GUNNISON, Colo. – The Black Hills State University football team fell to Western State Colorado University, 26-8, on Saturday afternoon. Payten Gilmore had a 100-yard rushing game for the second time this year.
The Mountaineers (2-7, 2-6 RMAC) used a quick, four play, 75-yard, opening drive to take a 7-0 lead over the Yellow Jackets (2-7, 2-7 RMAC) just 1:39 into the game. BHSU responded with a three-and-out, and Western returned the punt 56 yards to give the WSCU offense a short field to work with. Three plays later, the home team was up, 14-0.
The Yellow Jackets then had an extended drive, but the 44-yard field goal try was blocked. Western led, 14-0, at the end of the first quarter.
In the second quarter, the Yellow Jacket offense continued to have trouble getting going, and with less than five minutes remaining in the half, the Mountaineers added to their lead, going ahead, 21-0, when Dylan Jacob connected with Brandon Storebo for a 17-yard score. A fumble gave Western another short field, and with less than a minute left, WSCU scored again, taking a 28-0 lead into halftime.
With 10 minutes left in the third, BHSU got the ball, and Payten Gilmore took a handoff on the initial snap, rushing 35-yards, trying to get some momentum for the Green and Gold. Five plays later, quarterback Tyler Hammons connected with Zane Lindsey for an 11-yard touchdown to get the Yellow Jackets on the board, trailing 28-6.
The defenses of both teams stepped up in the fourth quarter, as neither team was able to get on the board. The Mountaineers secured the victory, their second-consecutive, 28-6.
Hammons threw for 165 yards and one touchdown, while Ryan Hommel had 74 passing yards. Payten Gilmore rushed for 118 yards, his second time passing the century mark this season. Defensively, Drew Hebel led the Yellow Jackets with 12 tackles, while Austin Goddard and Josh Gurnaby both had 10. Chris James and Jarrell Ganaway each recorded an interception. Kolten Johnson and Brett Lamb each tallied a sack.
For the Mountaineers, Jacob threw for 202 yards and two touchdowns. Isaac Fuqua rushed for 102 yards and a score, while Bryan Evans rushed for 43 yards and a touchdown. Desmond Marfizo led Western with 13 tackles.
The Yellow Jackets will wrap up the RMAC schedule on November 3. BHSU will welcome CSU-Pueblo, who is currently ranked No. 14 in the nation. The game, kicking off at 1 p.m., will be Senior Day for the Green and Gold.
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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---
