ST. BONIFACIUS, MINN.—Junior wide receiver Dawson Schaffer caught a single-game school record five touchdown passes from 66, 33, eight, eight, and 94 yards out for the Hamline University football team in their 35-14 victory at Crown on Saturday night.
The Pipers, who improve to 1-0, have now defeated the Polars on opening day for the fourth consecutive season to send their record to 0-1.
The previous record of four receiving touchdowns was accomplished multiple times, most recently by Charlie Wilson in a 31-27 loss to Carleton on September 23, 2024.
Hamline 35, Crown 14
All of Schaffer's touchdown grabs came from senior quarterback Alejandro Villanueva. The first three occurred in the first quarter from 66, 33, and eight yards out to give the Pipers a 21-0 lead. He added two more touchdown catches from eight and 94 yards in the second quarter, which gave Hamline a 35-0 halftime lead.
The second half resulted in just 67 yards of total offense for the Pipers after they racked up 324 throughout the opening half. Crown managed to cross the goal line twice courtesy of quarterback Zach Brown's eight-yard toss to Jakari Hunnecook with 14:09 left in the fourth quarter, followed by an 18-yard throw to Michael Downs on the next drive with 10:46 on the clock, which narrowed their deficit to 35-14.Â
Schaffer, who transferred to Hamline prior to 2024 from MIAC foe Concordia (Minn.), finished the contest with nine receptions for 272 yards and five touchdowns. His 272 yards receiving were just two shy of Nick Barber's record of 274 set at St. Olaf on October 7, 2017.
Villanueva completed 17-of-28 passes for a career-high 353 yards and five touchdowns.Â
Both teams combined for just 129 yards rushing, led by Polars running back Chris Nigh's 42 yards on 16 carries.
Croix Zacharias paced the Hamline defense with 10 tackles, nine of which were solo, which included 2 1/2 that resulted in a loss of 11 yards. He also had a fumble recovery and an interception. Charlie VanGuilder returned an interception 30 yards.Â
Ethan Mills had the team's lone sack of the game, which was a loss of six yards.
The Pipers will host Minnesota Morris at Klas Field for Duane Benson Day on Saturday, September 14 at 6 p.m.
