Football 10/16/04 -- Augsburg 40, Hamline 6

BOXSCORE

ST. PAUL, Minn. (10/16/04) -- Ben Bothun (Sr., Dawson, Minn./Dawson-Boyd HS) caught nine passes for 157 yards and a school-record-tying four touchdowns, leading Augsburg College to a 40-6 victory over Hamline University in a Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference football game on Saturday afternoon at the Klas Center.

Bothun's four touchdown catches, on passes of 51, 30, three and six yards from quarterback Marcus LeVesseur (Jr., Minneapolis, Minn./Bloomington Kennedy HS), tied a single-game school record for touchdowns in a game, set four times earlier -- by LeVessseur (rushing) in Augsburg's 42-10 win over Carleton on Oct. 2, by Karl Sneider (receiving) in a 1966 game against Macalester, by Scott Hvistendahl (receiving) in a 1998 game against Mayville State and by Mark Johnson (receiving) in a 2001 game against Carleton.

Augsburg put together a season-high 492 yards of total offense on 92 plays to improve to 2-4 overall, 2-2 in MIAC play. Hamline, limited to 222 yards of total offense and just 93 rushing yards, drops to 2-4 overall, 1-4 in MIAC play.

After allowing Hamline to score the first touchdown of the game, Augsburg quickly took control and scored the remaining points, claiming its second 40-point-plus effort of the season.

LeVesseur accounted for 321 of Augsburg's 492 yards in the game, rushing for a game-high 116 yards on 31 carries with a touchdown, while also accumulating 205 yards on 13-of-26 passing with four touchdowns and just one interception. In addition, he returned two kickoffs for 54 yards.

Hamline scored first, driving 90 yards in 10 plays -- accounting for 41 percent of its total offensive yards in the game. Piper quarterback Andy Gagnon (Sr., Waverly, Minn.) completed passes of 11, 32 and 23 yards in the drive, and also scrambled for a 17-yard carry to the Augsburg 6-yard line. On the next play, Ryan Rasmussen (Fr., Lakeville, Minn.) rushed six yards for the opening score, but the extra point was blocked by Augsburg's Chris Abbott (Sr., Inver Grove Heights, Minn./St. Thomas Academy HS).

Gagnon threw for 108 yards on 7-of-16 passing, while also rushing for 33 yards on nine carries. Ben Dahmes (So., Redwood Falls, Minn.) led the Pipers with 44 rushing yards on 16 carries, while Jeff Hanger (So., Roseville, Minn.) caught five passes for 56 yards. Dan Ryks (Sr., Renville, Minn.) caught two passes for 39 yards.

After the Piper score, Augsburg drove to the Hamline 18-yard line, but a LeVesseur pass was intercepted by Hamline's Mike Van Loh (Sr., Oakdale, Minn.) at the Piper 7-yard line. Augsburg's defense forced Hamline to punt, and after a sack put Augsburg back nine yards to the Augsburg 49, LeVesseur completed his first touchdown pass to Bothun, a 51-yarder.

Augsburg extended the lead on its last drive of the half, a drive aided by a key Piper penalty. Starting at the Augsburg 23-yard line with 3:52 left in the second quarter, Augsburg was stalled on a holding penalty and three incomplete passes. But on the punt attempt, Hamline was flagged for a personal-foul, roughing-the-kicker penalty, giving the Auggies an automatic first down at the Auggie 29. Ten plays later, LeVesseur scored on a one-yard rush to put the Auggies ahead 13-6 at halftime.

Augsburg used special teams again to set up another touchdown early in the third quarter. Bothun blocked a punt by Hamline's Ryan Laube (Jr., Owen, Wis.), which Ty Closson (Sr., Northfield, Minn.) returned 13 yards to the Hamline 12-yard line. On the next play, Jason Potts (Fr., Plymouth, Minn./Robbinsdale Armstrong HS) scored his second touchdown of the season on a 12-yard rush.

Potts rushed for 78 yards on 13 carries for the Auggies, while Steve Houser (Jr., Zimmerman, Minn./Elk River HS) had 55 yards on 13 carries, eclipsing the 900-yard rushing mark for his career. He now has 932 career rushing yards on 238 carries (3.9 yards per carry).

Augsburg scored on three straight possessions in the fourth quarter to clinch the victory. LeVesseur found Bothun for a 30-yard scoring pass to complete a seven-play, 43-yard drive with 13:26 left.

