CHADRON, Neb. – The Adams State Grizzlies Football team traveled to Chadron, NE to face their conference rivals, the Chadron State Eagles on Saturday, and were unfortunately unable to come back with a victory, dropping their second consecutive game on the road, 42-23.
 
The game picked up early and exciting for the Grizzlies halfway through the first quarter, when John Buksa hit his favorite target Tariq Bitson on a 76-yard touchdown strike eight minutes into the game. The Grizzlies would attempt a two-point conversion after the score but would fail, putting them up 6-0. A series of defensive stops throughout the first quarter left the Eagles searching for answers throughout the entire period, and the Grizzlies were able to get more points off of their defensive efforts. An Erick Ruiz field goal with less than two minutes left in the quarter would send the Grizzlies to the second, nursing a 9-0 lead.
 
After the two teams exchanged punts early in the second quarter, the Eagles had the ball back looking for their first points of the game. Unfortunately for them, Ereon Nash would put a momentary hold on those plans, as he intercepted Chadron quarterback Dalton Holst and returned the interception deep into Chadron territory. The Grizzlies would score immediately on a John Buksa touchdown pass to tight end Ian Fryday, and for the moment appeared as though they would blow the game wide open, having dominated up to this point. After the extra point, they led 16-0.
 
Chadron State's fortunes would change rapidly in the second quarter, after laying an egg for the first 20 minutes of the contest. They would begin their climb back into the ballgame with a lengthy, clean touchdown drive to put them on the board with their first score with 8:32 to play in the half.
 
Adams state looked to answer the touchdown with points of their own, and a long drive looked promising when Erick Ruiz's field goal attempt from 33 yards out was blocked by Chadron defender Lane Helgoth and returned to the Chadron 30 yard line. The Eagles were in business with plenty of time left in the half.
 
Chadron got down the field in a hurry following the blocked kick, and momentum worked in their favor as Holst connected with Tevon Wright on a 41 yard touchdown strike to put the Eagles right back in the game. Following the extra point, the Grizzlies still led 16-14 with three minutes left in the half.
 
In an attempt to gain momentum before half, Adams State went for it on fourth and short right around midfield. The Eagles were ready for it, and stopped running back Jamarcus Federick for no gain, retaining possession with 1:35 to play in the half. They would waste no time, scoring on their first play from scrimmage with a 54 yard touchdown pass. The Grizzlies were on offense one more time in the half, but were shut down by the resurgent Chadron defense. Bowers punted to Eagle returner Stevann Brown who took it 76-yard to the Adams State 12 yard line, setting up Chadron for yet another scoring opportunity before the half. Holst again connected with Tevon Wright on a touchdown pass, and the extra point increased their lead to 28-16. The half that couldn't end soon enough for the Grizzlies was finally over, as it was a tale of two quarters for the Grizzlies who now trailed 28-16 headed into halftime, and had seemingly surrendered all momentum.
 
Adams State would receive first in the second half, but were unable to do anything with the possession which brought on a Bowers punt. Chadron set out to continue their scoring onslaught, as they put together a nine-play, 60 yard drive that was capped off with a Stevann Brown 15-yard touchdown rush. Following the extra point, the Grizzlies were in an even bigger hole, down 25-16.
 
The rest of the third quarter would be an uneventful one, and headed into the final period, Adams State remained trailing, 35-16. Chadron State's second drive opportunity in the 4^th quarter would be the icing on the cake for them, as a six-play, 74 yard drive concluded with a Priest Jennings two-yard dive. After the point after attempt, the route was now on, and the Eagles led big, 42-16,
 
The proud Grizzlies would be determined to not go out without a fight, as they were able to put together their final offensive spark in the game. They were able to take it 67 yards in 7 plays, in a proud drive that capped off with a John Buksa ten-yard pass to receiver Ziere Banner in the end zone. It may have been too little, too late, but the Grizzlies had their first points of the second half with under six minutes to play.
 
The Adams State onside kick would fail, and the clock would run out on the Grizzlies, with a final score of 42-23. For Adams State who has now dropped two in a row, they look to bounce back and end their slide next weekend against South Dakota Mines in what will be their first home game in the month of October.