ARCATA, Calif. -- Fans were treated to one of the biggest blowouts in program history Saturday as the Humboldt State football team blanked visiting South Dakota School of Mines & Technology 53-0 at the Redwood Bowl.
 
The win marked the fifth straight for the Lumberjacks (5-0) and their first Great Northwest Athletic Conference win of the season. The Hardrockers sank to 1-4 overall and 0-1 in conference play.
 
"What you saw tonight is what makes Humboldt State so special," said Head Coach Rob Smith. "Our games have become an event and that is what you hope for. Our players feed on it (the atmosphere) and we had over 7,000 here tonight."
 
HSU opened a 22-0 advantage in the first quarter with three rushing touchdowns from senior Nick Ricciardulli and a two-point conversion. Ricciardulli put the Jacks on top with a 35-yard run 3:36 into the first quarter and followed it up with touchdown runs of 11 and three yards. The Poway, Calif., native and freshman Ja'Quan Gardner combined for 198 rushing yards in the first quarter.
 
Gardner's night wasn't over after carrying the ball seven times for 114 yards in the first 15 minutes. He caught the game's only receiving touchdown, a 59-yard screen pass from quarterback Robert Webber, with 8:06 left before halftime.
 
The touchdown reception not only gave the Jacks a 31-0 lead midway through the second quarter, but also gave senior kicker Matt Bruder a chance to etch his name in the record books. Bruder already connected on two extra points and a 36-yard field goal when he took the field for the point after attempt. The Jamul, Calif., native's extra point, which gave HSU a 32-0 lead, moved him into first place in points scored in a career. The record was previously held by HSU Athletics Hall of Famer Dustin Creager with 210 total points. 
 
"Anytime you set a school record it's a heck of an accomplishment," said Smith. "Matt has been a key player the past four years and has performed very well. His job is quite simple – to make the kick. He has made a lot of kicks and I was very happy for him to get the record today."
 
The Lumberjack offense was far from finished and continued to dominate the line of scrimmage and run the football with authority. Freshman running back Richard Doctor followed Ricciardulli and Gardner's lead with three rushing touchdowns to wrap the HSU scoring effort. Saturday's performance was the best of Doctor's collegiate career thus far. He rushed for two touchdowns in the second quarter and added the game's final score with a five-yard touchdown scamper, his longest touchdown run of the game, in the third quarter. Doctor finished the game with 79 rushing yards on 10 carries.
 
Not to be outdone, the HSU defense defused the explosive play-making ability of Mines' quarterback and reigning GNAC Offensive Player of the Week Trenton McKinney. McKinney was manhandled by the Jacks' defense that sacked him seven times and intercepted him twice. Even when HSU was unable to sack McKinney, the defensive front forced him into rushed passes and poor decisions. He finished the game 14-of-30 passing for 138 yards and two interceptions.
 
HSU's defense once again proved that it is one of the nation's toughest units Saturday. The Jacks' secondary defended seven passes, picked off two McKinney passes and surrendered only 154 total passing yards. Mines' offense was held to 219 yards of total offense and never was able to overcome the Jacks' pressure.
 
Khaalid Abdullah finished with a team-high 6.5 tackles for HSU and GNAC Defensive Player of the Week Alex Markarian tallied 2.5 sacks, 3.5 tackles for loss and three quarterback hurries. Jamal Jones and Gianni Olivas snatched the two Lumberjack interceptions and Olivas led the Green and Gold with two pass breakups.
 
The Lumberjacks have a quick turnaround as they visit conference rival Azusa Pacific for a Thursday evening meeting. The game kicks off at 6 p.m.

"This is a big game for both teams," said Smith. "It was our night when we played them earlier in the season, but as nice as that win was, this is an even bigger game because it's a conference game. They are the defending conference champions and they will remain that until someone takes it from them."