ALAMOSA, Colo. – Adams State University's Bradley Smith threw for 184 yards and three touchdowns, but Chadron (Neb.) State's Dalton Hoist threw for 248 yards and four scores as the Eagles outlasted the Grizzlies 45-38 at Rex Field Oct. 14.
 
Chadron improves to 3-4 overall, 3-3 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. The Grizzlies slipped to 0-7 overall, 0-5 in conference play.
 
Smith's favorite target was Bryce Hampton, who caught three passes for 78 yards and two of the touchdowns. He also intercepted a pass and returned it for a score. Quinton Garrett caught the other TD pass.
 
Chadron's State's top receiver was Cole Thurness, who caught five passes for 68 yards and a TD. Jamal Browder caught three for 65 yards and a score.
 
The two teams combined for more than 800 yards in offense, and it didn't take long for the first points to get on the scoreboard. With 90 seconds gone in the game, Chadron's Montel Gladney caught a 22-yard pass from Hoist. Thurness scored the next two TDs for the Eagles, one on a 12-yard pass from Hoist and one on a 2-yard run.
 
ASU's first points came from its defense. Hampton intercepted a pass and returned it for a score with 7:12 left in the second quarter the touchdown was Hampton's fifth pick of the year. The Eagles responded by scoring the next two touchdowns. Jeydon Cox ran it in from 18 yards out, and Jamal Browder hauled in a 54-yard pass from Hoist.
 
Smith and Hampton hooked up on a 27-yard scoring pass to close out the first-half scoring. Chadron took a 36-14 lead to the locker room at the break.
 
ASU rallied in the second half. Smith opened the scoring with a 70-yard run. After Hoist and Josh Sirk connected on a 16-yard scoring play and an Eagles' safety, Smith threw the last of his touchdown passes. One went to Garrett that covered 7 yards. The other came with 7:27 left in the game. Hampton caught it, and it covered 51 yards. But ASU wasn't able to score again.
 
A'brae Booker Currin led the ASU defense with 11 total tackles, eight of which were solo efforts. Angelo Ramirez and Braeden Meyer had seven, and Deon Mayes chipped in with six,
 
Adams State hits the road for an RMAC match at CSU-PUeblo. Kickoff is at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 23.