Hamline University Athletics

Justice Spriggs made a great first imprerssion upon Crown -- and the MIAC -- in the Pipers' football opener last Saturday. The sophomore quarterback completed 25 of 33 passes for 333 yards and three touchdowns ansd ran for a fourth as the Pipers gave head coach Chip Taylor a victory in his first game at the helm in a 29-9 decision over the Storm at Klas Field.

Spriggs hooked up twice with Josiah Harris  and once to Harrison Jones as part of a 523 yard offensive attack. Perhaps even more impressive was the pair of zeroes also attached to Spriggs' playing resume for the day. That would be the number of times he was sacked and the numbers of times he was intercepted. Spriggs' .758 completion percentage ranks seventh in the country among All Division III throwers.

It added up to Hamline winning its season opener for the fifth year in a row. Spriggs also picked up another honor when he was named MIAC Football Offensive Player of the Week.

The Pipers go for two in a row this week -- and there is a trophy on the line to boot. It's the annual battle for Tha Paint Bucket against Macalester. The prime matchup at Klas Field starts at 7:00 p.m.