At last, Bubba Wills has scored a touchdown.

And, for good measure, Wills scored another as Haskell Indian Nations University trimmed Southwestern College, 28-24, in non-conference football Saturday night at Haskell Stadium.

Wills had rushed for over 500 yards in the Fightin’ Indians’ first four games, yet he had never crossed the goal line.

“It was on everyone’s mind tonight,” said Wills, a red-shirt freshman tailback from Skiatook, Okla. “The guys were saying, ‘Tonight’s the night.’ Man, the O-line played a great game.”

Wills, ranked No. 5 on the NAIA rushing chart this week, scored on runs of 5 and 2 yards as the Indians won for the first time this season, and he certainly enhanced his national standing by finishing with 154 yards on 28 carries.

The 6-foot, 200-pounder might have gained even more yards if he hadn’t watched most of the third quarter from the sideline while recovering from a blow he had taken just before halftime.

“I was a little dizzy,” Wills admitted, “and they wanted to make sure I didn’t have a concussion.”

HASKELL INDIAN NATIONS UNIVERSITY'S HUNTER SMITH returns a punt while a pair of Southwestern College defenders give pursuit. The Fightin' Indians pulled out a 28-24 victory Saturday night at Haskell Stadium.

While Wills watched, caddy Roland Cheresposy, a 5-9, 170-pound sophomore, gained 81 yards on 14 carries against the winless Moundbuilders. It was Cheresposy’s best game as a collegian.

“It was my birthday yesterday,” said Cheresposy, “and this was a great present.”

While Haskell was rolling up a season-high 259 yards on the ground, quarterback Marlon Dick and favorite receiver Hunter Smith kept the Moundbuilders off balance with an effective passing game.

Dick’s 41-yard touchdown pass to Smith on the first play of the fourth quarter proved decisive. Dick threw for 134 yards while Smith had six catches for 77 yards.

Meanwhile, the Indians survived an aerial onslaught by Southwestern quarterback Braden Smith, a 6-7 junior who completed 20 of 38 passes for 229 yards and a touchdown.

“It was tough to get to him,” HINU linebacker Evan Baker said.

Haskell never did sack Smith and the Indians didn’t manage an interception until safety Terrill Denny filched a tipped pass with less than a minute remaining.

“We knew we hadn’t been tested in the secondary this season,” said Denny, one of the handful of seniors on the Tribe’s roster. “Admittedly, we struggled a little bit, but the good Lord put me in the right spot.”

Haskell (1-4) was able to win despite absorbing a whopping 125 yards in penalties. Half of the Tribes’ dozen flags were for holding or for illegal use of the hands.

“I’m not sure,” HINU coach Eric Brock said when asked why so many holding calls. “It was one particular guy. We’ve addressed holding in many ways. We’ve had officials come in and explain to us about holding.”

Saturday night’s officials were hastily secured from the Kansas City area after the scheduled crew – all from Columbia, Mo. – failed to show up. The game started 50 minutes late because of that glitch.

The delay certainly didn’t affect the Indians’ performance.

“Our attitude was whenever the refs get here,” Brock said, “let’s go and get it done.”

Southwestern (0-4) was the third straight KCAC school on Haskell’s schedule. The Indians will play host to Briar Cliff, an Iowa school, next Saturday.

Haskell 28, Southwestern 24

Southwestern 0 10 7 7 – 24

Haskell 7 7 7 7 – 28

HINU – Bubba Wills 5 run (Matt Martens kick)

SWC – Ryan Molz 11 pass from Braden Smith (Eloy Mendoza kick)

HINU – Wills 2 run (Martens kick)

SWC – FG Mendoza 26

SWC – Nick Mondero 16 run (Mendoza kick)

HINU – Jacob McCleod 7 run (Martens kick)

HINU – Hunter Smith 41 pass from Marlon Dick (Martens kick)

SWC – Smith 1 run (Mendoza kick)

Haskell Individual Leaders

Rushing: Bubba Wills 28-154, Roland Cheresposy 14-81.

Passing: Marlon Dick 13-20-134 (one intercepted).

Receiving: Hunter Smith 6-77, Brigham Bert 4-33.