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Football Suffers First Loss of Season 20-0 to Augsburg

Matt Johnson
October 1, 2001

The St. Olaf football team endured its first loss of the season this weekend, falling to Augsburg College 20-0 in Minneapolis.

The game began as a defensive battle between two tenacious defenses as both offensive units struggled to acquire a rhythm. Augsburg finally lit up the scoreboard when running back Ben Paul (So., St. Paul, Minn.) scored from 12 yards out with just 14 seconds left in the first half. Kicker Tim Mauseth then converted on the extra-point play, giving Augsburg a 7-0 lead at halftime. The Oles managed just 35 yards of total offense in the half while Augsburg gained only 86 yards.

The teams exchanged "3 downs and out" possessions back and forth as the second half commenced. Then with 11:33 left in the 3 quarter, Augsburg?s Ben Paul broke free on a 47-yard touchdown run. The extra point attempt was foiled as Cory Dingels (Sr, Gibbon, Minn.) blew past several defenders before blocking the kick into the ground. After an Ole drive stalled with an interception, Augsburg scored again when T.J. Bramwell (Jr., Tomah, Wis.) ran for a touchdown from 5-yards out. Mauseth converted again as the Auggies took a 20-0 lead that would eventually be the final score. The Oles threatened several times following the score, putting together several drives into the red zone, but each threat was doused with a turnover.

The Oles finished the game with 193 total yards. Quarterback Brian Senske (So, Apple Valley, Minn.) led the Oles with 151 passing yards and connected with receiver Brian Sprout (Sr. Lake City, Minn.) seven times for 83 yards. Defensive back Dan Meyers (Jr, Cannon Falls, Minn.) paced the Ole defense with 10 tackles (six solo) and 2 tackles for a loss. Shane Vatland (Sr., Mabel, Minn.) also had 10 tackles (seven solo). Matt Lafferty (Jr., Apple Valley, Minn.) notched eight tackles (one solo). Defensive lineman James Struble (Sr, Sparta, Wis.) added 2 sacks and 2 tackles for a loss. Dingels also had an interception for the Ole defense.

The Oles now drops to 3-1, one game behind defending M.I.A.C. champion and current standings leader Bethel. However, the opportunity for retribution will come this weekend at 1:00 pm on Saturday, October 6, as the Oles will take on Bethel for their annual Homecoming football game.

Contact Judy Stromayer at 507-786-3315 or stromaye@stolaf.edu.