Jimmies lose in double OT to Dakota State

Close losses have become all too common of late for the Jimmies.

Saturday, it happened again.

After Matt Mithaugen’s 8-yard touchdown catch from Beau Eriksson in double overtime, Jamestown College opted to go for two and the win over Dakota State. But Eriksson’s pass intended for Michael Sena was off the mark and the Jimmies fell to Dakota State 35-34.

The Jimmies fell to 3-6 with the loss, but their last three defeats are by a combined five points.

Dakota State, which won for just the second time this season, forced OT with a game-tying drive capped by Brandon Large’s 9-yard strike to Carl Curtis with just seven seconds left in regulation.

The Trojans’ drive came after the Jimmies took a 28-21 lead on a 40-yard touchdown burst up the middle on 4th-and-1 at the Dakota State 41-yard line with three minutes and 22 seconds left in regulation.

Neither team scored in the first overtime. Ryan Benke missed a 38-yard field goal attempt, which was followed by Nic Behrens shanking a 24-yarder.

Dakota State, which rolled up 526 yards of offense on the Jimmies, scored on three plays to start the second OT.

The Jimmies needed four plays to answer, but the 2-pointer to win it misfired.

Eriksson had a strong game otherwise in just his second start. The redshirt freshman from Devils Lake had just six incompletions in 24 attempts and threw for 214 yards.

Mithaugen, a senior from Fergus Falls, had his best game of the season, churning out 93 yards on 16 carries. Sena, a freshman wideout from California, reeled in four balls for 99 yards.

The JC defense had its shakiest outing in a couple of months. They allowed an 83-yard touchdown pass and 239 yards rushing. They did not record a sack or force turnover. Rob Gibson had 10 tackles, including five solos. A.J. Downs and Reid Haagenson each had five solo tackles.

Penalties were a problem again for Jamestown College. They were flagged nine times for 90 yards.

The Jimmies have two weeks before they close out the season at home Nov. 10 against Mayville State.

Dakota State 35, Jamestown College 34, 2 OTs

Jimmies 0 7 7 14 0 6 — 34

Trojans 3 7 3 15 0 7 — 35

Scoring summary

First quarter

DSU—Nic Behrens 37 yard field goal, 1:02.

Second quarter

DSU—Stacey Berg 83 pass from Brandon Large (Behrens kick), 8:57.

JC—Matt Mithaugen 1 run (Ryan Benke kick), 4:44.

Third quarter

DSU—Behrens 28 field goal, 5:39.

JC—Michael Sena 58 pass from Beau Eriksson (Benke kick), :19.

Fourth quarter

JC—Sena 13 pass from Eriksson (Benke kick), 5:22.

DSU—Bobby Tisch 8 pass from Large (Bryson Hunter pass from Large), 3:22.

JC—Mithaugen 40 run (Benke kick), 1:35.

DSU—Carl Curtis 9 pass from Large (Behrens kick), :07.

First overtime

No scoring.

Second overtime

DSU—John Niesen 1 run (Behrens kick).

JC—Mithaugen 8 pass from Eriksson (pass failed).

Team statistics

JC DSU

First downs 17 28

Rushes-yards 35-135 55-239

Comp-Att-Int 18-24-0 23-36-0

Passing yards 214 287

Total offense 349 526

Fumbles-lost 1-1 3-2

Punts-avg. 5-35 3-34

Penalties-yards 9-90 3-15

Individual statistics

Jamestown College

Rushing: Matt Mithaugen 16-93, Lance Johansen 8-24, Beau Eriksson 6-17, Steven Nelms 2-3, Matt Wilson 1-0, Dan Snider 1-(1-).

Passing: Eriksson 18-24 214 yards 3 TDs.

Receiving: Michael Sena 4-99, Trent Roemmich 3-34, Derrick Dohmann 2-24, Mithaugen 3-18, Jacob Erbes 2-15, Tyler Spanton 2-13, Johansen 1-6, Wilson 1-5.

Dakota State

Rushing: John Niesen 25-132, Kris Dearie 15-50, Peter Malaga 10-40, Brandon Large 4-30.

Passing: Large 23-36 287 yards 3 TDs.

Receiving: Stacey Berg 5-120, Bobby Tisch 11-103, Carl Curtis 4-46, Dearie 1-9, Niesen 1-8, Bryson Hunter 1-1.

Records: Dakota State 2-8; Jamestown College 3-6.

Sun sports editor Dave Selvig can be reached at (701) 952-8460 or by e-mail at daves@jamestownsun.com

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