.
While the turnovers created a frantic finish, the game got off to a slow start in the first quarter thanks to a variety of unconventional stoppages. The Eagles scored first midway in the opening quarter when quarterback Aidan Thompson connected with Parker Schwarting on a 13-yard pass and Shay Prichard added the PAT, but Chadron State had to successfully throw the challenge flag on back-to-back plays to get both the touchdown and the point-after to count.
Another delay happened when one of the referees had to be helped off the field after he was injured by some of the gridiron action. Soon afterwards, another of the refs also got mixed up in the action, but after some on-the-field medical attention, she was able to resume her duties.
The Yellow Jackets tied the score four minutes later when their quarterback, Kade Weber, broke away for a 53-yard run, the longest play of the game. Black Hills went ahead 10-7 early in the second quarter when Madden Aquino kicked a 27-yard field goal.
With just under two minutes left in the second frame, the Eagles regained the lead at 14-10 by driving 72 yards in 12 plays. Thompson ran in the final four yards for a rushing TD after finding wide receiver Garet Schlabs on three passes for 38 yards.
With the help of three penalties for 25 yards against Chadron State, the Yellow Jackets responded in a hurry by going 68 yards in eight plays and scoring with just 22 seconds remaining before halftime when Weber hit Jayden Williams on a 13-yard toss to put the hosts ahead at 17-14.
Chadron State regained the lead for good with five minutes left in the third quarter by marching 83 yards on six plays. Thompson completed all three of his passes, going to sophomore Camden Walker with the first for 22 yards and the last for a 25-yard touchdown. Senior tight end Koye Gilbert grabbed a 22-yarder in between.
The Eagles were now ahead by just 21-17, and the three takeaways by the defense and special teams in the fourth quarter helped widen the margin and seal the triumph.
The first takeaway came early in the final period when two CSC defensive linemen teamed up to intercept a Black Hills State pass. Ryder True tipped the ball high up into the air at the line of scrimmage and Griffin Clubb caught it at the Yellow Jackets' 20. It led to a 33-yard field goal by Shay Prichard that gave the Eagles a 24-17 cushion.
A few minutes later, Yellow Jackets punter Mason Crosby's 44-yard kick died at the Eagles' one-foot line. On CSC's first snap, BHSU's Jack Gentile forced a safety by tackling the Eagles' ball carrier in the end zone. The two points closed the gap on the scoreboard to just five, making it a one-possession game.
After yielding the safety, the Eagles kicked off at their own 20. Truitt Bosher booted the ball 71 yards to inside the Yellow Jackets' 10. Yellow Jacket return specialist, Bryce Coulson, who had taken a kickoff 95 yards and a punt 69 yards for touchdowns earlier this season, had a full head of steam in the middle of the field when he was hit hard by the Eagles' Noah Shoemaker at the 32-yard line. The ball came loose and CSC's Ty Young pounced on it.
The Eagles used eight plays to cash in on the turnover with Pearson running for 18 yards to the end zone, putting the Eagles ahead by the final 31-19 margin with 3:20 left to play.
The third takeaway followed. A Black Hills receiver caught a pass near midfield and fumbled it when linebacker Reese Jacobs made the hit. Cooper Walton got the recovery, returning it 27 yards before being tackled, and the Eagles immediately went into victory formation.
The teams had almost equal yardage. Chadron State rushed for 100 yards and passed for 183 (283 total) while Black Hills ran for 167 and threw for 128 (295 total).
Walker paced the Eagles with three catches for 53 yards and the third quarter touchdown while Schlabs caught four tosses for 40 yards and Devon Sundgren five for 33. Jayden Williams led Black Hills with seven receptions for 54 yards and his team's only TD through the air.
Eagles' punter Triston Hite averaged 48.3 yards on five punts and placed two of them inside the 20.
Chadron State will play their final regular season game this coming Saturday, Nov. 14. The Eagles will be home to meet South Dakota Mines, with kickoff at 1 p.m.
