JAMESTOWN, N.D. – As the October chill settles over the 2026 gridiron campaign, the University of Jamestown Jimmies and University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs find themselves on vastly different trajectories entering the final stretch of the season.
Game Information
The Teams
It has been a tough campaign in Jamestown, with the Jimmies still searching for their first victory at 0-8 overall and 0-7 in conference action. Offensive consistency has been a hurdle, as the unit is averaging 9.5 points and 244.5 total yards per game. Despite the team's overarching struggles, individual bright spots have emerged. Running back
Mason Whitley has battled in the trenches for 331 rushing yards, averaging 4.5 yards per touch and scoring a pair of touchdowns. Under center,
Jacob Mattick has thrown for 713 yards and three scores, frequently looking the way of
Gage Solano, who leads the receiving corps with 24 catches for 274 yards. Defensively,
Zach Mueller has anchored the unit with a team-high 46 tackles and two sacks. He is closely followed by
Josh Bosacker, who has tallied 43 stops and 5.5 tackles for loss to help contain the opposition.
UJ hosted Bemidji State last Saturday at Charlotte & Gordon Hansen Stadium, falling 33-0 to the Beavers. BSU controlled the game on both sides of the ball, outgaining the Jimmies 368 to 249 in total offense. Quarterback Connor Carver fueled the Beavers' passing attack, completing 7 of 16 passes for 189 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception. He also led the team in rushing with 81 yards. Carver's primary target was Tyree Lockett, who hauled in four passes for 111 yards and two touchdowns (from 26 and 51 yards out). Lucas Peterson added a 53-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter.
The Beavers' defense extended the lead in the third quarter when Ray Iglesias recovered a fumble and returned it 75 yards for a touchdown. Kicker Kyle Nadler finalized the scoring with field goals of 37 and 32 yards.
For the Jimmies, quarterback
Jacob Mattick completed 12 of 24 pass attempts for 127 yards and one interception.
Gage Solano led the Jimmies in receiving with four catches for 44 yards, while
Mason Whitley paced the ground game with 42 yards on 11 carries. Defensively,
Evan Smith and
Josh Bosacker each recorded a sack for Jamestown.
Minnesota Duluth has surged to a 6-2 overall record, including a dominant 6-1 mark in NSIC action. UMD has relied on a balanced, high-powered attack that averages 26.4 points and 363.9 yards of total offense per contest. The ground game is punishing opponents behind Derrick Johnson, who has racked up 662 rushing yards on an efficient 6.2 yards per carry while crossing the goal line seven times. Through the air, quarterback Jacob Eggert has steered the ship with 1,075 passing yards and six touchdowns, completing 64.5 percent of his attempts. On the other side of the ball, the Bulldog defense has suffocated opposing offenses, surrendering just 16.9 points per game. Jayce Walrath has been a disruptive force, leading the team with 48 total tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, and five sacks.
Last week, following a scoreless first half against UMary, UMD broke the tie in the third quarter with a 22-yard touchdown run by Derrick Johnson and a 28-yard field goal from Drew Henson. The Marauders responded early in the fourth quarter with a one-yard touchdown run by Xavier Brackenridge and a 28-yard scoring pass from Ryan Blair to Seb Harris. Following Harris's touchdown, UMD's Jayce Walrath returned the ensuing PAT attempt 100 yards for two points, giving the Bulldogs a 13-12 advantage. UMD secured the victory with a 50-yard touchdown pass from Riley Grossman to Parker Schuh and a 15-yard touchdown run by Ryder Patterson late in the fourth quarter.
For UMD, Grossman threw for 132 yards and one touchdown, while Johnson led the rushing attack with 17 carries for 80 yards and a score. Francis O'Malley also contributed a 62-yard run. Defensively, Ross Rivord and Walrath paced the Bulldogs with nine tackles each, with Walrath adding a sack.
Series History
Saturday is just the second time the Jimmies and Bulldogs will meet on the gridiron. The first meeting came November 1 of last season in Jamestown, with UMD taking a 45-29 victory. After falling behind 24-8 at the half, UJ was able to get within 31-21 following a 79-yard touchdown pass from
Cole Hentges to
Nate Burke. However, the Bulldogs scored with 35 seconds left in the third quarter, then added another touchdown at the 6:01 mark to go ahead by 24 points.
Team Stats
| |
Jamestown |
Minnesota Duluth |
| Record |
0-8, 0-7 NSIC |
6-2, 6-1 NSIC |
| Points / Game |
9.5 |
26.4 |
| Opp. Points / Game |
30.8 |
16.9 |
| Total Yards / Game |
244.5 |
363.9 |
| Passing Yards / Game |
111.0 |
166.1 |
| Rushing Yards / Game |
133.5 |
197.8 |
| 1st Downs / Game |
14.0 |
19.0 |
| 3rd Down Conversion Rate |
25% (28-111) |
36% (41-113) |
| 4th Down Conversion Rate |
34% (11-32) |
69% (11-16) |
| Avg. TOP / Game |
28:05 |
34:14 |
