BISMARCK, ND – Homecoming brought out the best in the University of Mary as memorable plays on both sides of the ball earned the Marauders a scrappy 21-13 win over the University of Jamestown.
Karsyn Jablonski caught a pair of long touchdowns from
Ryan Blair and
Xavier Brackenridge broke a long run for a score as UMary reeled off 21-straight points to take the lead. Defensively the Marauders twice stopped the Jimmies in the red zone, and both times UMary turned the stops into scores.
After a scoreless first quarter the Jimmies broke into the end zone at 10:02 of the second on a 3-yard run by Andres Bonilla.
The Jimmies looked to double their lead on their next possession, driving to the Marauders 16-yard line. But a pass to the back left corner of the endzone was intercepted by
Justus Breston for a touchback to end the scoring hopes for Jamestown.
UMary immediately took advantage of the turnover as three plays later a 71-yard touchdown strike from Blair to Jablonski tied the game 7-7. Jablonski hauled in a pass over his shoulder at midfield, stepped out of a tackle attempt and casually strolled the remaining 50 yards for the score with five minutes left in the second quarter.
The Marauders defense came up big again in the third quarter. Starting at the UMary 10-yard line after recovering a fumble, Jamestown moved to the UMary 1. Facing a 4
th-and-goal, the Marauders defensive line stuffed the run by the Jimmies as
Travis Biery stopped the ballcarrier just short of the goal line.
Backed up to the goal line, the Marauders methodically moved the ball down the field by successfully mixing the run and pass. After 13 plays moved UMary to the Jamestown 31, the Marauders pulled out some trickeration.
In shotgun,
Hudsen Sheldon lateralled the ball to Blair, who was lined up wide right. Blair then launched a perfectly-placed strike to the end zone with the ball settling into the hands of Jablonski for the 14-7 go-ahead touchdown with 35 seconds left in the third.
The 99-yard drive required 14 plays and consumed 8:01 of the clock.
Continuing to play intimidating defense,
Vegas George sacked the Jimmies quarterback and forced a fumble recovered by
Sean Cotten at the UMary 35. Seven plays later Brackenridge burst through the middle of the line and sprinted 46 yards for the clinching touchdown, pushing the Marauders lead to 21-7 with 4:33 to play.
The Jimmies threw a scare into the homecoming crowd as they pulled with 21-13 with 2:11 and then recovered an onside kick at the UMary 39. But the Marauders held tight a
Christopher Federico posted a sack on second down and Cam Brusven broke up a pass on third down before a failed fourth down pass attempt gave the ball back to UMary. Two plays out of victory formation later and the Marauders had the win over their I-94 rival.
For the 4
th time in six games the Marauders held an opponent to under 300 yards. The Jimmies managed just 12 first downs and 250 yards of offense (158 rushing,
92 passing).
The Marauders generated 362 yards, including 280 through the air, and 17 first downs. UMary also held the ball for 34:17 yp 25:43 for Jamestown.
Jablonski caught 11 passes for 206 yards and two scores. The yardage is a career-high and the two scores ties his personal best.
Blair completed 25-of-31 passes for 280 yards and two scores.
Desmond Duffy added eight catches for 47 yards.
Brackenridge finished with 91 yards rushing with a score on 18 carries.
One of the nation's leading tacklers, Federico had 3.0 tackles for loss, including a sack. He had nine solo tackles.
Brusven made a team-leading 10 tackles – all solo – and added 2.0 tackles for loss. He also broke up a pass. George had a sack and a forced fumble and Cotton added a sack with a fumble recovery.
Evan Smith led the Jimmies with two tackles for loss. Bonilla ran for 65 yards.
The Marauders next visit MSU Moorhead in the Battle for the Paddle. Kickoff is 12 noon on October 10 in Moorhead, MN.
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