After a Hamline three-and-out, the Pipers punted to give the Auggies the ball at the Hamline 46. A 14-yard end-around by Ricky Schreier (So., Maplewood, Minn./Cretin-Derham Hall HS) and a 20-yard reception by Schreier set up a three-yard touchdown pass from LeVesseur to Bothun with 10:07 left.

Schreier, who has played as both a defensive back and wide receiver for the Auggies this season, caught four passes for 48 yards in the game.

Augsburg's Taylor Kroger (Jr., Cottonwood, Minn./Lakeview HS) intercepted a Gagnon pass at the Hamline 41-yard line -- Augsburg's eighth interception of the season and its first since the second week of the season. Six plays later, including three rushes for 24 yards by Houser, LeVesseur found Bothun again for a six-yard scoring pass.

Augsburg had a balanced defensive attack, with 11 players with three or more tackles on the day. Jim Gunderson (Jr., Hastings, Minn.) led the Auggies with eight tackles (three solo), while Ross Peroutka (Jr., Faribault, Minn.) had seven tackles (four solo) and two pass breakups. Joe Cullen (Sr., Coon Rapids, Minn.) and Jake Koelln (Jr., Rochester, Minn./John Marshall HS) each had a sack for the Auggies.

Joey Miller (So., Lake Tomahawk, Wis.) led the Pipers with 14 tackles (seven solo), while Russ Flaten (So., Minneapolis, Minn.) had 12 tackles (four solo) and Brody Anderson (So., Floodwood, Minn.) had 11 tackles (four solo) and a fumble recovery. Tyler Schultz (Jr., Rollingstone, Minn.) had 11 tackles (four solo), and Aaron Seliga (Jr., Inver Grove Heights, Minn.) had a sack.

Both teams return to MIAC action next Saturday (10/23) at 1 p.m. Augsburg hosts defending NCAA Division III national champion St. John's at Edor Nelson Field, while Hamline travels to Northfield, Minn., to take on St. Olaf.

Augsburg at Hamline Game Notes

iversity Pipers (2-3 overall, 1-3 MIAC) in a Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference football game on Saturday, Oct. 16 at 1 p.m., at the Robert and Alexandra Klas Center (capacity 2,000) in St. Paul, Minn.

COACHES: Augsburg head coach Jack Osberg (Augsburg '62) is in his 14th season and has a 61-75 career mark. Hamline head coach Donovan Larson (Hamline '69) is in his fourth season and has a 9-26 career record.

RADIO: This week's Augsburg football game will be broadcast on WMIN-AM 740. The game will also be cybercast online on Augsburg's website, through an arrangement with the campus online radio station, KAUG. Tom Witschen will handle play-by-play with Russ Bohaty on analysis. To listen online, go to http://www.augsburg.edu/athletics/ and click on the "Live Audio" link on Saturday.

SERIES: This is the 65th game in the all-time series between Augsburg and Hamline, a series the Pipers lead 40-22-2. Augsburg has won seven of the last eight games in the series, with Hamline's lone victory in the stretch coming in 2002 (21-13 at the Metrodome). Augsburg head coach Jack Osberg is 8-5 in his career against Hamline. The teams began the series in 1926 (Augsburg's first year of football), and have played every year since 1954. This will be the first Augsburg game at Hamline since the 2000 season, a game the Auggies won 12-7. The teams tangled at Augsburg in 2001 and have played the last two games in the series at the Metrodome.

LAST WEEK: Augsburg dropped to 1-4 overall with a 34-21 loss to Gustavus Adolphus last Saturday at Augsburg, while Hamline lost its third game in a row with a 42-0 loss to Concordia-Moorhead last Saturday at Moorhead, Minn.

MIAC OVERALL PER-GAME RANKINGS (5 GAMES): Total offense -- Augsburg 5th (341.6), Hamline 8th (238.2); Passing offense -- Augsburg 6th (167.8); Hamline 9th (113.4); Rushing offense -- Augsburg 5th (173.8), Hamline 6th (124.8); Scoring offense -- Augsburg 4th (26.4), Hamline 9th (12.2); Total defense -- Augsburg 8th (411.2), Hamline 6th (392.6); Passing defense -- Augsburg 8th (220.8), Hamline 5th (193.0); Rushing defense -- Augsburg 7th (190.4), Hamline 8th (199.6); Scoring defense -- Augsburg 7th (26.0), Hamline 6th (25.8); Turnover margin -- Augsburg 9th (minus-6), Hamline 2nd (plus-4).

