Blue Hawks' season comes to an end with loss at #2 Grand View
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Dickinson State (ND) (10-3) | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
|
Grand View (12-0) | 14 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 28 |
Des Moines, Iowa – Dickinson State's 2023 NAIA playoff run came to an end Saturday, as they fell 28-3 to #2 Grand View on the road. The Blue Hawks finish the season 10-2 and their 10-game win streak was snapped with the loss.
After a quick 3-and-out by the Dickinson State defense started the game, the Blue Hawks were unable to get anything going offensively and were also forced to punt. Grand View took advantage, scoring on their next two possessions to take a 14-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.
As the quarter was winding down, Dickinson State mounted their first real drive of the day, but it stalled out and they settled for a 26-yard Chase Miller field goal. With the make Miller finishes his first year in the blue and gray a perfect 11-11 on field goals and ran his made kicks streak to an incredible 62 in a row.
From that point on, however, it was all Vikings as they tacked on 14 more points in the second quarter to take a commanding 28-3 halftime lead. The score never changed, as both defenses held strong in the second half. Tel Lunde picked off a Grand View pass late in the fourth quarter for the only Blue Hawk take away.
Quarterback Will Madler finished the game 14-29 for 125 yards with Colin Bowden pulling down 6 passes for 59 yards as his leading receiver. Braden Zuroff was held in check all day by the smothering Viking defense, collecting a season-low 47 yards on 13 carries.
The Dickinson State defense put together an impressive performance in the loss, gathering 8 tackles for loss led by senior Krew Mathern with 2.5 to cap his historic career at DSU. Nathaniel Jilek led the team with 7 total tackles.
"We had a great year," said head coach Pete Stanton. "I couldn't be more proud of the players and coaches and they way they represent our program and school. Grand View has a great team that took us out of rhythm on offense and hit some big plays in the first half that put us in a tough spot. We fought hard like we have all year long and I am proud of the guys for that."