SAINT PAUL, MINN.—The turnover battle went in the Hamline University football team's favor courtesy of Juan Bertaud's three-interception performance. Coming up empty on those three ensuing drives, a lack of running lanes created in the trenches, and missed tackles in crucial situations doomed the Pipers in a 24-14 loss to Carleton in their Homecoming Game at Klas Field on Saturday afternoon.

The Pipers fall to 2-1, 0-1 MIAC, while the Knights improve to 2-1, 1-0 MIAC.

Carleton 24, Hamline 14

Antonio Barrera's 24 yards rushing on Carleton's scoring drive that began with 6:41 left in the first quarter was more than half of Hamline's total on the ground for the entire game. That nine-play, 84-yard drive ended with Knights quarterback Jack Curtis's 25-yard touchdown toss to Nathan Streiff, which gave them a 7-0 lead with 3:53 left in the opening quarter. 

After back-to-back three and outs from the Hamline offense, the Knights got the ball back at midfield with 12:08 left in the second quarter. It took Carleton eight plays to find the end zone. Streiff's second touchdown grab of the game from Curtis 28 yards out widened the score to 14-0 with 7:58 remaining in the second quarter.

The Pipers answered the bell on the next drive, where they racked up 27 of their 49 yards rushing in the contest. Malik Wynn's 20 yards rushing on three carries set up Alejandro Villanueva's three-yard touchdown connection to Dawson Schaffer that narrowed Hamline's deficit to 14-7 with 1:56 left in the first half. That was plenty of time for both teams to trade three-and-outs, and give Carleton the ball with 00:53 remaining at their own 47. They managed to get off six plays, which set up Marcus Merkelbach's 33-yard field goal that pushed the Knights' lead to 17-7 at halftime.

Carleton's offense opened the third quarter with a three-and-out, which gave Hamline the ball on their 42 with 14:08 on the clock. Dawson Schaffer's 36-yard grab on the third play put the Pipers on Carleton's 10. He caught his second touchdown of the game three plays later from eight yards out to narrow Carleton's lead to 17-14 with 10:37 remaining in the third quarter.

Jaden Coleman rushed for 39 yards on the ensuing drive, which included a four-yard score that widened the margin to 24-14 with 6:10 left in the third quarter.

Juan Bertaud gave Hamline opportunities to come back and take the lead with two interceptions in the fourth quarter. However, the offense followed those two interceptions with a three-and-out, and a turnover that locked Carleton a 24-14 win.

Bertaud's three interceptions for 36 yards for Hamline was one shy of a single-game record. He added four solo tackles to his stat line. Allen Walker made his season debut with a team-leading 11 tackles for the Pipers.

Schaffer caught seven balls for 125 yards and two touchdowns while Villanueva completed 16-of-28 passes for 206 yards and two touchdowns.

Carleton's Jack Curtis completed 29-of-41 passes for 240 yards and two touchdowns. Nathan Streiff caught six passes for 93 yards and two scores, while Ntense Obono made nine grabs for 67 yards. The Knights out rushed the Pipers 176-47, led by Jaden Coleman's 88 yards on 18 carries.

Hamline will travel to St. Olaf on Saturday, October 5 for a 1 p.m. game.