MIAC CONFERENCE-ONLY PER-GAME RANKINGS (3/4 GAMES): Total offense -- Augsburg 3rd (391.0), Hamline 9th (215.5); Passing offense -- Augsburg 6th (146.3); Hamline 9th (110.2); Rushing offense -- Augsburg 2nd (244.7), Hamline 6th (105.2); Scoring offense -- Augsburg 3rd (28.0), Hamline 9th (8.0); Total defense -- Augsburg 5th (349.3), Hamline 8th (433.8); Passing defense -- Augsburg 9th (241.0), Hamline 8th (209.0); Rushing defense -- Augsburg 3rd (108.3), Hamline 8th (224.8); Scoring defense -- Augsburg 5th (24.0), Hamline 7th (30.5); Turnover margin -- Augsburg 9th (minus-9), Hamline 4th (plus-2).

NATIONAL STATISTICS: Among NCAA Division III players, Augsburg's Yarzue Slowon (Sr., Crystal, Minn./Robbinsdale Armstrong HS) ranks 29th-best nationally in kickoff returns (25.9 yards per return). Hamline's Jordan Below and Darryl Sledge each rank 31st nationally in forced fumbles (0.40 per game).

LAST YEAR: Putting together 497 yards of total offense, Augsburg ended its 2003 season with a 23-6 triumph over Hamline on Nov. 6, 2003 at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome. Tony George threw for 290 yards and Jamie Smith caught nine passes for 145 yards to lead the Auggies.

Despite turning the ball over four times -- three fumbles and an interception -- Augsburg dominated the game. Augsburg did not allow a Hamline first down in the first half and claimed 30 first downs to Hamline's four in the contest. Hamline mustered just 144 yards of total offense, including only 15 net rushing yards, the lowest total allowed by the Auggies this season.

Hamline actually scored first, taking advantage of Augsburg's first turnover. Piper linebacker Tyler Schultz took a fumble and ran 66 yards for a touchdown six minutes into the game. Hamline recovered a surprise onside kick but could not take advantage, as a punt was shaked for a one-yard net, giving the Auggies the ball at their own 46-yard-line. Augsburg used the ensuing 11-play, 4:24 drive to score on Ben Paul's one-yard plunge.

George threw two touchdown passes in the game, a 17-yarder to Yarzue Slowon in the second quarter and an eight-yarder to Andrew Neumann in the third quarter. Nick Schlieman capped the scoring with a 23-yard field goal midway through the fourth quarter.

Augsburg's defense stood firm throughout the game, allowing Hamline's offense into Augsburg territory only twice in the contest. Hamline's longest drive was its last of the game, as the Pipers drove 76 yards in seven plays, only to have the drive stalled on downs at the Augsburg 4-yard-line with 1:51 left.

Steve Houser, one of six running backs used by the Auggies in the game, rushed for 99 yards on 17 carries. Paul had 35 rushing yards on six carries and Brady Seesz rushed eight times for 53 yards. Neumann caught eight passes for 69 yards and Slowon caught five passes for 59 yards.

Hamline was led by quarterback Andy Gagnon, who completed 13-of-18 passes for 129 yards, including a 64-yarder to Ross Roberg on the final Piper drive. Roberg caught three passes for 71 yards.

Brandon Fox had two sacks for Augsburg and four tackles for loss, as part of a 15-tackle (seven solo) performance. Joe Cullen had 10 tackles (four solo), including three for loss and a sack.

Hamline's defense was led by Schultz, who had 15 tackles (six solo). Matt Ruhland had 14 tackles (five solo) and Josh Davidson had 12 tackles (five solo). Kasey Yoder had eight tackles, 1.5 sacks and three tackles for loss.

AUGGIES' HOMECOMING SPOILED BY GUSTIES: Drew Stifter (Jr., Watertown, Minn./Watertown-Mayer HS) claimed 141 all-purpose yards and scored two touchdowns, leading Gustavus Adolphus to a 34-21 victory over Augsburg in the Auggies' homecoming contest last Saturday afternoon at Edor Nelson Field. Stifter rushed for 64 yards on 15 carries with touchdown scores of one and 29 yards, and caught eight passes for 77 yards.

Augsburg fell to 1-4 overall and 1-2 in MIAC play, despite a near-record running day by quarterback Marcus LeVesseur (Jr., Minneapolis, Minn./Bloomington Kennedy HS). LeVesseur rushed for 207 yards on 32 carries, just 10 yards shy of the school's single-game rushing record 217 yards by Marty Alger in a 1993 game. LeVesseur rushed for one touchdown and completed 16-of-35 passes for 153 yards and another score, but threw three interceptions, including one returned for a nine-yard touchdown in the third quarter by Gustavus' Jon Horbacz.

