University of St. Thomas Athletics
Hamline
Football outlasts Hamline, wins 24-21
9/27/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sophomore Ben Wartman had 112 of his 140 rushing yards in the second half and helped host St. Thomas (2-1 overall, 1-1 MIAC) post a 24-21 victory over Hamline (1-2, 0-2) in Saturday's MIAC football play at UST's O'Shaughnessy Stadium.
St. Thomas, which outgained the Pipers in total yards 395-280, scored 17 unanswered points to rally from a 14-7 second-period deficit.
The Tommies, who had three rushing touchdowns on the day, got Coach Glenn Caruso his first MIAC victory in his brief career. They also avenged a 41-34, two-overtime loss to the Pipers in 2007.
Wartman finished with 140 yards on 21 carries, including a two-yard scoring run with 32 seconds left in the first half that tied the game just before halftime.
Tommie junior PK Eric Taylor was 3-for-3 in PATs and made a key 35-yard field goal with 14:04 to play to break a 14-14 tie. Moments later, with the lead still at 17-14, UST junior punter A.C. Clothier had a 61-yard punt that was downed at the Hamline four-yard line with under 7:00 left. The Tommie defense forced a three-and-out and UST took possession at the Hamline 31-yard line.
Senior QB David Sauer capped a 31-yard scoring drive, including two third-down conversions, with a one-yard TD run with 2:17 to go. That gave UST a 24-14 lead.
Hamline, which had no turnovers and just two penalties on the day, drove 65 yards and scored with 22 seconds left on James Leary's one-yard run to pull within 24-21. The Pipers were unable to recover and onside kick after a long 
scramble at midfield.
The Tommie offense had just one turnover but had the bulk of the team's 12 penalties for 130 yards. The Toms were called for an illegal block play far away the ball that negated a 13-yard touchdown pass on the last play of the third period, with the score tied 14-14.
For the Pipers, Leary completed 19-of-33 passes for 251 yards and no interceptions. Sean Lewis had a 69-yard TD catch and finished with six receptions for 138 yards. Mike LaBore had a fumble recovery and seven tackles.
For UST, linebacker Tony Danna had 1.5 sacks and six total tackles, and CB Kris Kopp had three pass breakups including one in the end zone. The Tommie defense has allowed just five touchdowns and one field goal in 12 quarters of regulation this season. On offense, Fritz Waldvogel caught five passes for 74 yards, and Sauer completed 13-of-24 passes for 143 yards and no interceptions.
The Tommies play at Gustavus next Saturday.
PHOTO: Above right, Ben Wartman
Click here for box score:
http://www.tommiesports.com/ftbl/stats/9-27-fb.htm
Ben Wartman (8) rushed for 140 yards for the Tommies. (Mike Ekern photo)
St. Thomas players sing their fight song after their 24-21 win over Hamline. (Mike Ekern photo)
