JAMESTOWN, N.D. – A late touchdown brought the University of Jamestown football team within striking distance, but a second-half deficit proved too much to overcome as the Jimmies fell 12-7 to Southwest Minnesota State University in a hard-fought defensive battle Saturday at Charlotte & Gordon Hansen Stadium.

In a game played through persistent rain, points were at a premium. The visiting Mustangs got on the board first when a Jimmie snap went through the end zone for a safety with 9:38 left in the first quarter, giving SMSU a 2-0 lead that would hold through halftime.
 
Southwest Minnesota State extended its lead in the third quarter, first with a 25-yard field goal from Mason Carver at the 9:34 mark. Later in the quarter, quarterback Macloud Crowton found Jerid Fearing for a 22-yard touchdown pass, pushing the Mustang lead to 12-0 with 3:05 remaining in the period.
 
The Jimmies' offense came to life in the fourth quarter. After a promising drive early in the period ended in a fumble deep in Mustang territory, Jamestown's defense forced a punt. The offense responded with its most successful drive of the day, a seven-play, 66-yard march down the field. Nicholas Martinez capped the drive by connecting with Zach Hammett for a 10-yard touchdown pass, cutting the deficit to 12-7 with 9:10 left to play.
 
Jamestown had one final opportunity, driving into Mustang territory late in the game, but an interception by SMSU's Parker Knutson—his second of the day—sealed the victory for the visitors.
 
The Jimmies outgained the Mustangs in total offense, 358 yards to 232. Martinez completed 21 of 32 passes for 260 yards and a touchdown. He also led the team on the ground with 45 rushing yards on nine carries.
 
Wide receiver Nate Burke was Martinez's top target, hauling in four passes for a game-high 122 yards, including a 47-yard reception that set up a scoring chance at the end of the first half. Hammett was a workhorse out of the backfield, carrying the ball 21 times for 53 yards and catching five passes for 19 yards, including the lone Jimmie touchdown.
 
Defensively, Luke Van Den Berg led Jamestown with eight tackles, including seven solo stops and a tackle for loss. Zach Mueller added seven tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss, while Antonio Bernardini recorded the team's only sack.
 
The Jimmies (0-2, 0-2 NSIC) will look to bounce back next Saturday when they host Minnesota State. Game is time is set for 1 p.m..