The teams combined for 878 yards of total offense in the game -- 466 for Augsburg, 412 for Gustavus. Gustie quarterback Jordan Stolp (Fr., Mankato, Minn./West HS), making just his third collegiate start, compiled 326 yards on 24-of-36 passing with two touchdowns and one interception.

Augsburg jumped on the board first, after a Gustavus drive stalled on a fourth-down rush at the Augsburg 24-yard line. The Auggies marched 76 yards in 11 plays, with LeVesseur throwing a two-yard touchdown pass to Yarzue Slowon (Sr., Crystal, Minn./Robbinsdale Armstrong HS) early in the second quarter.

The Gusties scored on their next drive. After a 38-yard kickoff return by Wade Vrieze, the Gusties marched 62 yards in 10 plays, capped by a one-yard scoring rush by Stifter.

Augsburg took the lead again on its next drive, as LeVesseur scored on a one-yard plunge with 55 seconds left in the first half to complete a 15-play, 68-yard drive. LeVesseur rushed for 30 yards on nine carries in the drive.

But Gustavus scored in the last minute of the first half to cut the lead to 14-13, as two long pass plays from Stolp to Kerry Zajicek, a 19-yarder and a 28-yarder for a touchdown, put the Gusties on the board again with six seconds left in the first half. The point-after-touchdown kick attempt was blocked by Augsburg's Chris Abbott (Sr., Inver Grove Heights, Minn./St. Thomas Academy HS), one of two PATs he blocked in the game.

Augsburg opened the second half with an impressive drive, working the ball to the Gustavus 20-yard line a 12-play excursion. But Vrieze picked off a LeVesseur pass to halt the drive at the Gustie 28. On the Gusties' first play, Stolp threw a 48-yard pass to Zajicek, and after an Augsburg penalty, Stifter rushed 29 yards for a touchdown, puting the Gusties ahead for good.

The next series of plays proved to be the eventual back-breaker for the Auggies. On the ensuing kickoff, Vrieze forced an Augsburg fumble on the kickoff return, recovered by the Gusties' Drew Hood at the Auggie eight-yard line. Augsburg's defense kept the Gusties out of the end zone, and an 11-yard field goal attempt by Gustavus' Stolp sailed wide right. However, Augsburg was whistled for an offsides penalty, giving the Gusties the ball on fourth down at the Augsburg 1. A fourth-down rushing attempt was stacked up by Augsburg's Abbott and Taylor Kroger (Jr., Cottonwood, Minn./Lakeview HS), giving the ball to the Auggies on downs. But on the next play, a LeVesseur pass was intercepted by Horbacz, who returned it nine yards for the touchdown, giving the Gusties a 26-14 lead.

Augsburg scored on its next drive, as a 27-yard kickoff return by Slowon and a 42-yard rush by LeVesseur gave the Auggies good field position, and running back Jason Potts (Fr., Plymouth, Minn./Robbinsdale Armstrong HS) scored his first collegiate touchdown on a two-yard rush with 2:55 left in the third quarter. Potts rushed for 71 yards on 10 carries in the game.

The Gusties followed up the Auggie score with the final TD of the game, as a nine-play, 76-yard drive was capped by an 11-yard scoring strike from Stolp to Clint Riegelman. On a fumbled snap on the point-after kick attempt, holder A.J. Bouquet scrambled and threw a successful two-point conversion pass to Jerry Millan.

Augsburg had another chance to score on its ensuing drive, but penalties cost the Auggies dearly. The Auggies drove to the Gustavus nine-yard line, but were pushed back to the Gustie 34 on a personal-foul penalty. After an incomplete pass, the Auggies attempted a hook-and-lateral on fourth down, but could not get to the first-down marker, and turned the ball over on downs. Augsburg ended up being whistled for 14 penalties for 105 yards in the game, while Gustavus committed just five penalties for 45 yards.

Gustavus used up 4:06 of fourth-quarter time on its next drive, and despite being forced to punt, the Gusties were able to pin the Auggies deep in their own territory and force the hosts into hurry-up mode. A 14-play, 77-yard drive was stalled at the Gustie 13 on downs, and after getting the ball back on a punt with 1:33 to go, the Auggies could not advance the ball far enough, turning the ball over again on downs to end the game.

Ricky Schreier (So., Maplewood, Minn./Cretin-Derham Hall HS), a defensive back moved to wide receiver in the last two weeks, led the Auggies with 68 yards receiving on six catches. Shawn Johnson (Sr., Faribault, Minn.) caught four passes for 44 yards.

