SAINT PAIL, MINN.—The inaugural MIAC Football Championship Week format pitted Hamline against St. Scholastica for the second time this season at Klas Field on Saturday afternoon. Both teams squared-off at Klas Field on October 2, when the Pipers converted a 34-18 victory over the Saints. Hamline continued their winning ways against the first-year MIAC program with a 21-20 decision over the Saints.

The Pipers conclude the 2021 season with a 4-6, 1-6 MIAC record, while St. Scholastica closes their inaugural campaign in the MIAC with an 0-8, 0-8 MIAC record.

Hamline 21, St. Scholastica 20

Hamline quarterback Connor Leavens went 4-for-4 passing for 80 yards on the game's opening drive, which included his 58-yard toss to Matt Miller that set them up at the Saints 23-yard line. Running back Nikolas Rocafort punched in a two-yard touchdown run three plays later, which gave Hamline a 7-0 lead with 12:28 left in the opening frame.

The Saints' next two drives resulted in touchdowns as quarterback Byron Bishop's three-yard touchdown run followed by a failed extra point, and Mitchell Adrian's 40-yard touchdown reception from Bishop gave their team a 14-7 lead over Hamline with 6:06 left in the first quarter.

Ryder Hutton's loan reception of the contest for Hamline tied the game at 14-14, as his 15-yard touchdown grab concluded a 14-play drive with 14:54 left in the second. The Saints' final points of the contest occurred with 11:47 left in the second, when Bishop's six-yard scamper gave his team a 20-14 advantage.

Pipers back-up quarterback Alejandro Villanueva entered the game with 7:43 left in the third quarter. After Hamline turned the ball over on downs in Villanueva's first series, a rhythm was discovered in the early stages of the fourth quarter. Villanueva connected with Alec Ralph for a 30-yard score with 12:51 remaining in the fourth, which gave Hamline a 21-20 lead.

Connor Leavens went 16-of-21 passing for 187 yards and one touchdown. Rocafort led Hamline on the ground with 60 yards, while Matt Miller caught three passes for 73 yards. Charlie Wilson notched seven catches for 67 yards for the Pipers.

Carson Reinard was explosive for the Hamline defense with nine tackles, which included 2.5 sacks. Godmar Gach, Max Fick, and Evan Miller also registered sacks for the Pipers.

The Pipers racked up 366 yards of offense, and held St. Scholastica to 202.

Hamline bids farewell to seniors Landyn Swearingen, Connor Leavens, Will Conzet, Adrian Cracolici, Matt Miller, and Matt Peters.