Minot ND (UJ) – The University of Jamestown football team suffered a narrow 35-28 defeat to the Minot State Beavers Saturday at First Western Bank Field at Herb Parker Stadium.

The Jimmies’ ground game kept them within striking distance throughout the contest, but Minot State ultimately prevailed behind a dominant rushing performance of their own.

Jamestown (1-5 overall, 1-5 NSIC) matched the Beavers (2-5, 2-4 NSIC) score-for-score early, holding the game to a 14-14 tie deep into the second quarter, but a late Minot State touchdown proved to be the difference-maker.

UJ leaned heavily on their rushing attack, accounting for all four touchdowns and amassing 205 rushing yards on the day. Quarterback Cole Hentges and running back Zach Hammett led the way, each recording two rushing touchdowns. Hammett found the end zone twice on 16 carries for 66 yards, scoring from three yards out in the first quarter and three yards out in the fourth. Hentges had a five-yard rushing touchdown in the second and ran in from one yard out in the fourth, finishing with 111 rushing yards on 25 attempts.

Hentges added 152 yards through the air, including a critical 47-yard connection to Ethan Hoffman that set up the Jimmies’ late fourth-quarter touchdown to briefly take the lead, 28-27.

The Beavers controlled the line of scrimmage, generating 371 rushing yards while outgaining Jamestown in total offense 429 to 357. The Jimmies were highly efficient in the red zone, converting all four attempts into touchdowns.

Linebacker Gunnar Stephens led the defensive unit with an impressive 12 total tackles (6 solo, 6 assisted). Defensive backs Zach Mueller (10 tackles) and Ryan Beams (7 tackles) provided solid support. Defensive lineman John Hulquest recorded the defense’s only fumble recovery after a forced fumble by Mueller.

Despite the back-and-forth scoring battle, Minot State’s final rushing touchdown with 1:44 remaining in the fourth quarter sealed the win. The Jimmies had one final possession, starting at their own 24 yard line. A 23-yard pass from Hentges to Gage Solano started the drive, and a pair of completions totaling 16 yards to Nate Burke helped UJ get down to the Minot State 35 yard line. On fourth-and-ten, a Hentges pass to Hoffmann was incomplete, giving the ball back to Minot State with 45 seconds remaining.

Jamestown has a bye week before returning to the field October 25 at Bemidji State.