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Rocky Mountain College Athletics

Rocky Mountain College Battlin' Bears

Events and Results

Events and Results

Group Tackle vs Dickinson St. '24
17
Rocky Mountain (MT) ROCKY MO 0-1 , 0
42
Winner Dickinson State (ND) DICKINSO 1-0 , 0
Rocky Mountain (MT) ROCKY MO
0-1 , 0
17
Final
42
Dickinson State (ND) DICKINSO
1-0 , 0
Winner
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
ROCKY MO Rocky Mountain (MT) 7 3 0 7 17
DICKINSO Dickinson State (ND) 7 14 7 14 42

Game Recap: Football |

Rocky Football Drops Season Opener 42-17 in Dickinson

DICKINSON, N.D.- Rocky Football fell in their 2024 season opener to the No. 15-ranked Dickinson State Blue Hawks 42-17. 

How it Happened
The Battlin' Bears controlled possession throughout the first quarter, keeping the ball on offense for nearly 11 of the first 15 minutes. Unfortunately, neither of their first two drives resulted in points. Rocky's first drive ended in a failed fourth down conversion, with the next drive ending with a 66-yard interception return for a touchdown by Dickinson State's Jayden Heartwell. 

Rocky's defense was stout in the first quarter, forcing back-to-back three and outs for Dickinson State. Senior Kaysan Barnett showed his dynamic ability in the return game following Rocky's second defensive stop, as he took the Dickinson State punt 55 yards deep into Blue Hawk territory. Graedyn Buell took advantage of the excellent field position, finding Joseph Dwyer on the third play of the drive across the middle for a 24-yard touchdown to even the game up at 7-7 at the end of the first quarter. 

Dickinson State's offense would get in the endzone for the first time on their opening drive of the second half with a 20-yard rushing touchdown by Braden Zuroff. After both teams traded punts, the Battlin' Bears would be the next team to strike after Graedyn Buell found Joseph Dwyer again for 39 yards to set Rocky up inside the red zone. A penalty would ultimately force a field goal attempt, made by Austin Drake from 27 yards out. 

Self-inflicted wounds would be the difference in Thursday's matchup for the Battlin' Bears. After a 13-play, 51-yard drive set the Battlin' Bears up at the one-yard line, a bad snap resulted in a scoop and score for Blue Hawk safety Jayden Heartwell, flipping the script for Rocky as they entered the halftime break trailing 21-10. 

Dickinson State built on its momentum after receiving the ball after halftime, leading a seven-play, 75-yard touchdown drive to extend its lead to 28-10. Two special teams miscues for Rocky smothered any momentum it built on offense, as a blocked field goal and a fumble on a punt return kept the score at 28-10 at the end of the third quarter. 

Dickinson State dashed any hopes of a Rocky comeback early in the fourth quarter, opening the final period with an 11-play, 58-yard touchdown drive that took nearly eight minutes off the clock, capped by quarterback Will Madler punching the ball in from a yard out. Both teams would score once more with their reserves in the game, but the Battlin' Bears would fall on the road to open up the 2024 season. 

Notable Statistics
Graedyn Buell finished his season-opening start, throwing 18-of-29 for 272 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. He was also Rocky's leading rusher, totaling 56 yards on 25 attempts. Luke Holcomb entered the game for the final two drives, completing two of his four passing attempts for 27 yards and a touchdown. 

Will Madler completed 11-of-16 for the Blue Hawks for 141 yards and a touchdown, adding 40 yards of rushing on his own. 

Joseph Dwyer was the game's leading receiver, totaling seven catches for 151 yards and a touchdown. It is Dwyer's fifth game with 100+ receiving yards in his past seven games, dating back to last season. 

Dickinson State's Braden Zuroff was the leading rusher for either side, running for 77 yards and a touchdown. 

Defensively, Kaysan Barnett was Rocky's leading tackler, totaling seven on the evening. Mason Browning totaled six, including two tackles for loss. 

Dylan Dahlgren was a force in the backfield for Dickinson State, finishing Thursday's game with 5.5 sacks. Jayden Heartwell totaled two defensive touchdowns, one on an interception and one from a fumble recovery. 

Up Next
The Battlin' Bears (0-1) will play in their season opener against MSU-Northern on Saturday, September 7th, in a non-conference matchup. 
 
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