JAMESTOWN, N.D.-- The University of Jamestown football team found itself with a chance to overcome a fourth-quarter deficit for the third game in a row, but a defensive stand by Minot State University sent the Jimmies to a 28-20 defeat Saturday afternoon at Charlotte & Gordon Hansen Stadium.
Neither team was able to put points on the board in the opening quarter. Minot State (2-5 overall, 2-4 NSIC) piled up 78 rushing yards and four rushing first downs in the period, while UJ finished with 53 total yards and converted 1 of 2 fourth downs, but were 0-for-4 on third down. The Jimmies (0-7, 0-6 NSIC) recorded a blocked 55-yard field-goal attempt by
Jackson Walters and a fumble recovery by
Spencer Russell after
Zach Mueller forced the ball loose.
In the second quarter, the Beavers did most of their damage on the ground, rushing for 172 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries while holding a 10-3 edge in first downs. The Jimmies' lone scoring drive of the quarter included a fourth-and-1 conversion at the Minot State 31 and a 29-yard
Jacob Mattick touchdown run, but Brandon Hines Jr. followed with a 57-yard touchdown run as Minot State outscored the Jimmies 14-6 in the quarter to lead 14-6 at halftime.
MSU controlled the ball in the third quarter, racking up 13:24 of possession, gaining 102 yards rushing and converting on 4-for-7 third down chances as well as both of their fourth down opportunities. UJ managed one offensive series for one yard in the quarter, with
Kobe Irmen's 65-yard punt pinning Minot State at its 3 before the visitors' long drive carried to the Jimmies 5 as the quarter ended 14-6.
The Jimmies scored on a 22-yard
Matthew Dosch pass to
Ethan Hoffman to cut the lead to 21-13 with 10:39 to play, only to have the Beavers retake a two-score lead following Hines Jr.'s 73-yard touchdown run 71 seconds later. Mattick's 7-yard run capped an 11-play, 75-yard drive to bring Jamestown within 28-20 at the 5:14 mark. UJ then forced a late fumble, giving the offense one more chance to draw even. Jamestown made its way down to the MSU 4 before turning the ball over on downs.
Minot State finished with 500 yards, including 466 on 64 rushing attempts, and converted 10 of 17 third downs, while holding the ball for 33:09. The Jimmies produced 163 passing yards and 112 rushing yards, converted 2 of 4 fourth downs, recovered two fumbles, and also blocked a field-goal attempt.
Mattick completed 17 of 28 passes for 141 yards and rushed for 34 yards and two touchdowns. Hoffman caught four passes for 51 yards and a touchdown.
Zach Mueller recorded 17 tackles and forced a fumble.
Hines Jr. rushed 11 times for 198 yards and two touchdowns. Lundeen carried 17 times for 103 yards and two touchdowns, and Jaden Fox added 103 rushing yards on 24 carries. Jabez Tuaoa recorded seven tackles and two sacks.
Up next, UJ hosts Bemidji State University at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24.
