SAINT, PAUL, MINN.—The Hamline University football team took the field for the first time since November 16, 2019 on Saturday when they faced Crown College in their 2021 season opener. The Pipers controlled the tempo of the game as they led from start-to-finish in a 54-38 decision over the Storm.

"It's good to get a first win, but there are a lot of things we got to clean up and do better before we enter MIAC play," said Pipers head football coach Chip Taylor. "It's fun to teach those things when you win the game."

The Pipers improve to 1-0 while Crown falls to 0-1.

Hamline 54, Crown 38

Senior wide receiver Triston Thomas, and senior quarterback Connor Leavens dominated the first quarter for the Pipers as the duo connected on 14-yard, and 3-yard touchdown passes, which gave Hamline a 14-0 lead with 3:03 left.

The Pipers stretched their lead to 40-0 with 5:53 left in the second before Crown responded with two scores to make the score 40-14 at halftime. No scoring occurred in the third quarter before Crown outlasted Hamline 24-14 in the fourth quarter, but it wasn't enough as the Pipers locked a 54-38 victory.

Leavens finished the game 24-of-32 passing for 284 yards with five touchdowns, while Triston Thomas hauled in 13 passes for 137 yards and two touchdowns for the Pipers. Nikolas Rocafort (83 yards) and Terrell Jones (67 yards) were each effective on the ground for Hamline. Adrian Cracolici registered a team-leading eight tackles for the Pipers, followed by seven from Sam Fritz.

Following a week off, the Pipers will hit the road to Minnesota Morris on Saturday, September 18 at 1:00 p.m.