On a night where two teams combined for nearly 800 yards of offense, the Hamline defense rose to the occasion when needed and returned The Paint Bucket to Hewitt Ave. 

The Pipers made key stops in the final minute of play to ensure a 31-27 victory over Macalester on the latter's field Saturday night. The come-from-behind win evened the Pipers' record at 1-1 and signaled for all to see that Connor Leavens is, indeed, a force to be dealt with at quarterback. 

Leavens (15) completed 25 of 35 passes for 287 yards and four touchdowns. Tyler Dobbs was on the receiving end of two of those tosses with Tanner Lunceford and Triston Thomas also catching efforts for scores.

The Pipers started fast. Payne dashed in from three yards and Dobbs caught a seven yard strike. Both extra points were missed and the first quarter ended with HU ahead, 12-0. 

The Scots tied the game in the second quarter but Leavens found Thomas for a 12 yarder to give the Pipers an 18-12 lead at halftime. 

In the third quarter, Leavens and Lunceford teamed up for a score and a 24-12 advantage. Macalester came right back with a pair of scores -- the second TD coming in the final second of the third quarter for a 27-24 lead entering the final frame. 

HU responded with a 65 yard, eight play drive, ending with Leavens' fourth TD of the night, a 21 yarder to Dobbs. 

On the next drive, Macalester got to the HU 14, a drive that was stopped when Chip Kindt recovered a fumble.

After three punts, the Scots started their last drive at their own 20 with 1:14 on the clock. They advanced to the Piper 30 when the defense stiffened for the last time. Cole Cummings forced an incomplete pass. Three more pass attempts were unsuccessful and the Pipers reclaimed the trophy that goes to the winner of the non-conference affair.

Adrian Cracolici was again superb on defense with nine tackles, a fumble return and a pass breakup. Monty Stenroos and Carson Reinard added eight stops apiece. 

HU now turns its attention to MIAC play. They get to open conference action with a pair of home games. St. Thomas comes to Klas Field on Saturday, Septmeber 21 for a 1;10 p.m. Concordia visits on September 28 with a 1:00 p.m. kickoff.