ALAMOSA, Colo. (September 3, 2016) – Despite four interceptions and a pair of lost fumbles, Adams State University was in a position to win in the final minute of the fourth quarter against Black Hills State University during the 2016 season opener.

Trailing 34-27 with under three minutes left in the fourth, the Grizzlies engineered a 14 play, 80 yard drive to push within a point at 34-33. With the kicking game in question, ASU opted to go for two but Auston Hillman's pass attempt fell to the ground to give BHSU a 34-33 win. The Yellow Jacket's victory snapped a 12-game losing streak. It also served as Adams State's first-ever defeat to BHSU in program history.

After a shaky start from quarterback Jorge Hernandez, Adams State turned to Hillman to lead the offense. The senior gave the offense traction and connected with receiver Chad Hovasse on a pair of touchdowns during the conference tilt. Hovasse finished the game with three touchdowns and nine receptions for 106 yards. In his first game as a Grizzly, running back Corey Brown tallied a game-high 170 yards on the ground.

The Yellow Jackets took to the scoreboard first with a Ryan Hommel 9-yard touchdown score on the team's opening drive. The scoring drive was set up after a Grizzly interception on the first offensive play of the game.

The Grizzlies quickly responded on their second drive with an 11-yard Hernandez to Hovasse touchdown pass to knot the game at 7-7. Black Hills State ended the opening stanza on top via a 28-yard rushing touchdown by Jamil Bond and extended their lead to 20-7 early in the second quarter as Hommel found Erick Hairston-Belcher on a 32-yard strike.

The double digit lead didn't last long as Hillman found Hovasse in the end zone for a 12-yard touchdown midway through the quarter. The ASU defense then entered into the scoring fanfare as freshman defensive lineman Conner Johnson intercepted a Hommel pass and ran it back 7 yards to complete the pick-six. The Grizzlies failed to go on top as Montana Gomez's PAT attempted failed.

A pair of ASU interceptions in the third quarter stalled production but was eventually turned around on the program's fourth possession of the second half. The Grizzlies found the end zone with another Hillman to Hovasse strike to push ASU ahead, 27-20. However, the Yellow Jackets answered with a quick five play, 75 yard scoring drive to position the teams deadlocked at 27-27 entering the fourth.

BHSU's Payten Gilmore scored from five yards out early in the fourth to push the Yellow Jackets ahead, 34-27.

In the fourth, the ASU offense struggled as their drives resulted in a punt and failed fourth down conversion in the red zone. The Adams State defense kept the game in check by forcing BHSU drives to end with punts which set up the dramatic finish.

In ASU's final scoring drive Hillman went 8-for-11 which included a miraculous 41-yard connection to Hovasse on fourth down to keep hope alive. The new found momentum kept the ball moving as Hillman connected with Darvin McCauley for a two-yard touchdown pass with five seconds remaining.

After the failed two-point conversion, Zach Cimaglia's onside kick attempt failed and turned the ball back over to BHSU who ran out the clock to end the game.
Linebacker John Reed and cornerback Tim Brown Jr. led the ASU defense with 10 tackles apiece. Johnson wrapped up his collegiate debut with four tackles, two pass breakups, and his interception returned for a touchdown in the second quarter. Linebacker Wesley Brandon added six tackles, a forced fumble, and fumble recovery which was returned 46 yards.

Next for Adams State is the Colorado Classic at Western State Colorado University. Kickoff is slated for 2pm from Gunnison on Sept. 10. The Grizzlies look to remain in possession of the trophy series after last season's thrilling 52-51 double overtime victory.

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