The Pipers football team is undefeated, 1-0, after winning their season opener at Klas Field 41-33 over UM-Morris. The Pipers will look to build on that momentum heading into their next game Saturday night, Sept. 21, at home against Carleton.

Rookie head coach Chad Rogosheske picked up a win in his debut, and was featured last Thursday in the MIAC Media Weekly Podcast. Rogosheske discussed the season opener and his thoughts on his team.

“It was good to get the first one out the way. It got a little testy at the end for us,” Rogosheske said. “Morris scored touchdowns on their last four possessions so it did get a little tight at the end, but we were able to hold on and get the first victory.”

The Pipers were leading 41-13 with under 13:00 remaining in the final quarter. Morris managed to catch up, but the Pipers held them off to close the game out at 41-33. Rogosheske said Morris created physical mismatches with his secondary. Fortunately for the Pipers, the offense executed and capitalized on scoring opportunities early in the game.

Sophomore quarterback Zach Brautigam capitalized in the red zone with two touchdown passes to start the game; one to junior tight end Philip Sherman and the second to sophomore halfback Austin Duncan, who also ran for two touchdowns and recorded 173 yards rushing.

“[Duncan] did a great job overall and I’m impressed with him and I think we have some other guys who can help out as well. We just got to find creative ways to get them the ball,” Rogosheske said. “There is some good talent that we do want to go through the game planning and scheming to try to get them [more] touches with the football.”

Sophomore quarterback Tim Bona also played. Rogosheske said the competition between him and Brautigam started in the preseason.

“We felt like they both bring some things to the table from the quarterback position,” he said. “We are just going to let them continue to play and work to see if one separates themselves and if they don’t we are comfortable playing both of them.”

Last week was the Pipers “bye week.” Rather than look ahead and game plan against Carleton, they focused on self-improvement. Rogosheske and his assistant coaches made a few tweaks to their game plan. He said the defensive staff have worked on things to help their secondary avoid facing one on one isolation, a situation that was exploited in week one against Morris.

This week the team will have three practices to prepare for their first conference game of the season at Klas Field Saturday night. They will look to improve and build on the momentum from the opening game’s victory.

“There’s a lot of teaching that can occur, but we [were] fortunate to be able to have that teaching after a victory than a loss,” Rogosheske said.