Jim Gunderson (Jr., Hastings, Minn.) led Augsburg's defense with 13 tackles (three solo), while Jordan Hastings (Jr., Crystal, Minn./Robbinsdale Armstrong HS) had nine tackles (two solo) and two pass deflections. Kroger had eight tackles (one solo), including a tackle for loss.

LEVESSEUR BECOMING A MULTIPLE THREAT: In his first season of college football, Augsburg quarterback Marcus LeVesseur (Jr., Minneapolis, Minn./Bloomington Kennedy HS) has become a multiple threat in Augsburg's revamped offense.

Through five games, LeVesseur leads the Auggies in both rushing (537 yards on 99 carries) and passing (593 yards, 49-of-106, 7 TD, 7 INT) this season. Among MIAC players (all games), LeVesseur is one of only two players to average more than 100 rushing yards per game. Bethel's Phil Porta averages 154.2; LeVesseur averages 107.4. LeVesseur leads the MIAC (all games) in total offense (226.0 yards per game).

In MIAC games only, LeVesseur leads the conference in rushing (166.7 yards per game in three games), total offense (313.0 ypg) and all-purpose yards (183.3 ypg).

In addition, LeVesseur also serves as the No. 2 kick returner for the Auggies, and has 160 return yards on five attempts (32.0 yards per return).

After setting a school record with four rushing touchdowns and throwing for two more in Augsburg's 42-10 win over Carleton on Oct. 2, LeVesseur was named MIAC Co-Offensive Player of the Week and Don Hansen's National Weekly Football Gazette Division III Co-National Offensive Player of the Week.

Against Gustavus last Saturday. LeVesseur rushed for 207 yards on 32 carries, just 10 yards shy of the school's single-game rushing record 217 yards by Marty Alger in a 1993 game. LeVesseur rushed for one touchdown and completed 16-of-35 passes for 153 yards and another score.

LeVesseur is in his first season of college football after earning two NCAA Division III national championships at 157 pounds as an Auggie wrestler. He is 84-0 after two seasons at Augsburg, and has yet to lose a collegiate match. Augsburg's wrestling season begins on Oct. 30 with the annual Intrasquad Meet/Alumni Night/Parents Night at Si Melby Hall at 7 p.m.

SWITCHING POSITIONS: Augsburg has had several players switch positions in recent weeks. This week, add Andrew Neumann (So., Somerset, Wis.) to the list. Neumann will move from offense to defense, moving from the tight end position to linebacker. In five games at tight end this season, Neumann caught 13 passes for 139 yards.

Lineman Zak Jensen (Jr., Hopkins, Minn.), a transfer from Division I Northern Illinois, started the season as a defensive lineman, but has shifted to offense, and is now Augsburg's starting left guard.

Ricky Schreier (So., Maplewood, Minn./Cretin-Derham Hall HS) started the season as a defensive back, but has played wide receiver in the last two Auggie games. In last Saturday's game against Gustavus, Schreier led the Auggies with six receptions for 68 yards.

SWITCHING TEAMS: Defensive lineman Kasey Yoder (Jr., Duluth, Minn./Duluth Marshall HS) will face his old team for the first time on Saturday. Yoder transferred to Augsburg from Hamline and has become a key reserve on Augsburg's defensive line. Yoder has five tackles (two solo) this season.

Last season at Hamline, Yoder had 25 tackles (11 solo), including nine for loss and 3.5 sacks. In 2002, Yoder had seven tackles (three solo), including two for loss.

MOVING UP THE SACK LADDER: Augsburg defensive end Joe Cullen (Sr., Coon Rapids, Minn.) currently has a team-high four sacks this season and 17.0 on his career. His career total moves him into fifth place in school history in career sacks; the school record is 28.5, set by Bob Anderson from 1992-95. Fourth on the record list is Matt Chappuis, who had 22.5 sacks from 1998-2001.

MOVING UP THE RECEIVING YARDAGE LADDER: Augsburg wide receiver Yarzue Slowon (Sr., Crystal, Minn./Robbinsdale Armstrong HS) now has 1,597 receiving yards on 117 catches (13.6 yards per catch), putting him in sixth place in school history in receiving yards. He has the potential to become just the fourth Augsburg player ever to surpass 2,000 career receiving yards; the school record is 4,696, set by Scott Hvistendahl from 1994-98 (third-best in Division III history, fifth-best in NCAA all-divisions history). Slowon is in his third Augsburg season; he played his freshman year at North Dakota State.

