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The CSC Eagle Newspaper – Chadron, NE
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The CSC Eagle Newspaper – Chadron, NE
Football

Eagles drop out of rankings but set records

Jordyn Hulinsky

 

Wide receiver Nathan Ross, senior of San Diego, carries the ball past CSU-Pueblo’s linebacker Joe Rosenbrock, sophomore of Brush, Colo., Oct. 12, at Elliott Field. — Photo by Ashley Swanson
Wide receiver Nathan Ross, senior of San Diego, carries the ball past CSU-Pueblo’s linebacker Joe Rosenbrock, sophomore of Brush, Colo., Oct. 12, at Elliott Field. — Photo by Ashley Swanson

Chadron State remains second in the RMAC football rankings following a loss to Colorado State University-Pueblo, 51-42, and a win against Black Hills State University, Spearfish, S.D., 43-13. The Eagles dropped out of the American Division II Coaches Poll and the D2Football.com Top 25 Poll following the loss to CSU-Pueblo.

Quarterback Jonn McLain, junior of Chadron, led the team to four new school records against CSU-Pueblo. The team set the record for the most total offense with 708 yards. McLain set three personal records by completing 49 of 74 passes for a total of 600 yards and four touchdowns. His completions, attempts, and yards were all records.

CSC set the record for the most rushing yards against BHSU with 495 yards.

“We have broken some offensive team records over the past few weeks,” Glen Clinton, senior of Cody, Wyo., said. “But it is important to continue studying our opponents in order to put more points on the board and avoid turnovers.”

He had 255 rushing yards on his own against BHSU. Clinton was named the RMAC Offensive Player of the Week, Nebraska Division II Offensive Player of the Week, and Beyond Sports Network Offensive Player of the Week.

Defensively, Shea Koch, senior of Custer, S.D., and Pierre Etchemendy, senior of Douglas, Wyo., led the team in tackles against CSU-Pueblo with 13 and 12 tackles, respectively.

Against the Yellow Jackets, the defense only allowed 346 yards.

“It was good to have held them to only that many yards,” Koch said. “But we need to play better as a whole, without having the let down on key downs in the game.”

Koch again led the team with eight tackles. Ryan Wood, redshirt freshman of Stockton, Calif., Lane Haller, junior of Gordon, and Trelan Taylor, senior of Spring Valley, Calif., were all credited with six tackles. Taylor also tallied an interception in his first game of the season following a suspension due to a credit shortage that happened two years ago.

The team captains said they still aren’t satisfied with their complete performance.

“We played a great game in Spearfish last weekend, especially in the second half,” Clinton said. “We are still striving to improve, especially with New Mexico Highlands coming to Chadron this week.”

Chadron State had five turnovers against CSU-Pueblo and three against BHSU.

“We haven’t played a complete game yet as we have turned the ball over far too much,” McLain said.

Defensively, the Eagles aren’t satisfied either, Koch said.

“As a defensive unit we have given up too many big plays,” he said. “For a complete game to be played, we must dominant from start to finish.”

The Eagles play New Mexico Highlands University, Las Vegas, Saturday at noon, Elliott Field.

“Highlands is always very athletic,” McLain said. “We need to come out focused and ready to play.”