Game Leaders
Team Stats
Passing Yards
Rushing Yards
Turnovers
Time of Poss.
Hamline's football team had several big offensive plays but a blocked extra point proved critical in a 29-27 loss to Macalester at Klas Field Saturday night. The Pipers' bid to get their hands on The Paint Bucket came up just short in a lively game before an enthused crowd.
Triston Thomas brought the crowd to mts feet on the first offensive play of the third quarter when he broke free for a 93 yard rushing touchdown. It was just six yards short of the school (and MIAC) record of 99 yards set by Jed Knuttila against St. Thomas in 1968.
Justice Spriggs completed 24 passes for 325 yards and three touchdowns. Tanner Lunceford was the main beneficiary of Spriggs' sim, catching 10 balls for 115 yards and a score. Matt Miller snared a 57 yard scoring play and Thomas got in on the act, catching a 46 yarder for a score. Spriggs also showed his running skills by ambling for 68 yards. (Thomas was the game's top rusher with 103.)
On defense, Luke Trudell had a huge game, recording a dozen solo tackles and 15 in all, including three for loss. Jordan Deno snuffed out a Mac rally with a tumbling interception in the end zone.
The Pipers trailed, 21-7, at halftime. Thomas cut into that with his electrifying dash to start the third quarter. The Scots scored again but the extra point was missed. HU responded early in the fourth quarter when Spriggs found Thomas for his second TD of the night. But the extra point was blocked and returned by the Scots' Andrew Smith for a two-point score. That proved to be the difference when Spriggs and Lunceford teamed up a TD late in the fourth quarter.
The Pipers, 0-2 overall, now turn their attention to the MIAC wars. They open conference play at St. Thomas on Saturday, September 15. Game time at O'Shaughnessy Stadium is 1:10 p.m.