Media contact: Mike Aldrich, aldrich@stolaf.edu, Voice telephone: (507) 646-3834; fax: (507) 646-3033
October 20, 1998
For Immediate Release
NORTHFIELD, Minn. Ñ The St. Olaf College football team (0-6 overall, 0-5 MIAC) lost to Hamline University (2-4, 2-2) on Saturday, 14-13 in overtime.
Hamline started the scoring in the game by recovering a fumble and returning it 30 yards for a touchdown midway through the first quarter. That proved to be all the scoring Hamline was able to put up on the board in regulation, as the St. Olaf defense held time, and time again. Ben Dietrich (Jr., St. Ansgar, IA.) and Shane Vatland (Fr., Mabel, Minn./Mabel-Canton) led the defense with 10 tackles a piece, and Dave Bergan (Sr., Edina, Minn.) added two quarterback sacks. Dietrich also recovered a fumble at the OlesÕ 10 yard line in the second quarter, to keep the Pipers off the scoreboard.
Offensively, St. Olaf had troubles and were not able to establish a decent running attack. Quarterback Pete Schultz (Sr., S. St. Paul, Minn.) however, was able to throw for 145 yards and one touchdown, with Ryan Hollom (Jr., LeSueur, Minn./LeSueur-Henderson) leading all receivers with four catches for 70 yards. Hollom finished with 172 total yards of offense, including his punt and kick returns.
St. Olaf looks to break itÕs 1998 six-game losing streak this Saturday as the Oles host cross-town rival Carleton College (1-5, 1-4) in the annual battle for the ÒGoatrophy.Ó Carleton and St. Olaf are struggling this year at the bottom of the conference, but both teams have been playing well and have been in all of their games this year. In the five conference games this year, St. Olaf has lost by an average of 6 points per game, while Carleton has lost three MIAC games by seven or fewer points.
Before last weekÕs game against St. Thomas, Carleton head coach Bob Sullivan said about the close losses, ÒThe Gods must be against us. WeÕre doing a lot of things right, and we deserve to win - eventually, something good is going to happen.Ó The OlesÕ head coach, Paul Miller, echoes coach SullivanÕs sentiments, ÒItÕs like hammering away at a rock. You keep hitting it and nothing happens, but as long as you keep hammering, the rock will eventually break.Ó
Game Time: Saturday, October 24, 1:00 p.m. at Manitou Field Last yearÕs score: St. Olaf 14, Hamline 12 Series Record: Carleton leads 35-39-1 Broadcast: KDHL, 920 AM (beginning with a pre-game show)