HOUSER CLOSING IN ON 1,000 CAREER RUSHING YARDS: Running back Steve Houser (Jr., Zimmerman, Minn./Elk River HS) has the potential to eclipse the 1,000-yard career rushing milestone this season. A two-year starter, Houser now has 877 career rushing yards on 225 carries (3.9 yards per carry). Augsburg's school record for career rushing yards is 2,226, set by Marty Alger from 1991-95. Three running backs in school history have eclipsed the 2,000-yard barrier -- Alger, Wayne Graves (2,059 yards, 1970-73) and Dan Roff (2,042, 1978-81).

NEW ADDITION TO AUGGIE DEFENSE: Chris Abbott (Sr., Inver Grove Heights, Minn./St. Thomas Academy HS) has been added to the Augsburg defense, and is listed as a starting cornerback. Abbott was a late addition to the Auggie roster, having transferred from South Dakota State University. He appeared in 12 games over the last two seasons at SDSU as a reserve defensive back, with nine tackles (six solo).

OSBERG NOW AUGSBURG'S ALL-TIME FOOTBALL VICTORY LEADER: Augsburg head coach Jack Osberg has been the architect of a rebirth of Augsburg College football since he was named head coach in 1991. Last season, Osberg passed his former coach, Edor Nelson, to become the winningest coach in school history. Osberg, a 1962 Augsburg graduate, is in his 14th season with the Auggies and has a 60-75 career record. Nelson went 56-118-10 from 1947-69. Osberg also has the most MIAC wins (49-68-0) of any Augsburg coach, and his career overall winning percentage of .444 is second-best in school history. Augsburg has had seven .500-or-above seasons under Osberg, the second-most for a coach in school history. Nelson had eight in his 23 years. Bill Caris (1972-75) was 19-19, for the school's best winning percentage of .500. Osberg has the third-longest tenure among current MIAC football coaches, behind St. John's John Gagliardi (56th season, 52nd at St. John's in 2004) and Bethel's Steve Johnson (16th season).

HIGH-PROFILE AUGGIE WRESTLERS PULLING DOUBLE-DUTY: Augsburg has developed a reputation as the most dominant team in small-college wrestling. Augsburg has won a record eight NCAA Division III national titles (1991, 1993, 1995, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002), while finishing second seven times (1984, 1990, 1992, 1996, 1999, 2003, 2004).

This season, several Augsburg wrestlers are pulling double-duty as members of the football team. The highest-profile wrestler playing football this season is quarterback Marcus LeVesseur (Jr., Minneapolis, Minn./Bloomington Kennedy HS), who has won two straight national titles at 157 pounds. He is 84-0 in his two seasons at Augsburg.

Another wrestling All-American, Joe Cullen (Sr., Coon Rapids, Minn.), is a two-time All-MIAC football honorable mention selection on the defensive line. He finished seventh nationally at 197 pounds in the 2004 wrestling national championships. Andrew Neumann (So., Somerset, Wis.), also a 197-pound wrestler, is Augsburg's starting tight end. Last season, Neumann caught 44 passes for 498 yards and a touchdown, the most catches and yards for an Auggie tight end since 1997.

Greg Brendemuehl (Jr., Medford, Minn.), a 2003 wrestling All-American (125 pounds, 6th place), is in his first season as a defensive back for the Auggies, joining fellow wrestler Kirk Rall (Jr., West St. Paul, Minn./Henry Sibley HS) in the backfield, with Rich Miller (Jr., Anoka, Minn.) at linebacker. Transferring to Augsburg this year is Zak Jensen (Jr., Hopkins, Minn.) from Northern Illinois, who will play football (defensive line) and wrestle. He was a two-time state wrestling qualifier (2000, 2001) at Hopkins HS.

One other football/wrestling connection: Johnny Grygelko (Fr., Loretto, Minn./St. Michael-Albertville HS), grandson of former Augsburg coach John Grygelko (1972-80), is a linebacker this season. He was a two-time state competitor in high school wrestling.

A story on Augsburg's football/wrestling connection is online on the Wrestling Mall website: http://www.wrestlingmall.com/htmls/news.asp?Cat=3&View=9470.

Another story on the football/wrestling connection was in the Oct. 6 Minneapolis Star-Tribune: http://www.startribune.com/stories/503/5018086.html.

SCOUTING THE PIPERS: After starting the season with victories over Minnesota-Morris (29-7) and Gustavus (20-18), Hamline has lost its last three games in a row to enter Saturday's game at 2-3. However, the last three Piper losses have all come at the hands of the top three teams in the conference -- losing at home to Bethel (21-6) and St. John's (41-6) and last Saturday at Concordia-Moorhead (42-0).

