St. Bonifacius, MN – Alejandro Villanueva got his senior season off on the right foot, throwing for 353 yards and five touchdowns, as the Hamline University Pipers defeated the Crown College Polars, 35-14. The victory answered the big question as to who would replace all-conference receiver Charlie Wilson, as Dawson Schaffer made nine catches for 272 yards and five scores. Croix Zacharias had 10 tackles, an interception, and a forced fumble for the Pipers defense, as Hamline took a 35-0 lead into the fourth before Crown finally got on the board.

The Pipers served notice that they would be the better team this day, taking a 7-0 lead just 65 seconds into the contest. Isaiah Watson took the opening kickoff and returned in 17 yards to the 35. Two plays later, Villanueva found Schaffer for a 66-yard catch and run for a score and the Pipers were rolling.

The Hamline defense forced Crown to punt on their opening drive, setting up the Pipers at midfield. As he had on their first possession, Villanueva made short work of the possession, needing just three plays. After completing consecutive passes for five- and 12-yards, the Hamline QB found Schaffer for a 33-yard strike to make it 14-0.

The Polars were forced to punt on their next possession as well and it looked like Hamline was going to extend their lead to 21, moving 77-yards in 11-plays to the Polars two-yard line. The Pipers faced a fourth and goal, and the coaching staff opted to go for it, however, Villanueva was stopped a yard short on a quarterback keeper, giving Crown the ball at their own one.

The Pipers defense came up big again, forcing a fumble on the third play of the drive. Zacharias recovered at the eight-yard line, giving his offense great field position. This time the Hamline offense would not be denied, as Villanueva found Schaffer for an eight-yard touchdown on the first play of the drive to make it 21-0. That would be the score at the end of the first quarter.

With 9:48 left in the first half, Hamline got the ball at the Crown 37-yard line. The team carried the ball on the first three plays of the drive, then Villanueva found Watson for a 16-yard completion down to the Polars 9-yard line. Two plays later, the Hamline QB found Schaffer for an 8-yard score to extend the lead to 28.

On their next possession, the Beavers were back on the scoreboard. It looked like Crown had Hamline on the ropes for the first time in the contest as they put the Pipers at their own 6-yard line. However, Villanueva found Schaffer down the middle for a 94-yard touchdown to make it a 35-0 game. That would be the game at the half.

Villanueva had five touchdowns through the first 30 minutes of the contest, and the defense was equally impressive. Crown had the ball for 26 plays in the first half, producing 80 total yards.

Neither team scored in the third quarter. In the fourth, the Polars finally got on the scoreboard. The first came a little less than a minute into the frame when Zach Brown connected with Jakari Hunnecook for 8 yards. On their next possession, Crown was back on the board thanks to an 18 yard touchdown from Brown to Michael Downs. That made it 35-14, which would be the final.

The Hamline defense held the Polars to 236 total yards of offense. Zacharias led the team in tackles and had one of the teams two interceptions. Charlie Vanguilder had the other. Ethan Mills had the loan sack of the day for Hamline.

Villanueva was quite impressive, going 17-28 for 353 yards and five touchdowns. Schaffer made nine catches for 272 yards and five scores. Durham Welch made all five extra point attempts.

Hamline University (1-0) will take on Minnesota-Morris (1-0) next Saturday at home. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:00.

Boxscore

by Robert Pannier