Box Score Justice Spriggs added another notch to his place in the Hamline football record book. Nick Barber made a big impression as well. The pair were part of a freewheeling offensive affair that saw the Pipers rack up 530 yards but fall just short, 40-33, at St. Olaf, Saturday. 

Spriggs set a school record with 34 completions in 50 passes. His 456 yards in the air was just 19 short of the school mark he set last year. The junior became the second Piper in school history top throw for moremthan 5,000 yards. The all-time school record is 5,465 set by Jay Schneider, who played here from 1991-94. 

Barber, a freshman, caught a remarkable 16 passes for 274 yards and a school record four touchdowns. The reception number was just two shy of Dick Donlin's record-setting effort in 1955 against St. John's that is the school standard. 

It was a wild offensive day with the two teams combining for 917 yards total offense. The Oles led all the way but needed to force -- and recover -- a fumble at their own 8 yard line on the second to last play of the game to secure the win. 

Spriggs and Barber (18) began to work their magic early, teaming up for a six yard, first quarter TD. But the Oles took advantage of a pair of turnovers to grab a 28-6 lead in the second quarter. 

Spriggs and Barber then hooked up for a 26 yard score only to see St. Olaf come back with a TD. Late in the half, the junior QB found Harrison Jones for a seven yarder and it was 34-19 at halftime. 

The Spriggs-Barber duo connected from four yards out in the third quarter to get the Pipers within a score at 34-26. Unfortunately, St. Olaf went down the field and scored to force HU into a two score deficit at 40-26. A short punt gave HU the ball at the STO 36. It took just six plays for Spriggs and Barber to connect for TD No. 4 and Hamline was back within a single score with 3:47 on the clock. 

The defense held and Hamline had the ball at the STO 48 with 2:33 left. A 24 yard pass to Barber moved the ball to the STO 8. later, HU got as close as the 1 before the Ole defense stiffened. On a third and goal, STO forced and recovered the fumble that ended the Piper comeback hopes. 

Hamline fell to 2-3 overall and 1-2 in the MIAC. HU plays their next two games at Klas Field. First up: Concordia for Homecoming on Saturday, October 14. Game time is 1:00 p.m.