Cobber quarterback Brian Schumacher passed for 290 yards and five touchdowns to lead Concordia to the shutoutwin over Hamline. Concordia, the only unbeaten team in the MIAC, rolled up 615 yards of total offense in the contest. Hamline was held to 156 yards of offense.

Hamline stopped the Cobbers on their first possession when Jake Bjerke recovered an Ed Oehlers fumble at the Piper 11-yard line. But after a Hamline punt, the Cobbers went 80 yards in 14 plays, capped by Schumacher's 12-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Anderson with 6:41 left in the quarter.

Schumacher would add touchdown passes of 24 and 27 yards in the second quarter to give Concordia a 21-0 lead. Schumacher would throw two more scores in the second half before Jacob Odermann ended the scoring with a 34-yard pass to Chad Rogers with 2:26 left in the contest.

Hamline quarterback Andy Gagnon threw for 126 yards on 15-of-25 passing, but threw two interceptions. Senior Dan Ryks led the receiving corps with 59 yards on four catches. Tight end Jeff Hanger had 50 yards on four receptions. Defensively, freshman Chris Cushenbery led the Pipers with 11 tackles (four solo).

NEXT WEEK: Augsburg hosts defending Division III national champion St. John's next Saturday (10/23) at 1 p.m. at Edor Nelson Field. Hamline travels to Northfield, Minn., to take on St. Olaf next Saturday at 1 p.m.

AUGSBURG TWO-DEEP ROSTER -- OFFENSE
RT -- 75-Matt Siems (So., 6-2, 285), 70-Jason Weber (Fr., 6-4, 230)
RG -- 51-Tony Madline (So., 5-8, 260), 64-Ryan Koelsch (Sr., 5-10, 250)
C -- 65-Adam Hoffmann (Sr., 6-1, 240), 50-Chris Howell (Fr., 6-3, 265)
LG -- 77-John Streefland (Jr., 6-1, 265), 67-Lowery Smith (Jr., 6-1, 255)
LT -- 78-Zak Jensen (Jr., 6-3, 285), 66-Ryan Shea (Jr., 6-7, 355)
TE -- 46-Ty Closson (Sr., 6-2, 205), 11-Erik Bohnhoff (So., 6-6, 190)
FL -- 2-Yarzue Slowon (Sr., 6-0, 180), 5-Micah Young (So., 6-0, 170)
SE -- 87-Ben Bothun (Sr., 5-9, 200) *, 19-Shawn Johnson (Sr., 6-3, 200)
WR -- 10-Ricky Schreier (So., 5-6, 160), 85-De Hanuman (So., 5-5, 160)
HB -- 23-Steve Houser (Jr., 5-10, 190), 28-Jason Potts (Fr., 5-8, 165)
QB -- 7-Marcus LeVesseur (Jr., 5-8, 170), 9-Keith Hagen (So., 6-5, 210)

HAMLINE TWO-DEEP ROSTER -- DEFENSE
LDE -- 88-Jake Bjerke (Sr., 6-3, 235), 54-Dan Aschenbrener (So., 6-3, 205)
LDT -- 91-Chris Cushenberry (Fr., 5-11, 235), 40-Andy Buchanan (Sr., 6-0, 235)
RDT -- 55-Tom Schadegg (So., 6-3, 215), 40-Andy Buchanan (Sr., 6-0, 235)
RDE -- 8-Aaron Seliga (Jr., 6-3, 225), 99-Tyler Scholl (Fr., 6-1, 220)
LB -- 44-Ryss Flaten (So., 5-11, 195), 46-Darryl Sledge (Jr., 5-10, 220)
LB -- 49-Brody Anderson (So., 6-0, 215), 32-Josh Davidson (Jr., 5-9, 215)
OLB -- 6-Jordan Below (So., 6-0, 190), 11-Mike Walsh (Sr., 5-11, 205)
OLB -- 10-Joey Miller (So., 6-1, 185), 12-Ted Stassen (Jr., 6-0, 200)
CB -- 21-Jeff Mauch (Jr., 5-9, 175), 2-Mike Van Loh (Sr., 5-11, 190)
CB -- 15-Nick Keane (Sr., 5-11, 185), 7-Tyler Holte (Jr., 6-0, 185)
FS -- 25-Tyler Schultz (Jr., 6-0, 190), 22-Adam Hespen (Jr., 5-10, 175)

