Box Score GLENDORA — After falling down early, Humboldt State's Lumberjacks picked themselves up and stood tall Saturday, ending their two-game losing streak with a 24-20 win over Azusa Pacific. It wasn't an easy rise, as the Jacks stumbled along the way while improving their record to 5-2 overall and 4-2 in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference.

"After the frustration this team has gone through the past two weeks, it's a sweet victory," HSU head coach Rob Smith said. "Our players showed a lot of perseverance and character tonight."

Nick Ricciardulli carried the ball a Great Northwest Athletic Conference record 45 times, taking his team along for the ride with 251 yards rushing, the third best single-game performance in Humboldt State history. Ricciardulli's effort overcame the previous total of 40 carries in a game achieved by Central Washington's Nat Conley in 1991.

The performance was Ricciardulli's sixth game over 100 yards rushing this season, and the second time he passed the 200-yard benchmark. As planned, Ricciardulli was counted on to shoulder much of the burden to relieve pressure from redshirt freshman quarterback Casey Mintz, who was starting his first collegiate game.

"(Ricciardulli) keeps going and going," Smith said. "Behind an offensive line that allowed us to rush for 281 yards, we ultimately did what we wanted, but getting down early made it a very close game."

HSU's steadfast approach quickly became important when the Cougars, now 0-6 overall and 0-5 in the GNAC, put two touchdowns on the scoreboard more quickly than the large gathering of HSU alumni in attendance had settled in their seats. Their opening drive covered 60 yards in only five plays, quarterback Nick Owens completing a 30-yard pass to Wade Struiksma that set up a 8-yard completion to tight end Kevin Schick for the touchdown.

Mintz' debut as the Lumberjacks starting quarterback was an auspicious one after he was propelled into the role when usual starter Alex Rump went out with a shoulder injury last week. . On HSU's first play from scrimmage, Mintz fumbled the ball, and APU linebacker Matthew Hackett picked it up and raced 19 yards into the endzone. The PAT kick failed, but only 2 minutes and 40 seconds after the opening kickoff the Cougars had already gained a 13-0 lead.

Humboldt State finally stopped the Cougars' momentum, and gained some of its own with a 9-play, 64-yard drive as the first quarter wound down. Ricciardulli accounted for the bulk of the march on the ground before Mintz drilled a pass between two defenders and into the hands of Marquise Deadwiler in the endzone.

Trailing 13-7, the Lumberjacks gained the ball again after forcing APU to punt. Ricciardulli broke free for a 30-yard pickup, and Daniel Wyatt gained 20 on a big run of his own that produced another HSU touchdown and gave the Jacks their first lead at 14-13.

Azusa Pacific's offense asserted itself on the ground in the second quarter, using two long runs by Terrell Watson to move the ball all the way to the HSU 3-yard line. Watson finished what he started with a plunge up the middle, and Jamie Cacciatore's kick made the score 20-14 with 8:08 remaining until halftime. Like Ricciardulli did for the Jacks, Watson accounted for the bulk of APU's offense on the night, rushing 21 times for a net of 117 yards.

Two HSU possessions after the Cougars's had reestablished their lead,  Mintz found Deadwiler and success again when the pair connected for a 36-yard touchdown connection. The half ran out with Humboldt State leading, 21-20.

"Casey (Mintz) was fifth on our depth chart this time last year as a walk-on freshman," Smith said. "He brings a spark to the field, and his teammates like him out there. It was great to see him get past the nerves and gain experience."

Mintz finished the game 8-18 for 127 yards and two touchdowns, with no interceptions. His APU counterpart, Owens, was 14-29 for 137 yards and one touchdown, and also wasn't interecpted.

Defense dominated the third quarter, with HSU putting up the only points on a 42-yard field goal by Matt Bruder. Linebacker Colton Russi, back in the lineup for the first time since suffering a leg injury three games ago, led the Lumberjack unit, finishing with a team-high nine tackles. Strong safety Jerry Maluia and linebacker Chris Petersen did some damage of their own, coming up with timely big hits and finishing with eight and six tackles, respectively.

The high-drama continued into the fourth quarter when the Cougars stopped the Jacks and got the ball back with just under three minutes remaining. After Azusa Pacific picked up one first down, HSU's Silas Sarvinski finally ended the high-tension affair when he tipped an Owens' fourth-down pass attempt  and watched the ball fall to the turf, giving the Jacks possession and the victory.
 
Humboldt State returns home for the next two weeks, starting with Saturday's homecoming game against Dixie State.