POCATELLO, IDAHO Ricks College quarterback Paul Putnam threw for three touchdowns and ran for another to lead the No. 10-ranked Vikings past No. 11 Garden City (Kan.) Community College, 42-39, in the Nov. 20 Idaho Real Dairy Bowl.

Putnam completed 21 of 31 passes for 333 yards. He finished the season with 2,047 yards passing and 16 touchdowns."I've told everybody from game one that he's a good quarterback," said Ricks coach Ron Haun. "He really showed what he can do tonight. He had a great game."

Haun said the win was an emotional one for the Vikings, a mature team which this year included 44 returned missionaries, 16 of whom were starters. Ricks was seeking to avenge two consecutive Dairy Bowl losses to these same Bronc Busters: 19-17 in 1989 and 29-17 last year.

But that emotion, after helping early in the game this year, nearly backfired.

Leading 42-17 early in the fourth quarter, a combination of Ricks penalties and turnovers set up three quick Garden City touchdowns.

"We lost our poise near the end of the game and gave them some big plays off of our penalties," Haun said. "Our players were just super-hyped for the game, and their emotions got away from them. We had all the momentum in the world, and then we just lost it."

After Garden City's last score, Ricks took possession with 2:36 left. The Vikings moved the ball 21 yards on six plays before time expired to hold on for the win.

"It was a big win. We needed it," said Haun. "It was our turn."

Early in the game, Putnam's "thrill-a-snap fireworks" started in the second quarter when he connected with running back David Morlan on a 60-yard touchdown bomb that tied the score, 7-7.

With less than a minute left in the half, Putnam audibled after reading a Garden City blitz and hit receiver Kevin Higley with a 35-yard toss to give the Vikes a 14-10 halftime lead.

Putnam completed 85 percent of his first-half passes for 185 yards.

After Garden City returned a punt for a touchdown in the third quarter, Putnam engineered a five-play, 91-yard touchdown drive with passes of 31, 25, 22 and 12 yards, to put the Vikings back in the lead, 21-17.

Putnam scored again in the third quarter on a 3-yard keeper.

Putnam credited the offensive line with great protection all night. "Our offensive line has done a great job all year long," he praised.

Two subsequent interceptions by Ricks' defenders set up two more touchdowns prior to Garden City's comeback, the last coming with 14:42 remaining.