ST. PAUL, Minn. - Under sunny skies at Sea Foam Stadium, the University of Jamestown football team delivered their most complete performance of the season so far Saturday, showcasing a dominant effort on both sides of the ball to secure a decisive 33-22 road victory over the Concordia-St. Paul Golden Bears, their first since joining the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.
In front of a crowd of 1,269, quarterback
Cole Hentges established himself as a dual-threat force, accounting for four total touchdowns. Meanwhile, the Jimmies' opportunistic defense came away with four crucial interceptions, stifling the Golden Bears' offense for much of the game.
The Jimmies (1-3, 1-3 NSIC) set the tone on their opening possession, methodically marching down the field on a 13-play, 62-yard drive that Hentges capped with a one-yard touchdown run. While the Golden Bears answered with a field goal, Jamestown's offense exploded in the second quarter.
Hentges found the end zone again on a tough six-yard run before unleashing the game's most electrifying play. He connected with receiver
Erastus Antsino, who streaked past the secondary for a stunning 89-yard touchdown pass, blowing the game open and pushing the Jimmies' lead to 20-3.
Concordia-St. Paul (1-4, 1-3)Â showed signs of life with a touchdown just before halftime, but the third quarter belonged entirely to Jamestown. The Jimmies opened the second half with a master class in ball control, orchestrating a marathon 19-play, 65-yard drive that consumed an incredible ten minutes and thirty-two seconds of clock time. Hentges finished the drive with his third rushing touchdown of the day.
The knockout blow came just moments later when, on the Golden Bears' very next play from scrimmage, Jamestown's
Hershell Jefferson intercepted a pass and returned it 37 yards for a touchdown, extending the lead to a commanding 33-10.
The Golden Bears, to their credit, did not go quietly. They mounted a late comeback attempt in the fourth quarter, with Troy Ellison scoring two touchdowns—one rushing and one receiving—to close the gap to 33-22. However, the rally was too little, too late. The Jimmies' defense, which had bent but never broken, held firm, and the offense expertly managed the clock in the final minutes to seal the victory.
Hentges finished an efficient day with 197 yards and a touchdown on 14-for-25 passing, complemented by 117 yards and three touchdowns on the ground.
The Jimmies' defense was a turnover machine, with interceptions by Jefferson,
Evan Smith, and an impressive pair of picks by
Tanner Chaffee, completely shutting down the Golden Bears' passing attack when it mattered most.
Zach Mueller had a team-high six tackles, while Smith and
Josh Bosacker added five each.
Jack Young recorded a sack and the defense came up with five tackles for loss on the day.
UJ returns to Charlotte & Gordon Hansen Stadium on Saturday, October 4 to host University of Mary for Homecoming at 1 p.m.
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