Spearfish, S.D. – The Black Hills State Yellow Jacket football team lost to Adams State 20-17 in Spearfish on Saturday afternoon.

"Our defense did some good things, we got some turnovers, we got some fumbles, but offensively we've got to get a better mentality," said head coach John Reiners. "We have to finish drives, we can't turn the ball over in the fourth quarter."

After a scoreless first quarter, Black Hills State got its offense rolling early in the second, scoring on a one-yard quarterback keeper by Ward Anderson with 8:13 left in the half. This capped off an 11-play, 75-yard drive for the Jackets.

Adams State would strike next. Grizzly quarterback Trevor Eggleston found receiver Scott Kellogg for a 45-yard touchdown to even up the score 7-7. This would be the score at the halftime break.

The Jackets got the ball to start the second half and were ready to go. The aerial attack by Black Hills State was solid on its first drive of the third quarter. Anderson connected with Daniel Hancock for 24 yards to convert a crucial 3rd and 12 to move the Jackets into Adams State territory. After an incompletion, the Jackets went back to the air. Anderson found Alexander Anderson streaking down the sideline for a gain of 26 yards down to the Grizzly three-yard line. The drive was finished off with a one-yard Ward Anderson touchdown run, his second of the day.

The Jacket defense picked up where the offense left off, forcing a turnover on Adams State's next possession. Aaron Olson sacked the Grizzly quarterback, causing him to fumble. Thadd Stottler jumped on the ball for the Yellow Jackets on the Grizzly 11 yard line. After two incompletions and a sack, the Jacket offense was able to put three points on the board behind the leg of kicker Devin Rounds.

"Our defense continues to play well. We've proven that we can really play with teams, but we've got to finish. We belong in this conference, we can do the things we need to do to win, but we can't do it part time," said Reiners.

The Grizzlies got things going in the fourth, scoring twice on field goals of 41 and 40 yards on back-to-back drives to bring the game to 17-13.

With 4:04 left in the game, the Yellow Jackets turned the ball over on their own 44 yard line, giving the Grizzlies decent field position. Adams State was able to capitalize, moving the ball down the field and eventually scoring the go-ahead touchdown on a nine-yard run by Michael Carl with 2:13 left in the game.

Senior linebacker Trent Turbiville had another outstanding day defensively for the Yellow Jackets, recording 13 total tackles, one sack, and two and a half tackles for loss on the day.

Hancock led the Jacket's receivers with seven receptions for 86 yards. Freshman Jeremy Woods caught six passes for 52 yards.

Anderson completed 20-of-42 passes for 201 yards and a pair of interceptions in the loss. He also carried the ball 12 times for 29 yards and two touchdowns.

Next week the Jackets travel to Chadron, Neb. to take on the Chadron State Eagles. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. on Saturday.