CSC football team wins a close one at BHSU

Quarterback Matt Vinson, sophomore of Box Elder, South Dakota, led a two-touchdown fourth quarter comeback against Black Hills State University, winning 39-38. The Eagles improved to a 4-4 record, 3-3 in the RMAC. BSHU fell to 0-8, 0-6 RMAC.

The Eagles, who scored the first 22 points of the game were led by Vinson, who completed 18 of 35 passes for 181 yards and three touchdowns. The first was a five-yard toss to Kyle Hooper, junior of Alliance, early in the second quarter.

Zac Bargen, senior of Chadron, caught the first of the fourth quarter touchdowns, with under five minutes to play. Bargen also caught a 36-yard pass on a fourth and nine to keep the next offensive drive alive.

“It was an obvious pass situation,” Bargen said. “I was just focused on trying to find an opening in the defense. The line gave great time and Matt did a great job of finding me and making a great throw. I was able to gain some extra yard on a great downfield block by Andrew Rios. With Danny and Kyle out, being an older receiver, I want the ball in those situations. Being a receiver you just have to focus on the route and make plays if the opportunity presents itself.”

The game tying touchdown was a 20-yard pass to redshirt freshman Matt Reader, of Appleton, Wisconsin. Alex Ferdinand, senior kicker of Rapid City, South Dakota, hit the game winning extra point with less than two minutes left in the game. This was Reader’s first career touchdown.

“I was pretty excited,” Reader said. “It was cool that my first career touchdown helped us take the lead late in a close game. This wasn’t our best game overall but to be able to pull it together in the fourth quarter and come out with a win is always a confidence builder and gives us momentum going forward.”

Derek Jackson, sophomore of Pueblo West, Colorado, led the ground game for the Eagles. He scored the first two touchdowns of the game, finishing with 94 yards on 20 carries. Cody Paul, junior of Seal Beach California, ran for 54 yards, while Kevin Coy, redshirt freshman of Davenport, Florida, gained 70.

Bargen led the Eagle receivers in yards with 73 off five receptions. Redshirt freshman Max Gray, of Arlington, Washington, caught nine passes for 68 yards.

The defense also shined late in the fourth, thanks to a late interception from Dylan Furrier, senior linebacker of Tucson, Arizona, that sealed the victory for CSC. Furrier also caught a pass from senior Cole Montgomery, of Casper, Wyoming, for a two-point conversion following Jackson’s first rushing touchdown.

Brian Wood, junior of Stockton, California, also intercepted a pass, while recording seven tackles. His twin brother Ryan Wood recorded nine tackles, eight of which were unassisted. Furrier led the Eagles in tackles with 11.

Yellow Jacket quarterback Ryan Hommel, freshman of Highlands Ranch, Colorado, threw for 307 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. He also ran for 99 yards and a touchdown.

Although the Yellow Jackets had nearly 100 more yards of total offense, 532-434, the Eagles forced three turnovers to keep them in the game.

The Eagles will face New Mexico Highlands University noon, Saturday, at Elliott Field.

“We are looking to come out and put together a solid game,” Bargen said. “On the offensive side of the ball, I feel that our line will be able to get a good push up front and allow our outstanding backs to have a solid game.”

The Cowboys are currently ranked last in the RMAC with a record of 0-8, 0-6 in conference play.

“Our biggest challenge all year has been being consistent,” Reader said. “If we can avoid the roller-coaster ups and downs of the game on Saturday and bring a consistent effort we should play well.”