Box Score BURNABY, B.C. -- The Humboldt State football team snapped a three-game losing streak against Simon Fraser with Saturday's 33-17 win at Swanguard Stadium.
The Lumberjacks moved to 7-1 overall and 3-1 in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play with the win and The Clan fell to 2-7 overall and 2-3 in conference play.
"I am very pleased. This was not an easy trip," said Head Coach
Rob Smith. "We played our first game on grass and it was our first afternoon game. Our players responded once again in a hard-fought win. They (Simon Fraser) are a very tough football team."
HSU leaned on its defense and running game Saturday, and both units rose to the occasion. The Jacks' secured five takeaways in the win and came into the game +6 in turnover margin.
Nick Ricciardulli led the Green and Gold's ground and pound running game.
The Poway, Calif., native carried the ball 29 times for with 129 yards and two rushing scores."Nick is very sore right now, but he had a tremendously gutsy performance," said Smith. "He's our guy and it is his senior year. Our ability to run the football allowed us to be in control throughout (the game)."The defense went to work early and picked off Clan quarterback Ryan Stanford on its first drive. Defensive back
Jamal Jones returned the interception 14 yards and put the Green and Gold offense to work.
Ricciardulli rushed for his first touchdown of the afternoon on the ensuing drive, a drive kept alive by a peculiar play. On fourth and 10, senior
Chris Campbell passed 11 yards to
Travis Hansen for a first down after a bad snap broke up the punt attempt. HSU went for two after the touchdown and failed to convert.
The Jacks opened the second quarter with a 30-yard field goal from senior
Matt Bruder. The field goal tied him for the program career record with 32 total and he broke the mark with a 38-yard kick in the third quarter. The record was previously held by Kevin Jordan (1984-87). The Jamul, Calif., native now owns three program career records - points scored (235), made field goals (32) and made extra points (136).
Leading 9-0 with 5:25 left in the half, freshman
Robert Webber drilled a pass to tight end
Ryan Masters for 13 yards and a Jacks' touchdown. Webber finished the game 16-for-27 passing for 186 yards, a pair of passing touchdowns and an interception off a tipped pass.
Simon Fraser picked off the tipped pass from Webber late in the second quarter, which set up the Clan for a chip shot field goal before halftime. The Jacks led 16-3 at the break.
Stanford tried to lead a Simon Fraser rally late in the third quarter. He tossed a five-yard touchdown pass to receiver Justin Buren, a pass which was disputed by HSU defenders and upheld by officials. Stanford's only touchdown pass cut the Jacks' lead to nine, 19-10. Despite his early struggles and benching, Stanford passed for 229 yards and completed 20-of-42 attempts.
The Jacks answered The Clan's score on the following drive as Ricciardulli rushed for a 24-yard touchdown.
Webber connected on his second touchdown pass of the game, a 21-yard strike to receiver
Brandon Kakitsuka, midway through the fourth quarter to put the game away.
Senior
Nick Sharpe led HSU tacklers with seven, recovered a fumble and snagged an interception. The Jacks compiled five sacks and defensive lineman
Codey Heidebrecht led the unit with two. Senior captain
Jeremiah Maluia snatched two interceptions and recorded 6.5 tackles in the win.
"Our defense has a great confidence right now and an attack mentality," said Smith. "When the defense plays well, it's no surprise we (as a team) do well."
Sophomore wide receiver
Chase Krivashei proved to be Webber's most reliable target Saturday. Krivashei led all receivers with nine receptions for 111 receiving yards, both were season-high totals.
"He had a really solid performance and you can tell that he and Webber are so comfortable with one another," said Smith. "He is one of our playmakers and we need him to do exactly what he is doing."
HSU travels to face rival Western Oregon on Saturday, Nov. 8. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.
