JAMESTOWN– (uj.edu)”Indescribable.”
Such were University of Jamestown quarterback Jordan Mann (JR/Bismarck, N.D.)’s feelings after Saturday’s 28-26 victory over Valley City State (N.D.) University at Rollie Greeno Field.
The win snapped the Jimmies’ eight-game losing streak to the rival Vikings in the storied Paint Bucket Series. In addition to defeating VCSU for the first time since 2013, UJ also ended a skid of six straight season-opening losses.
Mann scored from a yard out with 4:03 remaining, and following Kai Madela (FR/Henderson, Nev.)’s extra point, the Jimmies led 28-20. On VCSU’s ensuing possession, Louis Quinones capped off a 10 play, 66-yard drive with a one-yard scoring run of his own to cut the deficit to 28-26. With 43 seconds left, the Vikings’ two-point conversion attempt was thwarted by a strong Jimmie defensive effort, and a chance to send the game into overtime fell by the wayside.
Jamestown turned out 362 yards of total offense, including 231 on the ground. Jimmy Hatch (JR/Sacramento, Calif.) carried 16 times for 102 yards and a pair of scores while Allen Jevning (SO/Brainerd, Minn.) ran for 80 yards on 18 carries.
Mann completed 8 of 19 passes for 131 yards, including a 33-yard touchdown strike to Barry Williams, Jr. for the first UJ touchdown of the day. Williams finished with three catches for 77 yards. While many fans were remarking about Williams’ big play ability, Jimmie head coach Josh Kittell wasn’t surprised.
“I told Barry Williams everybody’s going to know (his) name after today,” Kittell said. “He made a heckuva grab, then made a few plays that led to the next touchdown. We’ve got some talent now; we’ve got a good group of young kids that are going to be household names for the next four years.”
Jake Peterson had a big day receiving for the visitors, pulling in 10 catches for 134 yards and a pair of scores. Following a three-and-out by the Jimmies to open the game, Peterson was on the other end of a 52-yard pass from Jalen Pfeifer on the Vikings’ first play from scrimmage that put VCSU ahead 7-0.
Pfeifer completed 21-of-33 passes for 212 yards and two touchdowns. Quinones rushed for 87 yards on 25 carries.
Caleb Ellingson (SR/Jamestown, N.D.) had a huge day defensively for Jamestown, finishing with 16 tackles (8 solo), including 2 1/2 tackles for loss. Defensive linemen Andrew Jensen (SR/Gardnerville, Nev.) and Zach Phillips (SR/Greenfield, Ind.) both had six stops, while Aundre Purnell (SO/Garden Grove, Calif.), Jordan Olson (FR/Prior Lake, Minn.), and Morgan Borland (SR/Brownsville, Texas) all added five tackles a piece.
Jamestown (1-0) travels to Dickinson State (N.D.) next Saturday while the Vikings (0-1) welcome Northwestern (Iowa).
