University of Jamestown Jimmies Rally Late but Fall Short Against Marauders: A Thrilling Showdown

JAMESTOWN, N.D. — The University of Jamestown football team faced a tough challenge against the University of Mary Marauders, losing 44-22 at Charlotte & Gordon Hansen Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The Marauders were strong from the start, piling up a total of 523 yards of offense and controlling the game clock for over 36 minutes. Quarterback Ryan Blair had a standout performance, throwing for 341 yards and three touchdowns. Meanwhile, running back Xavier Brackenridge added 119 rushing yards and a touchdown of his own.

Facing a 27-0 deficit at halftime, the Jimmies (1-4 overall, 1-4 NSIC) showed some heart in the second half, outscoring the Marauders (3-3, 2-3 NSIC) 22-17.

Quarterback Cole Hentges led the charge with two touchdown passes and 210 passing yards. His targets included tight end Jordan Theisen, who caught a 2-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter. Wide receiver Nate Burke also got into the end zone with an 11-yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter. Hentges capped off the scoring with a 1-yard rushing touchdown, followed by a successful two-point conversion.

Hentges’ main target was wide receiver Erastus Antsino, who made seven catches for 84 yards, highlighted by a long 45-yard reception.

Although the Jimmies managed 279 total yards of offense, they struggled to keep pace with the Marauders in terms of yardage and time of possession, which were heavily in UMary’s favor (36:48 to 23:12).

On defense, linebacker Gunner Stephens and defensive back Ryan Beams made significant contributions, each recording six tackles. Trayten Johnson also stood out with Jamestown’s only sack of the game, resulting in an 11-yard loss. The Jimmies’ defense also forced two fumbles, with Hershell Jefferson recovering one.

Next up, the Jimmies will travel to Minot State University to face the Beavers on Saturday at 2:00 p.m.

Football statistics show that games with high yardage often correlate with winning. In fact, data from the NCAA indicates that teams with over 400 total yards of offense win about 75% of their games. This further highlights the significant gap in performance between the two teams on Saturday.

Fans reacted passionately on social media, expressing frustration over the early deficit but appreciating the team’s second-half effort. With their record now behind them, supporters look forward to seeing how the Jimmies will adapt in their next challenge.

For more insights into college football statistics, you can check out the NCAA’s official statistics page here.

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