SPEARFISH, S.D. – The Black Hills State University football team forced five turnovers as the Yellow Jackets took down Colorado Mesa University, 31-26, on Saturday afternoon to win their second consecutive game.

After the two teams exchanged scoreless drives to begin the game, the Mavericks (4-4, 3-4 RMAC) took an early 3-0 lead after cashing in on a 42-yard field goal. However, the Yellow Jackets (2-6, 2-6 RMAC) would score the next 17 points. When BHSU got the ball back with 7:05 remaining in the first quarter, the Green and Gold scored on three consecutive drives, using a 1-yard Payten Gilmore rush, a 46-yard field goal by Trey Fleming, and a 19-yard Jack Walbye rush to go up, 17-3. During those seven minutes, the Yellow Jacket defense recorded an interception and a three-and-out to help out their offense.

The Mavericks would not go lightly, scoring on their next two possessions to tie up the game, 17-17. That would be the score at the break.

CMU came out of halftime looking to continue its momentum. After Colorado Mesa intercepted a pass on the Yellow Jackets' first drive, the Mavericks' quarterback, Eystin Salum, rushed it in from 15 yards out to give the visitors a 24-17 lead, their first since early in the first quarter.

The Yellow Jackets had the ball with less than six minutes to play in the third after another interception by the Green and Gold defense. BHSU was looking at a third and 15 from their own 22-yard line, but Ryan Hommel hooked up with Kielar Harpham for 37 yards to extend the drive, which culminated in a 25-yard rushing touchdown for Walbye, his second of the day.

With the score tied, 24-24, another interception got the ball back for the Yellow Jacket offense in prime position. The Green and Gold took advantage, going 16 yards to score, with Gilmore running it in from 3 yards out, and taking a 31-24 lead.

The Mavericks would block a punt to pick up a safety, and close to within five points. After exchanging scoreless drives for most of the fourth quarter, Colorado Mesa took possession of the ball with just over two minutes to play. After allowing a first down on the first play of the drive, the Yellow Jacket defense once again stepped up, stopping CMU on fourth down with 1:33 remaining. The BHSU offense was able to run the clock out, securing the second consecutive victory for the Green and Gold. It was just the second win over the Mavericks in seven tries.

Ryan Hommel threw for 205 yards, while Harpham led the Yellow Jackets with 91 receiving yards. Gilmore and Walbye each scored two rushing touchdowns. Defensively, Bailey Rosenstrauch led BHSU with 16 tackles, and also forced a fumble, which he recovered. Chris James had two interceptions and also tallied nine tackles. Drew Hebel had an interception and 12 tackles, while Josh Gurnaby also picked off the Mavericks. Jarrell Ganaway had two sacks, including a strip sack.

For the Mavericks, Eystin Salum threw for 270 yards, and had all three touchdowns for CMU as the leading rusher. Defensively, Greyson Matalus led the visitors with 11 tackles. Damar'ren Mitchell had three interceptions as well as a blocked punt.  

The Yellow Jackets will look to make it three-straight wins when they travel to Western State Colorado next weekend. The game on October 27 is scheduled to kick off at 1 p.m. in Gunnison, Colorado.

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Black Hills State is located in the Northern Black Hills of South Dakota, sponsoring 13 NCAA sports with membership in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, the NCAA emerging sport of women's triathlon and NIRA rodeo. For all information regarding Yellow Jacket Athletics, please visit BHSUAthletics.com or follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram @BHSUAthletics.

---BHSUAthletics.com---