MINNEAPOLIS, MINN.—The Battle of "The Hammer" was at stake for the Hamline University football team against Augsburg University at Edor Nelson Field in Minneapolis on Saturday. The Auggies claimed their second-straight "Hammer" with a 38-30 decision over the Pipers. Augsburg now owns a 12-4 record since "The Hammer" trophy game was established in 2005.

The loss drops Hamline's record to 3-4, 1-4 MIAC, while Augsburg improves to 4-3, 4-1 MIAC.

Augsburg 38, Hamline 30

Special teams was the name of the game over the first two drives, and Lucius Negrillo did the honors with a 29-yard field goal that gave Hamline a 3-0 edge with 10:10 left in the opening frame. Things didn't go in Hamline's way on that second drive as the Auggies returned a 77-yard kickoff for a touchdown, followed by a failed two-point conversion that gave them a 6-3 lead 10 seconds later at the 9:50 mark.

The Pipers committed to their ground game as eight of their 10 plays on the next drive occurred via the run, which ended with Terrell Jones' four-yard scamper with 4:02 left in the opening quarter, followed by a failed extra point that gave Hamline a 9-6 edge. Augsburg quarterback Cade Sheehan took over, as the next drive saw him complete 3-of-3 passes for 27 yards, along with a 29-yard rush that set them up at the Hamline six-yard line. Sheehan finished the job with a five-yard touchdown pass, and a successful two-point conversion pass to Michael Ims that gave Augsburg the lead at 14-9 with 1:08 left in the first.

Hamline registered a 16-14 lead, and took it into halftime as quarterback Connor Leavens notched a 20-yard touchdown pass to Triston Thomas with 0:38 left in the second quarter

The Auggies regained the lead for good with a pair of Tre Lee touchdown runs that gave them a 26-16 cushion heading into the fourth quarter. Triston Thomas came through with 56, and 12-yard touchdown receptions in the fourth quarter, but it was too late in a 38-30 loss.

Thomas tallied 11 catches for 159 yards and three touchdowns for Hamline, while quarterback Leavens played a role in that with a 25-of-45 passing performance for 265 yards and three touchdowns. Alec Ralph led Hamline on the ground with 72 yards rushing. The defense was led by Zach Griebel's 12 tackles.

Augsburg quarterback Sheehan was lethal with a 17-of-33 passing mark for 205 yards and two touchdowns, along with 89 rushing yards.

The Pipers will make the short trek to Macalester on Saturday, October 30 for a 7:00 p.m. kickoff.