SPEARFISH, S.D. (October 18, 2014) – Thanks to 23 unanswered points in the second quarter, the Adams State University Grizzlies football team defeated the Black Hills State University Yellow Jackets, 37-27, on Saturday afternoon from Lyle Hare Stadium. It marked the program's first Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) win of the season and in the process snapped a five game skid.

The Grizzlies (2-5, 1-4 RMAC) began their push in the second quarter by way of three Keating Krauser field goals. Krauser connected on 20 yard, 42 yard, and 24 yard attempts, respectively, to give ASU a 9-0 advantage. His 42 yarder was his longest collegiate field goal.

The ASU momentum appeared to be halted on the ensuing BHSU offensive drive as quarterback Zach Meyer found Anthony Eboreim for a 67-yard touchdown. However, the play was called back with an offensive pass interference call. It was a call that weighed heavily on the game as cornerback Demari Reynolds picked off Meyer on the next play and returned the ball 15 yards for a Grizzly touchdown. The offensive pass interference eliminated the contest from becoming a one possession affair and instead resulted in ASU grabbing a 16-0 lead.  

The Grizzly defense continued to hold strong as the Yellow Jackets' next drive elapsed 10 plays but resulted in just 28 yards gained and a punt. This afforded the Grizzly offense decent field position on their own 33 yard line but it wasn't long before quarterback Auston Hillman and the offense pushed into BHSU territory.  ASU soon reached paydirt with a Jabari Ray Garvin one yard touchdown run to cap off an 8 play, 67 yard drive. In doing so, the Grizzlies now controlled a 23-0 advantage before halftime.

The Yellow Jackets did their best to come within reach with 22 points in the second half but ASU held on to the lead thanks to a 21-yard Phil Romero touchdown reception in the third quarter and a 15-yard Michael Carl run in the fourth. Carl's touchdown capped off an eight play, 87 yard drive—the longest for either team in the game.

Aiding in the win was the Grizzlies ability to control possession which had escaped them in games earlier this season. Against BHSU, Adams State held control of the ball for 34:26 opposed to just 25:34 for the Yellow Jackets.

Offensively, Garvin carried the ball 17 times for 81 yards and a touchdown while Hillman was 21-for-28 for 236 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Hillman found receiver Harry Adjei five times for 24 yards while Romero finished with three receptions for 61 yards. Krauser was perfect on the day as the freshman went 3-for-3 on field goals and 4-for-4 on extra point attempts.

Senior Connor Stevens led the defense once again with 12 total tackles (two for loss) and a sack while fellow linebacker Wesley Brandon added nine total tackles and a pass breakup. The secondary was led by Cariel Brooks with seven total tackles and three pass breakups along with Reynolds' pick-six.

The Grizzlies return home next Saturday to face New Mexico Highlands University on Oct. 25 at 12:05 p.m.