Box Score

MARSHALL, MINN.: Black Hills State wide receiver Jamie January scored on a 20-yard touchdown reception with eight seconds left in the game to earn a 21-14 victory over Southwest Minnesota State at the Regional Event Center in Marshall.

SMSU appeared to have a chance to possibly win the game late in the fourth quarter driving the ball to the BHSU 31-yard line but on third down and one, Mustang running back Zach Wysong fumbled the ball and the Yellow Jackets recovered at their own 33-yard line with 1:09 remaining in the game.  On first down BHSU picked up three yards on a rush by Tanner Ehrlich, but on the play SMSU was called for a face mask penalty, moving the ball to the SMSU 49-yard line.

Black Hills State, ranked No. 18 in the NAIA national poll, appeared to score with 44 seconds left in the game on a 49-yard pass from Drew Hodgs to Joe Beehler, but BHSU was called for an offensive penalty nullifying the score.  On first and 15 from their own 46-yard line, Hodgs connected with January on a 35-yard reception to set up first down at the SMSU 19-yard line.  Following a one-yard loss on a carry by Mike Jager, BHSU called time out with 15 seconds left in the game setting up the go-ahead touchdown.

On a rainy day a the Grand Opening of the Regional Event Center, SMSU struggled passing the football as quarterback Josh Shudlick completed just 6 of 22 passes for 67 yards in the game including just 4 of 14 in the opening half for 29 yards.

SMSU opened the game's scoring on its second possession as Wysong, who finished with a career-high 145 yards rushing on a career-high 38 carries, capped a 41-yard, 11-play drive with a 3-yard touchdown with 3:19 left in the opening quarter.

The game remained 7-0 until 7:21 left in the first half until Hodgs connected on a 12-yard touchdown pass to January to tie the game at 7-7.

The two teams were held scoreless in the third quarter until Black Hills State took advantage of an SMSU penalty to snap the 7-7 tie.  SMSU was called for running into the kicker on fourth down and five on the BHSU 46-yard line setting up a first down for BHSU at the SMSU 49-yard line.  The Yellow Jackets then finished off the drive with 7:02 remaining in the quarter on a 1-yard run by Hodgs to take a 14-7 lead.

The Mustang offense though responded driving 56 yards on seven plays to tie the score at 14-14 with 3:43 left in the fourth quarter on a 3-yard run by Wysong.

The SMSU defense then forced a three and out by the BHSU offense forcing a punt and on the ensuing kick SMSU's Blake Wilson returned the ball 34 yards to the Yellow Jacket 40-yard line with 2:34 left in the game.  But three plays later BHSU forced the turnover to set up the game-winning drive.

BHSU finished the game recording 336 yards of offense with Hodgs completing 13 of 27 passes for 212 yards and two touchdowns.  Corey Wheeler led BHSU with five receptions for 120 yards while January had four catches for 70 yards and two scores.  Ehrlich racked up 122 yards on 25 carries to pace the Yellow Jacket running attack.

SMSU's top two receivers, Matt Fischer and Wilson each finished with two catches for a combined 57 yards.  The Mustang offense finished the game with 192 yards of offense.  It's the first time SMSU was held under 200 yards of offense since Nov. 4, 2006 versus Winona State (169).

Mike Liggins led the SMSU defense with a career-high 10 tackles including 1.5 for loss and one forced fumble.  Bryce Haessly added seven tackles while Tyler Reed chipped in with six stops.

SMSU, 1-1 overall, 1-0 NSIC, will return to conference action next week facing nationally ranked Minnesota Duluth on Thursday, Sept. 11 in Duluth.  The game will be televised nationally on CBS College Sport Television.