AUGSBURG TWO-DEEP ROSTER -- DEFENSE
DE -- 37-Craig Pike (Sr., 6-2, 255), 94-Derick Kelly (Fr., 6-4, 215)
DT -- 99-Chike Ochiagha (Jr., 5-10, 270), 95-Kasey Yoder (Jr., 6-0, 210)
DT -- 42-Jake Koelln (Jr., 6-0, 255), 95-Kasey Yoder (Jr., 6-0, 210)
DE -- 47-Joe Cullen (Sr., 6-0, 215), 94-Derick Kelly (Fr., 6-4, 215)
SLB -- 34-Jim Gunderson (Jr., 5-11, 195), 45-Kyle Voelz (Sr., 5-10, 210) *
MLB -- 80-Andrew Neumann (So., 6-4, 225), 41-John Golnitz (Sr., 6-3, 220)
WLB -- 44-Mike Matson (So., 6-1, 210), 25-Tim Stowe (Sr., 5-8, 196)
CB -- 20-Chris Abbott (Sr., 6-1, 185), 33-Greg Brendemuehl (Jr., 5-7, 155)
SS -- 4-Jordan Hastings (Jr., 6-4, 195), 29-Jason Jenkins (So., 6-0, 210)
FS -- 21-Ross Peroutka (Jr., 6-0, 190), 17-Troy Deden (So., 5-11, 210)
CB -- 22-Andy Matzke (Jr., 6-1, 190), 48-Ryan Stockhaus (So., 5-8, 150)

HAMLINE TWO-DEEP ROSTER -- OFFENSE
LT -- 78-Derek Haehnel (So., 6-3, 260), 62-Josh Heasley (Sr., 6-1, 320)
LG -- 61-Rick Dimon (So., 6-1, 255), 60-Matt Thiboldeaux (Fr., 6-2, 235)
C -- 53-Jon Driscoll (Jr., 6-0, 255), 50-Shane Anding (Fr., 6-0, 220)
RG -- 70-Ali Shouman (Sr., 6-0, 255), 56-Bruce Miller (Fr., 6-1, 235)
RT -- 77-Nick Flatness (Jr., 6-2, 235), 76-Gerry Wallace (Fr., 6-3, 280)
TE -- 86-Jeff Hanger (So., 6-4, 215), 87-Ryan Haws (Jr., 6-1, 205)
SE -- 18-Ryan Laube (Jr., 6-1, 185), 80-Josh Johnson (Jr., 6-4, 200)
FL -- 5-Dan Ryks (Sr., 6-0, 180), 24-Ross Roberg (Jr., 6-0, 190)
FB -- 26-Ryan Rasmussen (Fr., 6-0, 190), 31-Jermaine Davis (Jr., 6-0, 200)
TB -- 41-Ben Dahmes (So., 5-11, 190), 20-Ben Ganske (Fr., 5-9, 175)
QB -- 13-Andy Gagnon (Sr., 5-11, 195), 17-Noah Rasmussen (So., 6-2, 190)

AUGSBURG SPECIALISTS
K -- 1-Nick Schlieman (Jr., 6-4, 250), 96-Kyle Danner (So., 6-0, 180)
P -- 1-Nick Schlieman (Jr., 6-4, 250), 9-Keith Hagen (So., 6-5, 210)
LS -- 25-Tim Stowe (Sr., 5-8, 196), 80-Andrew Neumann (So., 6-4, 225)
SS -- 80-Andrew Neumann (So., 6-4, 225), 25-Tim Stowe (Sr., 5-8, 196)
H -- 11-Erik Bohnhoff (So., 6-6, 190)
KR -- 2-Yarzue Slowon (Sr., 6-0, 180), 7-Marcus LeVesseur (Jr., 5-8, 170)
PR -- 22-Andy Matzke (Jr., 6-1, 190), 2-Yarzue Slowon (Sr., 6-0, 180)

HAMLINE SPECIALISTS
P -- 18-Ryan Laube (Jr., 6-1, 185)
K -- 42-Paul Klees (Fr., 6-0, 180)
LS -- 55-Tom Schadegg (So., 6-3, 215)
H -- 18-Ryan Laube (Jr., 6-1, 185)
PR -- 43-Brandon Johnson (Fr., 5-9, 175), 2-Mike Van Loh (Sr., 5-11, 190)
KR -- 43-Brandon Johnson (Fr., 5-9, 175), 20-Ben Ganske (Fr., 5-9, 175)

* ROSTER NOTES -- Ben Bothun wears 14 in home maroon jersey, 87 in road white jersey;
Kyle Voelz has changed his jersey from 58 to 45 in both home and road uniforms.