University of St. Thomas Athletics
Augsburg
Football loses on late field goal, 22-20
11/1/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
Another week, another close game, but disappointment this time for Tommie football. St. Thomas missed a chance to move back into the MIAC lead with Saturday's 22-20 loss at Augsburg, a game decided with a 34-yard field goal with 16 seconds to go.
St. Thomas (5-3 overall, 4-3 MIAC) has had all seven conference games decided by eight or less points. Coach Glenn Caruso's team missed a chance at mocing back ito a share of the MIAC lead and join two-loss teams Gustavus, St. John's, Concordia and Carleton atop the wild standings.
The Auggies trailed 20-19 in the final minute and tried a field goal on third down. It was blocked, but after a long discussion it was ruled the Auggies recovered behind the line and had possession at the 17-yard line, facing fourth down. They were able to line up again for a 34-yard try that was successful.
Tommie sophomore Ben Wartman rushed for 300 yards on 37 carries and three TDs -- just 14 yards under the MIAC and St. Thomas single-game record held by Peter Ridley. Wartman had two 57-yard TD runs that built a 14-7 lead. His seven-yard scoring run with 1:56 remaining put the Tommies ahead 20-19, but a two-point try was unsuccessful.
Augsburg drove from ikts own 35 to the Tommie one-yard line over the next 90 seconds, but the Auggies was flagged for a five-yard false start penalty. They Toms stopped QB Jordan Berg for one yard with 23 seconds left, the Auggies decided to kick a field goal and leave one extra down as insurance.
The Tommies had a scant 447-444 advantage in total yards, and both teams had three turnovers. UST's Brady Ervin, Zach Sturm and Bryan Villar had interceptions, and Tony Danna had one sack among nine tackles.
The Tommies were was stopped on 4th-and-goal at the Auggie 1-yard line in the final 30 seconds of the first half, which ended in a 7-7 tie.
St. Thomas closes its MIAC portion of the season and plays its last game at O'Shaughnessy Stadium next Saturday to face Bethel for Homecoming.
Click here for Ausgburg game story and stats:
Game story:
http://www.augsburg.edu/athletics/football/0809statistics/110108stthomas.html
Game boxscore:
http://www.augsburg.edu/athletics/football/0809statistics/110108ST.HTM
To view more Greg Smith action photos, ciick here:
LB Zach Sturm just misses a pickoff. (Greg Smith photo)
Special teams get another field-goal block. (Greg Smith photo)
Defense makes a play. (Greg Smith photo)
John Hasbargen tries to down a punt near the goal. (Greg Smith photo)
CB Jeffrey Hilliard (22) above, and below. (Greg Smith photo)
Safety Bryan Villar (7). (Greg Smith photo)
