Dickinson State defeats Jimmies

340422+xx-bw-jc-fb.jpg — Dickinson State senior tight end Derek Pauley leaps for a touchdown over Jamestown College's Austin Kastet (7), Dustin Erbes (middle) and James Vollmer (right) during Saturday afternoon during the Blue Hawks' 26-16 victory at the Badlands Activities Center. Dustin Monke The Dickinson Press

By Sun Staff

September 27, 2010 at 6:12 AM

DICKINSON -- Dickinson State worked offensive and defensive magic at opportune moments to stay undefeated in front of one of the biggest crowds in school history Saturday afternoon.

An estimated 3,800 homecoming fans at the Badlands Activities Center watched the 11th-ranked Blue Hawks defeat rival Jamestown College 26-16, the program's 400th victory and DSU's first 4-0 start since 2003.

DSU's offense scored three unanswered touchdowns in a span of 6 minutes late in the second quarter and early in the third.

The Blue Hawk defense, which held the Jimmies to season-low numbers across the board, then had back-to-back stands inside its own 5-yard line in the fourth quarter to seal the win.

"It came down to the end of the ball game," said DSU head coach Hank Biesiot, who won his 246th game. "There were some big plays at the end of the game."

DSU missed a pair of first-half field goals and fell behind 7-3 after Jamestown senior quarterback Mike Beehler hit receiver Max Boe over the middle for a 77-yard touchdown pass early in the second quarter.

It took until the final minutes of the first half for DSU's offense to stop chipping away and finally punch one into the end zone.

Quarterback Cody Holland and running back Jeremy Herr led a 12-play, 78-yard scoring drive that freshman fullback Brennan Haughian capped with a 2-yard touchdown run off right tackle to put DSU back in the lead 10-7 with 1:36 to play in the second quarter.

"We stuck in there, hung with it and got the job done," Holland said.

After a four-and-out and a short Jamestown punt, the Blue Hawks were back in business at the Jamestown 37-yard line with 37 seconds remaining.

DSU went for the dagger on its first play and struck a blow right into the Jimmies' heart as senior tight end Derek Pauley reached over three Jamestown defensive backs to haul in a touchdown pass from Holland.

If the Blue Hawks (4-0, 2-0 DAC) stole most of the momentum the with Pauley's score, they got it all after Jamestown returner Rob Gibson fumbled the opening kickoff of the third quarter.

DSU again turned to Holland and Herr to get them into scoring position, and after six run plays by Herr and another by Holland, the senior duo hooked up for a 7-yard touchdown pass.

Jamestown senior nose tackle Tyler Wibstad blocked Tury Escobedo's extra-point attempt after Herr's touchdown reception to keep DSU's lead at 23-7 with 10:40 left in the third quarter.

"The game was a microcosm of about 3 minutes of game time," Jamestown coach Bud Etzold said.

Jamestown (1-3, 0-2 DAC) didn't go away though.

Beehler lead a 10-play, 57-yard drive toward the end of the third quarter, capping it with a 17-yard touchdown pass to Boe, who dragged his feet inside the end zone along Jametown's sideline to help cut DSU's lead to 23-14.

DSU answered with a field goal following a 49-yard kick return by senior Derion Williams, who gave his team good field position all day. Williams had 137 yards on kick and punt returns.

"Our kids were feeling pretty good and he took the wind out of our sails," Etzold said.

Things got even more stale for the Jimmies when Beehler went down in a heap early in the fourth quarter after being knocked to the turf by a pair of Blue Hawks just as he let go of a pass.

The first team all-DAC quarterback never returned and left the stadium with a sling around his right shoulder.

"It doesn't look good," Etzold said.

With Beehler on the sidelines, the Jimmies turned to backup Rob Gibson.

The Jimmies got it to the 3-yard line, but on a fourth-and-goal from the 4, Gibson was flushed and stuffed before he could find a receiver or running room.

DSU punted the ball back to the Jimmies after a quick four-and-out.

Gibson drove Jamestown to the 3 before being stuffed by DSU senior defensive tackle Luke Steiner while trying to run a play action out of the shotgun on fourth down.

The Jimmies, who have dropped three straight games, have another tough on Saturday when Minot State is here for homecoming.

Dickinson State 26, Jamestown College 16

Jamestown College 0 7 7 2 -- 16

Dickinson State 3 14 6 3 -- 26

First quarter

DSU-Tury Escobedo 27 FG, 5:23.

Second quarter

JC-Max Boe 77 pass from Mike Beehler (Nate Nygard kick), 13:44.

DSU-Brennan Haughian 2 run (Escobedo kick), 1:36.

DSU-Derek Pauley 37 pass from Cody Holland (Escobedo kick), :29.4.

Third quarter

DSU-Jeremy Herr 7 pass from Holland (kick blocked), 10:40.