SPEARFISH - Black Hills State avoided a possible "trap game" and maintained possession of the Missouri River Shootout Trophy, claiming a 22-7 win over Dakota State in a Dakota Athletic Conference game on Saturday at Lyle Hare Stadium.

"I was concerned. It was a little flat week for us," Black Hills State head coach John Scott said. "We were coming off a big, emotional win (over South Dakota Mines)."

Corey Wheeler, James Lemke and Tanner Tetrault all sat out Saturday's game with injuries. Tetrault, the DAC Most Valuable Player last season, broke his hand on Tuesday in practice, He had surgery on Wednesday and had four pins placed in his hand. "Tanner plays a major role in our defense. He is our quarterback on defense," Scott said.

With that trio of players sidelined and rushing leader Tanner Ehrlich nursing an injury, the Yellow Jackets needed to have other players step up.

A pass interception by Dustin Dooley, one of the players filling in for Tetrault, set up the opening score of the game. Micah Nielsen's 21-yard field goal gave BHSU a 3-0 edge at the 6:06 mark of the first quarter.

In the closing minutes of the period, Camp Crook sophomore Forest Sainsbury, last week's DAC Defensive Player of the Week, recovered a Dakota State fumble at the Black Hills 48. Eight plays later, Joe Beehler took a direct snap from center and raced into the end zone from 15 yards out for a touchdown.

"We had Joe playing a little out of position at halfback," Scott said.

With 7:02 left in the half, Nielsen connected on a 22-yard field goal. BHSU owned a 13-0 halftime lead.

On its first series of the second half, the Jackets drove 65 yards in only three plays for six points. Ehrlich's 54-yard run and the ensuing PAT by Nielsen upped the Jackets' lead to 20-0.

BHSU's defense stopped the Trojans on a fourth down rushing attempt on the next series. One possession change later, Tony Dill, a junior defensive back, picked off a DSU aerial. Dakota State played without quarterback Donald Strand, who was injured in last week's loss to Jamestown College. Kyle Young, a converted wide receiver and member of the baseball team, saw the majority of the action as the signal caller.

Young completed 13-of-30 passes for 171 yards. Pat Spielmann snared seven receptions for 85 yards.

Young found Lance Harper on a 35-yard scoring play, putting the visitors on the scoreboard at the 4:26 mark of the third quarter.

Black Hills State added a safety in the final quarter when the Trojans' punter downed the ball in the end zone on a botched snap.

Black Hills, winning its third straight game and fourth in the past five outings, improved to 3-1 in the DAC and 4-3 overall.

Ehrlich churned out 156 yards on the ground. Beehler provided 58 yards.

Drew Hodgs completed 10-of-20 pass attempts for 99 yards.

"Both teams needed this game," Scott said. "I don't think either team had a lot of emotion. It was as gloomy as the day.

"We played it close to the hilt. They (DSU) did a nice job of scouting us. They dared us to let Hodgs throw.

"We did a good job of putting a few first downs together and kept them to a short field. Our defensive line was visibly out-sized. We kept everything in front of us.

"Their quarterback kept us on our heels right up until the end."

Dooley, Garland Sanders and Clayton Schleusner, a sophomore from New Underwood, saw duty as defensive backs.

"It was their turn to make some calls and get things right," Scott said.

Dakota State dropped to 2-2 in the DAC and 3-3 overall. The Trojans have lost the last three meetings versus BHSU in the Missouri River Shootout.

BHSU faces a huge showdown with DAC co-leader Jamestown College on Saturday in Jamestown, N.D.