University of St. Thomas Athletics
Augsburg
Football overcomes injuries, posts 34-14 victory
10/6/2001 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sat. Oct. 6, 2001
MIAC Football/St. Thomas 34, Augsburg 14
Backup stars for Tommies in 34-14 MIAC victory
In his first college start, Justin Kostner (SO-Arcadia, Wis.) rushed 31 times for 146 yards, including TD runs of 54 and 5 yards, and teammate Andrew Hilliard (JR-Woodbury) caught three touchdown passes as host St. Thomas scored a 34-14 victory over Augsburg in MIAC football Saturday at O'Shaughnessy Stadium.
The Tommies (3-2 overall, 3-1 MIAC) scored three touchdowns shortly after Auggie turnovers and beat the Auggies (2-3, 2-2) for the 29th time in the last 31 meetings and 15th consecutive time in St. Paul.
St. Thomas outgained Augsburg 367-186 yards and won without three injured offensive starters, including ace running back Jake Barkley (JR-Plymouth/Robb. Armstrong), who ranks
fourth in NCAA Division III in rushing at 173.5 ypg but sat out with a bruised knee. After an Augsburg fumble on a punt return on the game's fifth play, Kostner dashed 54 yards for a TD on first down, and the PAT kick made it 7-0. The Auggies answered with a 10-play, 69-yard drive capped by T.J. Bramwell's 10-yard run and PAT kick for a 7-7 tie. Hilliard's 34-yard TD catch from QB Nick Ambrasas (JR-St. Paul/Arlington) with 42 seconds left in the first half capped a 14-play, 90-yard drive and let the Tommies take a 14-7 halftime lead. The Tommie built a 27-7 lead in the third period on two more Hilliard TD catches that followed interceptions. UST's Rick Joslin (JR-Cambridge) intercepted Auggie QB Dave Fransen on the first play from scrimmage in the second half and returned it to the Auggie 25. Five plays later, Ambrasas connected for an 8-yard TD pass. Augsburg backup QB Johnny Gooddale was inserted, but he was picked off by UST's Bob Hannah (SR-Cottage Grove/Park), who returned the interception 36 yards to the Auggie 27. Six plays later, Ambrasas threw a 10-yard TD pass to Hilliard for a 27-7 lead. The Auggies pulled within 27-14 with 14:16 to go on Bramwell's 12-yard reception from Fransen. But Kostner's 5-yard TD run with 5:08 capped an eight-play, 55-yard drive and iced the victory. Ambrasas completed 16-of-30 passes with one interception for 206 yards and three TDs. Hilliard caught seven passes for 101 yards and Ryan Galindo (JR-Mpls./Washburn) caught four passes for 43 yards. On defense, the Tommies had four sacks, held Augsburg to 1-for-11 on third-down conversions and just 52 yards passing. Along with his interception, Joslin was in on 11 tackles and John Kaiser (SO-Mora) and Andy Kaiser (SR-Mora) were each in on seven tackles. The Auggies had four turnovers and were called for eight penalties for 107 yards. Bramwell rushed 11 times for 52 yards; Ben Paul rushed 13 ties for 50 yards; and Mark Johnson had four catches for 33 yards. St. Thomas hosts St. Olaf next Saturday, while the Auggies return home to face Macalester. see box score here see game photos from Augsburg website here
