D.J. Monroe ran for 176 yards and a score and Cade Sheehan threw for three touchdowns and 256 yards as Augsburg University defeated Hamline University on Saturday, 42-21. The loss was the fifth straight for the Pipers, who dropped to 0-5 in the MIAC. Quarterback Alejandra Villanueva threw for 199 yards and ran for 98 more, producing three total touchdowns.

Each team came away with a score in the first quarter. Hamline scored on their first possession. After a failed onside kick gave the Pipers the ball at their own 45, the team needed eight plays before finding the end zone. Villanueva had a big 17-yard completion to Eli Danielson that put the ball at the 28. Five plays later, Villanueva found Charlie Wilson for a 6-yard touchdown, the 11th touchdown toss of the season for the sophomore quarterback.

It looked like Hamline was going to extend their lead when Mike Evans intercepted a Sheehan pass, giving his team the ball at the 33. However, on the seventh play of the drive, Nikolas Rokafort fumbled. Jax Bokman jumped on the ball. The Auggies took advantage of the opportunity, moving 86 yards in 10 plays before Monroe scored from 2 yards out to tie the score at seven.

That started a run of 28 unanswered points by Augsburg. The Auggies took the lead, scoring on their first possession of the second quarter. Monroe delivered the big blow, carrying the ball 52 yards on the third play of the drive down to the Hamline eight. Two plays later, Tre Lee scored from 2 yards out to make it 14-7.

Just before the end of the half, the Auggies extended their lead to 14. Starting from their own 24 with 6:46 left in the half, the team ran a methodical 13 play, 76-yard drive before making it 21-7. Monroe got the drive started, carrying the ball on three of the first four plays. Shehan completed three of four pass attempts on the drive and completed the drive when he scored from 9 yards out.

The Pipers looked to get back on the scoreboard before the half came to an end. Despite only having 34 seconds left, Villanueva made three huge plays, including a 20-yard run and a 21-yard completion to Andrew Thompson. That put the ball at the Augsburg 26 was seconds left in the half. Thompson attempted a 47-yard field goal, but it was blocked by Justin Tverberg.

Augsburg produced the only touchdown of the third quarter, scoring on their first possession of the second half. The drive began with five straight runs, three by Lee and two by Monroe that produced 29 total yards. After an 18-yard completion from Shehan to Dominic Smith, Shehan found Braden Tretter for 17 yards. Two plays later, the Augsburg quarterback made a 7-yard completion to Devin Schelske to make it 28-7.

Hamline finally broke the run, scoring a little over a minute into the fourth quarter. The touchdown completed a seven play, 60-yard drive that saw Malik Wynn begin they possession with two straight runs for 11 yards. Villanueva had three big pass completions on the drive, including a 13-yard touchdown toss to Ryder Hutton.

The Auggies responded with a 12-play, 75-yard drive to restore their 21 point advantage. Augsburg split the drive evenly with six pass plays and six runs, with Shehan finding Tretter for 4 yards and a touchdown.

The Pipers turned the ball over on their next possession. On the second play, Camdin Carlson-Mathies intercepted a Villanueva pass, returning it 23 yards to the Hamline 30. Three plays later, Shehan went up top to Smith for 29 yards and the score.

The Pipers showed no quit, scoring on their next possession. Starting from their own 30-yard line, it took just three plays before Hamline reached the end zone. On the third play of the drive, Villanueva found an opening, racing 50 yards for the touchdown, his third total touchdown of the day. That made it 42-21, which would be the final.

Villanueva finished 19-34 199 yards, two TDs, and two interceptions. He also carried the ball eight times for 98 yards and a score. Hutton had five catches for 57 yards and Wilson had six catches for 55 yards. Both receivers had a touchdown. The Hamline defense was led by Ryan Kouri and Jevon Jones, who each had eight tackles.

The Hamline University Pipers (2-5) battle archrival Macalester College (2-5) next Saturday at home. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00.

Boxscore

by Robert Pannier