Under the lights and in front of a record setting crowd of 2,405 fans, the Pipers defeated the Macalester Scots by a score of 23-13 while recapturing the elusive Old Paint Bucket at Klas Field last Saturday night.

Piper quarterback Tim Bona (’16) spread the ball around by completing at least one pass to seven different receivers and completed 15 of 27 passes for 125 yards total. However, it was running back Austin Duncan (’16) and center and team captain Alec Grimm (’15) who stole the show with a ground-and-pound running game. Duncan recorded 32 carries for 240 yards and a touchdown.

In addition to a solid offensive showing, the Piper defense, led by safety Anthony Hill (‘17) and linebacker Corey Touchette (‘15), came up big as the unit forced two interceptions and a fumble.

The defense played their best in the third quarter as they held the Scots to punt four times on four consecutive drives. Late in the fourth quarter with the Scots threatening in Piper territory, the Pipers came up with a big play when defensive back Jack Swanberg (‘16) stepped up with an interception that essentially put the game away with less than three minutes remaining on the clock.

Before the game, the SAAC (Student-Athlete Advisory Committee) made it a point of emphasis to generate student interest around campus and reach out to non-athlete students. At this season’s Code Red contest for the football team, students were treated to live music, lawn games, free pizza and the opportunity to purchase five dollar “Piper Pit” T-shirts.

“Everybody seems excited. Free pizza helps and night games are exciting,” spectator Samuel Peterson (’16) said.

The efforts of the SAAC and the football program, led to a packed stadium, so packed it created a standing room only section.

The win-loss column for Hamline football hasn’t been kind the last few years, but after a victory at UM-Morris on Sept. 6, the spirit on campus and expectations for the football team were high.

After a second win and the Pipers first 2-0 start since 2005, the guys in the locker room led by Piper head coach and alum Chad Rogosheske may be getting a little more confident.

Bona said the team is in a favorable position, before the start of their game against Macalester.

“We’re where we want to be,” Bona said. “[We need to] maintain composure and not get caught up in the emotional ups and downs. For a group that’s not used to having success of any kind, I’d say it’s really important for us.”

Touchette came into the season with high hopes as well.

“We expected to win big [against] UM-Morris,” Touchette said.

Both Bona and Derick Fleming (’16) highlighted the progression of the offensive line this season.

“The offensive line has been phenomenal,” Bona said.

Fleming came into the game against Macalester trusting the offensive line would do fine.

“The offensive line is coming along. I’ve got confidence in my offensive line to get the job done,” Fleming said.

The line opened holes for Duncan to work his way through Macalester’s defense. The pass blocking was sufficient as well. The unit surrendered only two sacks.

One concern during the game seemed to be kicker Forrest Coughlin’s inconsistent night as he connected for two field goals on four attempts. He converted field goals of 25 and 30 yards, but missed two attempts from 20 yards out. It was a rough evening for Coughlin, as he was named the MIAC Special Teams Player of the Week after his solid game against UM-Morris.

“We had the Paint Bucket when I came in as a freshman and we lost it,” Touchette said. “It would mean a lot to me, to the seniors, to get it back.”

At the end of the game, the players met for a photo op on their sideline facing the bleachers at the end of the game chanting, “BUCKET! BUCKET! BUCKET,” to rally the fans.

Grimm spoke after the game:

“If I was going to say one thing about this game [it’s that] I knew we were going to win,” he said. “We had full trust in each other the whole time. We knew our defense was going to get takeaways; we knew we were going to put it in the end zone. We just knew what was going to happen, we just had to believe the whole time. We’re pumped, it’s great, it’s great, it’s awesome. I can’t believe we got the bucket back to Hamline.”

The undefeated Pipers play their next game on Saturday, Sept. 20 when they travel to St. Peter, Minn. to take on the 2-0 Gustavus Adolphus Golden Gusties for a 1 p.m. conference showdown.