MINNEAPOLIS, MN – The Hamline University Pipers rallied for 13 points in the final quarter, but it was not enough, as the team felt Augsburg on Saturday afternoon, 37-27. It was 30 straight points scored by the Auggies that doomed Hamline, who dropped their third straight game. The Pipers offense did produce 392 total yards, including 293 through the air for Alejandro Villanueva.

Hamline got off to a great start, taking the opening kickoff and going 75 yards in 13 plays to take a 7-0 lead. Villanueva was taking what Augsburg defense would allow, completing his first four passes in five of his first six for just 30 yards, but the quarterback continuously moved the chains. With the ball at the Auggies 15, the team turned to the ground game, carrying the ball over each of the next four plays and tell Nicholas Vasko scored from 2 yards out.

The Auggies responded right away, moving 62 yards in seven plays to tie the score. Will Smith carried the ball on each of the first three plays, gaining 22 yards, then quarterback Ryan Harvey found Devon Schelske for 24 yards. Three plays later, Smith took the ball and burst up the middle for a 1-yard score.

The Pipers responded right away, retaking the lead following a five play, 83-yard drive. A 9-yard run by Villanueva on third and fur gave the team a fresh set of downs. Two plays later, Villanueva connected with receiver D’Nari Adams down the middle for a 65-yard touchdown to make it 14-7.

Hamline was rolling, but Augsburg took command of this game over the next two quarters. That began when the Auggies got a 30-yard kick return from CJ Ritchie to put the ball at the Pipers 46. Six plays later, Smith scored from 2 yards out to make it 14-13

The Pipers were forced to punt on their next drive, and Augsburg took the lead, going 55 yards in eight plays. It looked like the Pipers would force a turnover on downs when Augsburg was faced with a fourth and six at the Hamline 26, but Harvey found Tyrone Wilson for 26 yards and the score to make it 20-14. Augsburg added a late field-goal to make it 23-14 heading to the half.

The Auggies took command of this game in the third quarter, scoring 14 points. Augsburg took the opening kick of the half and moved 52 yards and four plays to make it 30-14. Harvey completed the drive with a 6-yard touchdown pass to Wilson.

On their next possession, Augsburg found the end zone once again. This time it was Harvey connecting with Ritchie for a 12-yard touchdown, the third touchdown pass of the day for the Augsburg quarterback.

The Pipers were down, but began to rally late in the third quarter. That is when the team began a six play, 71-yard drive that began when Caleb Lueders intercepted a Wilson pass at his own 29. Hamline moved to the Augsburg three, where they used a little trickery as wide receiver Dawson Schaffer took the handoff, then found Villanueva for a 3-yard touchdown reception to make it 37-20.

With a little under a minute left in the game, the Pipers were able to cut the deficit to 10. Vasko completed a six play, 68-yard drive when he scored from 1 yard out. However, the Pipers could not get the onside kick, and Augsburg was able to run out the clock.

Villanueva finished 16-24 for 293 yards and a score. He also had eight rushes for 20 yards. Adams had a big day, making six receptions for 131 yards and a score and Schaffer had four catches for 131 yards. Croix Zacharias and Elijah Gingras led the team with nine tackles each. Dominic Sandoval had 1.5 sacks and six tackles.

Hamline University (2-3) will look to snap their three-game losing streak when they welcome the Concordia College (3-2) on Saturday. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.

Boxscore

by Robert Pannier