Murphy's Kick Return for a TD Proves to be Difference as Football Edges Jamestown.

Jamestown, ND – The Hastings College football team earned its seventh victory of the season by defeating Jamestown 23-16 on Saturday afternoon. This is the first time since 2009 that the Broncos have reached the seven-win plateau.

The offenses struggled in the first quarter combining for just one first down in each of the teams first three possessions. After the Jimmies picked up the first first down of the game, Cade Torgerson would fumble on third down where Mason Catterson jumped on the loose ball giving the Broncos great field position at its own 48.

This is where the offense would finally get things going as John Zamora rushed for nine yards on the first play. Two plays later, Brett Simonsen broke free for a 14 yard run down to the Jamestown 29. Hastings moved the ball to the Jimmie 20 when Zamora broke free on third and 12 scrambling down to the one and just one play later, Simonsen scored from one yard out as Hastings had the 7-0 lead late in the first quarter.

On Hastings' next possession, they moved the ball deep into Jimmie territory only to see a fumble end the promising drive at the Jamestown 12. The Bronco defense again showed up to play in the first half not allowing Jamestown to even threaten to score.

Once the defense got the ball back for the offense, Hastings put together its best drive of the day marching 81 yards highlighted by two Garrett Esch catches of 32 yards and 24 yards. The drive would eventually stall out as Jason Bachle came in and drilled the 28 yard field goal into the wind to make it 10-0 in favor of the Broncos at halftime. Hastings had 194 yards of offense while Jamestown had 137 at the break.

After the teams traded punts to start the third quarter, Hastings would find itself in great field position at the Jamestown 40 and on second and nine, Zamora found a open Jaishawn Wright as he then used his speed to breakaway into the end zone for the touchdown but the extra point failed as Hastings now led 16-0.

Jamestown then found its offense on the next drive marching 75 yards in 10 plays when Torgerson found Javon Bowie-Monteiro to make it a 16-6 game following the failed two-point conversion.

The Bronco offense then couldn't get anything going on the next drive and punted the ball back to the Jimmies. Jamestown went 50 yards in 10 plays and picked up an Aanon Peterson field goal to make it a one score game at 16-9 with 14:50 to play.

On the ensuing kickoff, Antoine Murphy caught the ball at the Bronco 14, broke a couple of tackles and raced his way 86 yards for his first career kick return for a touchdown as Hastings moved the lead back to 14 at 23-9 but there was still 14:37 on the clock. And of course no one wanted to remember what Torgerson did last year leading a comeback through the air to defeat Hastings 31-28 on Homecoming.

The Bronco defense made quick work of the Jimmie offense holding them to a three and out on the next two possessions. But the offense had stalled out and following a short punt, Jamestown had a short field marching down to the Hastings 27 but on third down EJ Hernandez tackled Torgerson back at the 43 setting up a fourth and 26. Unfortunately for Hastings, they converted in on a 33 yard pass to Dawson Schmidt to the Bronco 10. Hastings held them to yet another fourth down but this time would stop the Jimmies and turn them over on downs with 2:59 to play in the game.

The Bronco offense was unable to pick up a first down on its next possession and with Jamestown using its timeouts, the Jimmies got the ball back with 2:07 on the clock. Torgerson completed another fourth down completion and then found Bowie-Monteiro for a 19 yard touchdown as the Jimmies were within seven points once again.

Jamestown then tried the onside kick only to have Hastings recover and two kneel downs ended the game as Hastings came away with the seven point victory. This time there would be no comeback as the Broncos came away with the hard fought victory.

Hastings finished the day with 277 yards of offense compared to 370 for Jamestown. But you have to consider the 86 yard kickoff return when you look at that total.

Zamora finished with game going 18-for-27 for 194 yards and a touchdown. Simonsen rushed the ball 22 times for 61 yards and a score. Esch finished the game with 56 yards receiving while Wright finished with 53 yards and a score.

Paitz had a big day with six tackles and four pass breakups while Koby Brandenburg, Caden Egr and Jayden Roberts all had a total of six tackles. Egr and Roberts each recorded a sack. Jesse Ulrich finished with three tackles and three pass breakups.

Hastings improves to 7-2 (6-2) on the year and will have a buy week this next week before hitting the road to take on Dordt Nov. 5 with kickoff set for 1:00 pm in Sioux Center, IA.