DULUTH, MINN.—The Hamline University football team closed their 2022 season with a two-hour trip northbound on I-35 to St. Scholastica on Saturday afternoon. Charlie Wilson recorded his single-season school record 72nd reception for the Pipers, who couldn't capitalize on the game's final drive as they dropped a 26-24 decision.
The Pipers end their season with a 2-8 record, while the Saints conclude their campaign with a 3-7 mark.
St. Scholastica 26, Hamline 24
Wilson, who started at quarterback, did it all for Hamline as he completed a pass, hauled in a catch, and accumulated rushing yards. The Pipers capitalized on the game's opening drive. Wilson accumulated 32 yards on the ground throughout the series, and capped it with a two-yard rush that gave Hamline a 7-0 lead with 6:36 left in the first quarter.
The Saints responded on their next two drives behind Benjamin Hunter's 20-yard touchdown catch from quarterback Donald West that narrowed their deficit to 7-6 with 3:31 left in the first. West gave the Saints the lead for good on an 18-yard touchdown run at the 12:26 mark of the second that made the score 13-7.
It was a lead St. Scholastica wouldn't surrender despite Hamline cutting their deficit to within three points on three more occasions. Andrew Thompson's field goal with 7:10 left in the second cut the score to 13-10. They continued to stay within striking distance as both teams traded a pair of touchdowns to close the game. Eli Danielson's 10-yard touchdown run with 3:22 left in the third made the score 19-17, before Ryder Hutton's 10-yard touchdown catch with 4:53 left in the fourth put things at 26-24.
Wilson, who now owns a school record 73 receptions, finished the game with 160 rushing yards from the quarterback position. He completed nine passes for 66 yards and one touchdown, and hauled in two catches for short yardage.
Sam Fritz led the Hamline defense with 12 tackles (10 solo). Hamline held a slight 360-350 edge in total offense.
Nick Schlender highlighted St. Scholastica with 145 yards on the ground.
The Pipers bid farewell to 13 seniors in Kyle Ager, Sam Dabrowski, Eli Danielson, Max Fick, Sam Fritz, Ryder Hutton, Terrell Jones, Chip Kindt, Melvin Kuegah-Chouchouda, Kevin Lake, Ryan Lauterbach, Lucius Negrillo, and Denley Wenner.
