MAYVILLE, ND – The Dickinson State University Blue Hawks traveled east to Mayville Saturday afternoon, with the Comets hoping to knock off the ranked Blue Hawks. But, with less than ideal weather, the Blue Hawks defeated Mayville State 79-14, handing the Comets their first conference loss of the season.
"Dickinson State is a great program that knows how to win," Comets head coach Jeff Larson said. "They out-executed us in every phase of the game."
The Comets fumbled the ball three times, only gaining it back once.
"We need to do a better job of not letting mistakes compound," Larson said. "They did what great teams do, exploit mistakes and let them compound."
Dickinson State led from the get-go, pulling ahead 13-0 on passing touchdowns. The first two came in the first quarter, beginning with a four-yard pass from Hayden Gibson to Jaret Lee, giving Dickinson State a 7-0 lead. Tyger Frye would extend the lead later, with a 26-yard pass from Kooper Ray.
Mayville State would cut the lead to six on a pass early in the second quarter, a seven-yard score connecting Creighton Pfau with Jacquante Pitts, cutting the lead to 13-7.
Dickinson State would then tack on 66 unanswered points, controlling the game 79-7. Their final, and biggest score of the game, was a 50-yard punt, returned for a touchdown, by Dawson McGlothlin, making it 79-7.
Mayville State's final tally would come with 13:24 to go in the fourth quarter, a 69-yard pass from Pfau to Joshua Portillo.
Pfau finished the game 15-of-33 passing for 177 yards and two touchdowns. He threw for one interception in the game, as well. Pfau was the leading rusher, with seven rushes for 15 yards.
Cole Dukart finished with six rushes for 10 yards, followed by Gino Musick's eight rushes for eight yards.
Portillo's one receiving touchdown came as part of his three reception, 90 yard day for the Comets. Darrel Wilson also had five receptions for 34 yards. Pitts, who had the other receiving touchdown, had four receptions for 33 yards.
With the loss, the Comets drop to 1-1 in NSAA play and 2-3 overall. They'll host Waldorf next weekend at 2 p.m. on Saturday at Jerome Berg Field.
"We have to be a lunch pail team this week and go back to work to get ready for a very talented Waldorf team," Larson said.