After 0-3 start, Eagles seek first win at WCU
By Eben Rosentrater
CSC football is looking to put a disappointing home loss against the Yellow Jackets of Black Hills State behind them as they prepare to face the Western Colorado Mountaineers in Gunnison, Colorado.
“We have to focus on ourselves and getting back to our game,” CSC Head Football Coach Jay Long said. “I really, really want our guys, this week, to focus on execution against Western Colorado, and when we have an opportunity to make a play, we have got to make it.”
Many people, both CSC students and fans, were skeptical of the Eagles’ ability to perform against top-ranked Black Hill State. While much was to be desired of the team’s output, the Eagles look to do well against the Mountaineers who are ranked fifth in the RMAC.
For the second week in a row, both sides of the ball showed major improvement. This was apparent from the Eagles’ first play from scrimmage as quarterback Heath Beemiller, junior of Chandler, Arizona, rolled out and hit wide receiver Ahlonte Hair, junior of Live Oak, Florida, for a 76-yard pass reception. However, the Eagle offense was stopped short on that drive and kicker Gunnar Jones, graduate student of Rogersville, Alabama, scored the first points of the game with a 21-yard field goal.
The Eagle defense responded well after that and held the Yellow Jackets to zero points in the first quarter. The Yellow Jackets scored their first points after a long seven-minute drive which ended in a 27-yard field goal by kicker Coleman Chapman.
On the subsequent drive, a strong run game from Eagle running back Jalen Starks, senior of Chicago, led the Eagles down the field to the goal line. While attempting to cross the goal line, Beemiller fumbled the ball into the endzone. Eagle center Michael Decamillis, junior of Westminster, Colorado, was quick to the rescue and scooped up the ball for the Eagles’ first touchdown of the game.
However, the Yellow Jackets quickly responded with a fast three-minute drive that ended in an eight-yard connection to receiver Hasaan Williams for a touchdown. Going into halftime, the game was tied, which to many was a surprise considering Black Hills State’s first place ranking in the RMAC.
Despite the slow start, the Yellow Jackets came out in the second half with a fire and scored quickly on their first possession of the half. Coleman, however, missed the extra point attempt making the score 16-10. On the following kickoff, the Eagles fumbled on the return on their own 33-yard line. The Yellow Jacket offense took quick advantage of the mistake and scored another touchdown, going up by 13 points after the extra point attempt.
The game continued to look bleak for the Eagles, especially after Beemiller went down during the fourth quarter after taking a big hit on a pass play. However, backup quarterback Mason Hamilton, freshman of Gillette, Wyoming, was the spark the Eagles needed. On the next drive, Hamilton drove the Eagles down the field 75 yards and scored a touchdown on a 7-yard connection to running back Dorian Collier, sophomore of Tallahassee, Florida. After the Eagle defense held the Yellow Jackets to a three-and-out, the offense marched the ball down the field off the backs of Starks and Collier. Starks powered the ball across the goal line and brought the Eagles within three points of the Yellow Jackets.
The defense needed one more stop to give the Eagles the chance to win the game. The defense had the Yellow Jacket offense held down to a 3rd and 17 when running back Nolan Susel ran for a 29-yard touchdown, sealing the game for Black Hills State with a score of 32-23.
Despite the disappointing loss, the Eagles looked far better than they have in previous games. Overall, the Eagle offense had more yards than their opponent with 205 passing and 261 rushing for a combined total of 466 all-purpose yards, which was 56 more than the Yellow Jackets.
Beemiller lead the passing game with 128 yards on eight completions. However, his injury early in the fourth quarter stopped him from being able to play. Hamilton seamlessly picked up where Beemiller left off throwing for another 77 yards on 9 completions and one passing touchdown.
“As of now, we’re not sure about Heath’s injury or when he’ll be back, we’ll have to see later in the week,” Long said, “however, we’re confident in Mason. He’s come into the game every game and has been a real spark for us and has allowed us to do good things.”
In terms of receiving, the Eagles were led by Hair who had 117 yards on four receptions. The running game was led strongly by Starks who gained 125 yards and one touchdown. Collier and Beemiller combined for another 108 rushing yards as well. Unsurprisingly, the offensive line continues to be the Eagles’ best asset, giving up no sacks for the third week in a row and even scoring some points of the Decamillis scoop-and-score.
“I think the team played hard. I think our offense had too many mental mistakes, and that what really hurt us,” Decamillis stated in a text. “Big game this week. Western Colorado always plays tough. Big emphasis on being physical and doing our jobs.”
As for the defense, the Eagles were led yet again by defensive back Ritchie McCormack, freshman of Tucson, Arizona, who recorded 11 tackles and a half tackle-for-loss. Defensive backs Harvey Reynolds and Xavier Harrell combined for another 18 tackles and a half tackle-for-loss as well.
As for the next game, Coach Long and his team are looking to claim their first win of the season in Gunnison.
“Offensively, we need to end drives in points, specifically the endzone. Field goals aren’t going to win us games,” Long said. “Defensively, we need to focus on forcing the other team to be one-dimensional. Shutting down the run game forces our opponents to pass and when you force a team to constantly pass, it becomes easier to defend. I think if we can do that, the score will sort itself out.
The Eagles will be taking on the Mountaineers of Western Colorado in Gunnison, Colorado, 1 p.m. Saturday at Katy O. Rady Field.