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Fort Lewis College Athletics

Scoreboard

Suli Tukumoteau
Antolin Gervacio, Sports Fantatic Photography
14
Black Hills St. BHFB 0-4 , 0-4
34
Winner Fort Lewis College FLC 1-3 , 1-3
Black Hills St. BHFB
0-4 , 0-4
14
Final
34
Fort Lewis College FLC
1-3 , 1-3
Winner
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
BHFB Black Hills St. 0 7 0 7 14
FLC Fort Lewis College 6 14 14 0 34

Game Recap: Football | | Brian Kortz

Defense Forces Five Turnovers, Returns Two for Touchdowns as Football Rolls Past Black Hills State

DURANGO, Colo. – The defense was opportunistic throughout the game Saturday for the Fort Lewis College football team, recording not only five takeaways, but returning a pair of interceptions for touchdowns to help power the Skyhawks to the 34-14 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference action at Ray Dennison Memorial Field.

Of the 34 points scored, 27 came off of turnovers for Fort Lewis. It would be fitting that in a defensive game, that following a blocked field goal, the Skyhawks (1-3, 1-3 RMAC) would cash in. After Black Hills State (0-4, 0-4 RMAC) intercepted a pass, the FLC defense held and forced a 42-yard field goal attempt. On the try, Joshua Cuellar busted through the line and stuffed the kick that was recovered by Ethan Williams.

Although the offense had to punt on the ensuing drive, Max Peets drilled a 60-yard boot down to the BHSU 7. On the next snap, Collin Powers tried to make a quick pass into the flat, but Nathan Aguilar was waiting and he intercepted the pass at the two and then fell into the end zone for a pick-six to give FLC a 6-0 lead late in the first quarter.

The defense struck on the next drive when Powers tried to escape the pocket, but was sacked by Isiah Mayberry and he also fumbled on the play that was picked up by Jaelon Wright at the BHSU 27. FLC cashed in on the turnover when Nick McNamee found Parker Strahler for a two-yard strike to move the lead to 13-0 with still 11:26 to go before halftime.

Following another defensive stop, FLC took just four plays to go 49 yards when Brayden Lucero broke loose for a 27-yard score to jump the lead to 20-0 midway through the second quarter.

The Yellow Jackets went to their third string quarterback right before halftime and Tyler Hammons was able to get BHSU on the board when he found Eriq Swiftwater for a seven-yard pass to leave FLC ahead 20-7 at halftime.

To start the second half, it had a similar feel as the game started in the first quarter. Following an interception thrown by the Skyhawks, the defense came right back and got the ball when Donell Pleasant III read the pass from Hammons and stepped in front to pick the pass off and return it 30 yards down to the BHSU 25. The offense also turned that turnover into points as Jack Harper muscled his way in from one-yard out to push FLC to a 27-7 lead midway through the third quarter.

The defense wasn't finished just yet as Suli Tukumoeatu put the finishing touches on a terrific defensive day as he intercepted a Hammons pass at the BHSU 42 yard line and had nothing but green in front of him, as he went untouched for the touchdown to move the lead to 34-7.
The Yellow Jackets put the only points on the board in the fourth quarter to provide the final margin of 34-14.

BHSU outgained FLC 275-247, including 254-124 in passing yards. FLC rushed for 123 yards and stuffed the BHSU ground attack, limiting the Yellow Jackets to just 21 yards. McNamee completed 17-25 for 124 yards and a touchdown, with a long completion of 39 yards to Mason Hatton. Lucero rushed 19 times for 95 yards and a touchdown, with his long carry of 27 yards resulting in a score. Harper added 15 carries for 30 yards with a TD. Hatton caught seven passes for 65 yards.

On defense, Tukumoeatu led the way with seven tackles, six solo, along with a fumble recovery and his interception return for a TD. Lorenzo Tanner, Mayberry and Sam Morse all added five tackles apiece. Mayberry had two tackles for loss, with one being a sack and both resulting in forced fumbles. Pleasant III and Dre Cortez recorded four solo stops and Pleasant III added his 30-yard interception return for a touchdown.
Marquise Clayto led the BSU defense with 12 tackles, with a half-tackle for loss. Josh Gurnaby added nine tackles.

Williams returned a pair of kickoffs for 57 yards, with a long of 37. Hatton also had a 19-yard punt return. Peets continued his strong punting as he averaged 43.7 yards, booming one 60 yards, five inside the 20 and three that traveled over 50 yards.

FLC will hit the road this coming Saturday as they will play at Adams State in the annual Musket Game that will start at 1 p.m. in Alamosa. Adams State won last year's game 34-27 in Durango.
 
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