MARYVILLE, Mo. - The Humboldt State football team's historic season came to an end Saturday as it fell to No. 1 seed Northwest Missouri State, 54-7, in Bearcat Stadium.
"Northwest Missouri State is an outstanding football team," said Head Coach
Rob Smith. "We talked about weathering the storm, but they were able to come out quick. I am disappointed that we didn't give Northwest a better game, but proud of our football team."
The Bearcats opened the game with touchdowns on three consecutive drives and dominated the Green and Gold offense in the first half. Defensive tackle Caleb Mather compiled two of Northwest Missouri State's five first-half sacks.
Quarterback
Robert Webber and the HSU offense were unable to find its rhythm in the first 30 minutes of action. The Jacks accumulated just 25 yards of total offense in the first half to go with only four first downs.
Northwest Missouri State scored three first-quarter touchdowns, including a rushing and passing score by Bearcats quarterback Brady Bolles. He added a 75-yard touchdown pass to receiver Shawn Bane Jr. before halftime.
The Green and Gold trailed 34-0 at the half, its largest deficit of the season.
A lopsided third quarter put the Jacks down 47-0, but the team continued to show heart and determination. Midway through the fourth quarter
Daniel Castro blocked a Bearcats punt in front of their own end zone, senior
Nick Sharpe scooped up the ball and carried it across the goal line.
Junior
Cameron Buell led HSU tacklers with a season-best 16 stops and had a sack.
The Jacks finished the game with 48 yards of total offense against the nation's No. 1 defense. Running back
Ja'Quan Gardner was limited to a season-low 24 rushing yards.
Bolles completed 26-of-33 passes for 276 yards and two touchdowns in the Bearcats win.
Despite Saturday's loss, the Jacks are optimistic that this season's success will start a trend that will continue for years to come.
"We made the postseason for the first time in more than 45 years and we hosted a playoff game last week," said senior linebacker
Taylor Mitchell. "I still don't think it has hit me yet. We are returning a bunch of guys, and that will set us up well for the future."
"This season has been really rewarding," said senior defensive back
Nick Sharpe. "We have set the bar high for future teams."
HSU made history in the 2015 season and clinched a spot in the postseason for the first time since the 1968 campaign. The Jacks defeated Augustana, 45-31, in the NCAA Division II playoffs first round to advance to Saturday's meeting with Northwest Missouri State.
