Big 2nd Half Propels Broncos Past Jimmies
Jamestown, ND - The Hastings College football team took on Jamestown on cold and windy afternoon in the final game ever to be held at Rollie Greeno Field as the Broncos defeated the Jimmies 34-7.
The game started off with an impressive first drive by the Broncos as Hastings turned to the ground game as Tyree Nesmith (SR/Baltimore, MD) (SR/Baltimore, MD) carried the ball nine times on the drive. HC marched all the way down to the Jimmie one yard line but on fourth down, a low snap caused John Zamora (SO/San Antonio, TX ) (SO/San Antonio, TX ) to fumble and as he recovered it, he would be tackled back at the five as the drive stalled.
The Jimmie offense moved the ball well on its first drive marching down to the Hastings 19 yard line where they lined up for a field goal. The Jimmies tried a fake field goal where Audrece Dickson came away with the interception as the game remained tied 0-0 with 2:07 left in the first quarter.
After the first 16-play drive came up short, Hastings put together another impressive drive marching 81 yards in 17 plays mixing the run and pass. The drive would eventually stall at the Jamestown four where Jason Bachle (SO/Grand Island, NE) (SO/Grand Island, NE) made a 21-yard field goal for the 3-0 lead early in the 2nd quarter. Bachle would add another field goal with under a minute to play in the half as Hastings held a 6-0 lead at halftime.
That score remained until Hastings' second drive of the third quarter. Facing a third-and-15 from the Bronco 40, Zamora hit his check down in Nesmith on the far sideline where he broke two tackles right at the first down marker and then raced the rest of the way for the touchdown. Hastings now led 13-0 following Bachle's extra point.
With the defense forcing a three-and-out, the offense went right back to work moving the ball quickly from its 24 down to the UJ 20 in just five plays. Then Zamora looked for John Austin (FR/St. Joseph, MO) in the back of the endzone where Austin made an incredible adjustment coming down with the TD grab and the 20-0 lead with 2:56 to play in the third quarter.
The Broncos would then catch a break on the next Jamestown possession when a bad snap rolled deep into Jamestown territory where Steel Willis (SR/Houston, TX) was able to cover it up giving the Bronco offense tremendous field position.
It took Hastings just four plays to score when Zamora connected with Sam Marsh (JR/Casper, WY) for the touchdown and the 27-0 lead.
After UJ took advantage of a muffed punt to make it 27-7, Hastings had one more big play left in its bag as Nesmith took the second down handoff and busted through the defense rumbling 67 yard for the touchdown and the 34-7 lead.
With under three minutes to play, Hastings added the final dagger when Robert Hernandez (SR/Salinas, CA) jumped on a fumble with 2:39 to go sealing the 34-7 victory.
Nesmith had a big day on the ground rushing 25 times for a career high 191 yards and a touchdown. He also had two catches for 64 yards and a score. Brett Simonsen (SO/Sutton, NE) added 64 yards on 19 carries. Hastings finished with day with 291 yards rushing.
Zamora had a career day connecting on 13-of-22 passes for 233 yards and a career high three touchdowns. Marsh led all receivers with 75 yards on five catches and a score.
Tydus Clay (JR/Conroe, TX) led the defense with 10 total tackles including a career high 3.5 tackles for loss and a sack. Willis finished with three total tackles including 1.5 tackles for loss, a sack and a fumble recovery.
DaeRon Jones (JR/Kansas City, MO) along with Dickson each finished with an INT.
Hastings out gained the Jimmies 524-218.
Hastings improves to 2-4 (2-4) and will be back in action Saturday Nov. 7 as Northwestern comes to town with kick-off set for 1:00 p.m. on Lloyd Wilson Field.
