Last Saturday the Pipers defeated Minnesota-Morris, starting off their season with a strong 2–0 thanks to a comeback late in the fourth. This has been the fourth straight season Hamline has defeated Minnesota-Morris, the Piper’s have also had the same streak against Crown College which they faced in week one.
The contest was the first game of the season held at Klas Field, with a crowd of over 1,300 fans welcoming the Pipers to the gridiron. Hamline opened up the scoring with a seven-yard touchdown run from senior Alejandro Villanueva. After a failed two point conversion attempt the Cougars took the lead following a 41-yard rushing touchdown and a made point-after-try.
The Pipers were able to reclaim the lead before the end of the first quarter, with a 15-yard touchdown pass to junior Dawson Schaffer after a lengthy drive over six minutes. The second quarter was a defensive grudge match with each team turning the ball over on downs, along with an interception against Minnesota-Morris.
The Cougars started off the scoring in the second half with an opening drive touchdown to take the lead back 13–12. Another big run early in the fourth quarter extended the Cougars lead 20–12. A two-yard touchdown run by sophomore Nicholas Vasko with under five minutes tallied six more points for the Pipers. However, the two point conversion was unsuccessful, giving the ball back to the Cougars with time running out.
The defense came through when it mattered most, forcing a three and out to get the ball back to the offense in under two minutes. With 2:45 remaining, the Pipers had no room for mistakes. Vasko ran for 36 yards on the drive to get them within striking distance.
Following a spike to stop the clock, Villanueva tossed a four-yard pass to Schaffer for a touchdown with just 25 seconds remaining with a successful extra point attempt to make it 25-20. The Cougars were not able to come back with less than a half minute to give the Pipers their second victory of the season.
To kick off the season the Piper’s traveled to St. Bonifacius to face off against Crown College. Business was taken care of early on with Hamline amassing a 35–0 lead in the first half. Schaffer scored five of the touchdowns on the night to set the school single game record. The Polars were able to score in garbage time to make it 35–14 as the clock hit double zeroes.
The Piper’s will get an early bye week this upcoming Saturday, giving them some extra rest for their homecoming game where they will look to defeat Carleton College for the first time since 2017.