Homecoming this year is the week before bye week, the perfect time to call everyone together to celebrate on Klas Field before a well deserved break for the football team. On Saturday Oct. 13, the Pipers ended up trailing the Gustavus Adolphus Gusties 14-42. With over 1,600 people in attendance the Pipers managed to keep their spirits up and made some big plays that afternoon.

Much of Saturday’s success came via Senior Defensive-Back Jordon Deno when he made two interceptions, one even resulting in a touchdown. Deno says “Our defensive coordinator and safeties coach made a bet with the players that if we score on an interception we can pick any article of Hamline gear from his closet. Once that ball was in my hands, the only thing on my mind was scoring.”

It was the second HU defensive touchdown of the season, and the first time the Pipers had recorded a pick six in a decade. The senior Deno also had nine tackles, a sack and two tackles for loss. Deno punts for the team, with an average of 35.8 for the game with a total of 179 yards from five punts.

In addition, Senior Quarterback Justice Spriggs had a total of 98 yards, passing the 7,000 yard mark for his career. First year Zander Payne the leading Piper rusher with 59 yards on 13 carries. First Year Triston Thomas was the leading pass catcher with four grabs. and Senior Linebacker Luke Trudell with 5 solo tackles, 12 total.

Trudell is extremely vocal on the field, constantly jumping up and down and getting guys amped for the next play. Keeping his MIAC lead in three defensive categories with a dozen tackles, five of which were solos. The senior is on pace for 120 tackles, which would be the most by any Hamline player since Pat Page has 127 in 2012.

Trudell acknowledges all the hard work his teammates put in for homecoming “It was a hard fought game and I’m proud of our guys for never giving up. ”Personal accomplishments aside, Trudell always works hard on the field and puts in extra time off the field by watching extensive amounts of film in his free time.

In his second season at the lead, Coach Chip Taylor previously mentioned the key factors of keeping his team focused during homecoming week and the players were focused indeed. “Having homecoming the week before bye-week is an interesting scheduling choice, but one we can work with. It will give the men more time to reflect and identify the things they need to be working on for the rest of the season.”

In addition to staying focused, Coach Taylor says his players are working to keep competitive in games against difficult opponents, despite the score or mistakes made.

The Pipers continue to make tweaks and changes as they try to improve and get that first conference victory on the season.

The next game for the Pipers is Saturday, Oct. 27, back at Klas Field againstBethel at 1 p.m.