Pueblo, Colo. – The Black Hills State football team fell to the top-team in the nation, No. 1 Colorado State University – Pueblo, 45-13 on Saturday evening.
In the first quarter, Bryar DeSanti and Ward Anderson helped lead the Yellow Jackets down the field. The drive was capped-off with a 4-yard DeSanti touchdown run. The Yellow Jackets were tied 7-7 with the ThunderWolves at the end of the first quarter.
A pivotal play came in the second quarter, when Anderson found Hancock in the end zone for a touchdown score that would have put the Yellow Jackets within seven, 14-21. Unfortunately, the play was called back on a questionable offensive passer interference call. The Yellow Jackets had to settle for a Devin Rounds 25-yard field goal.
Rounds was also able to split the uprights with a 39-yard field goal to end the first half. The Yellow Jackets went into halftime trailing 13-28.
The CSUP defense kept the Yellow Jackets off the board for the second half, while adding 17 points. When the final whistle blew, the Jackets trailed 45-13.
Anderson ended the game going 21-of-38 for 182 yards and two interceptions. Though Reiners is displeased with the four interceptions in the past two games, he sees growth in Anderson's play each game.
"Every game for Ward is a huge game as far as learning to become a better quarterback," said head coach John Reiners. "But what Ward has done is he has taken a step becoming the quarterback that he needs to become. Whether it is in his leadership, whether it is his decision making, whether it is his reads, whatever it is, you can see him getting better every game. You say that, and he has had four picks in the last few games, but they have been against some of the top-defenses around."
Hancock was Anderson's favorite target as he reeled in 11 catches for 68 yards.
"Daniel's productivity this season has been remarkable," said head coach John Reiners. "He is one of our mainstays and these next four game we are going to need that same productivity from him."
The Yellow Jackets had great production on the ground as DeSanti ran for 89 yards on 19 attempts and a touchdown.
Joey Brown had another outstanding performance at the cornerback position. Brown forced two CSUP turnovers, including a forced fumble and an interception.
"Joey was all over the field," said Reiners. "They kind of exposed him at Chadron and it was good to see him comeback and have a good game."
Brown and linebacker Trent Turbiville tied for a team-high 12 tackles. Turbiville has been selected as the September "Warrior of the Month" presented by the National Guard for his efforts on the gridiron.
"When you see him at the end of the game and he is literally dragging himself off the field. He has got a thing on his arm, he looks like a robo-player and he just goes. He doesn't complain. He is just a warrior and he gives everything he can," said Reiners.
Randall Hill also added eight tackles and one tackle for a loss.
Levi Millikin had an outstanding special teams' performance with three punts for a total of 136 yards (average 45.3 yards). He pinned the CSUP offense inside the 20 yard line twice. He also showed his versatility as he converted a forth-and-one with a 20-yard scramble on a fake punt.
The Yellow Jackets now look ahead to take on New Mexico Highlands (6-2, RMAC 5-1) at Lyle Hare Stadium on Saturday afternoon at 1.
