JAMESTOWN, N.D. – The University of Jamestown and University of Minnesota Duluth combined for over 1000 yards Saturday afternoon at Charlotte & Gordon Hansen Stadium, but it was the 13th-ranked Bulldogs who came away with a 45-29 victory
UJ quarterback Cole Hentges was sensational, putting on an aerial show for the home crowd. Hentges completed 27 of 39 passes for 387 yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions. Despite the Jimmies' offensive fireworks, a powerful Bulldogs rushing attack that amassed 320 yards proved to be the difference.
The Jimmies' offense struck early and often with big plays, refusing to let the Bulldogs pull away. All four Jamestown touchdowns came through the air from Hentges, each to a different receiver:
Hunter Ruzicka scored Jamestown's opening touchdown in the first quarter, taking a pass from Hentges and racing 60 yards for a touchdown to tie the game 8-8. In the third quarter, Zach Hammett hauled in a 14-yard touchdown pass to cap a 13-play, 75-yard drive.
Just minutes later, Nate Burke electrified the stadium by catching a pass and sprinting 79 yards for a touchdown, pulling the Jimmies within ten. Erastus Antsino capped the scoring with a 38-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter.
Burke finished with a game-high 135 receiving yards on seven catches, while Antsino added 61 yards and Ruzicka had 60 on their lone touchdown receptions. The Jimmies (1-7 overall, 1-7 NSIC) posted an impressive 448 total yards of offense, with 387 coming through the air.
Defensively, linebacker Zach Mueller led the Jimmies with 10 total tackles, while defensive back Ryan Beams added eight. Tanner Chaffee recorded the team's lone takeaway with an interception in the red zone just before halftime, stopping a UMD scoring threat.
UMD (8-1 overall, 7-1 NSIC) was also powered by a dynamic offense. Quarterback Kyle Walljasper was responsible for five total touchdowns, throwing for 235 yards and four scores while adding another 61 yards and a touchdown on the ground. His primary target was tight end Luke Dehnicke, who had a dominant performance with 150 receiving yards and three touchdowns. On the ground, Zachary Welch broke free for 141 rushing yards, including a 54-yard run, to lead a rushing attack that totaled 320 yards. Defensively for UMD, linebacker Mojo Weerts recorded five tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and a sack.
The Jimmies play their final road game of the year next Saturday against MSU Moorhead, with kickoff set for 12 p.m.
