ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Macalester College football team kicked off the 2019 season with a 41-0 loss at Carleton Saturday afternoon at Laird Stadium. The loss ends a three-game winning streak in the battle for the Book of Knowledge, the traveling trophy the two rivals vie for annually.

The game got off to a rough start for the Scots, who gave Carleton the ball on the 1-yard line after a long snap went over the punter's head on Macalester's first offensive possession. It took the Knights four downs to gain one yard, but Beau Nelson hit Sean Goodman Jr. with a touchdown pass to put the hosts on the board, 7-0.

On the next possession, the Scots moved the ball to the Carleton 29-yard line before senior quarterback Johnny Bice (Fort Dodge, Iowa/Fort Dodge) was intercepted, the first of four Macalester turnovers. A pair of fumbles led to two field goals in the first half, as the Knights took a 13-0 lead at the half.

In the second half, Carleton scored two touchdowns in the third quarter and two more in the fourth while keeping the Scots off the scoreboard by limiting them to six drives after halftime. Nelson threw for 301 yards and four touchdowns, while Mack Journell caught 14 passes for 181 yards and two touchdowns.

Bice was 16-of-35 for 158 yards and two interceptions in his first collegiate start. He also rushed seven times for 34 yards. Sophomore running back Kian Sohrabi (Dubai, UAE/American School of Dubai) had 13 carries for 48 yards, while senior receiver Reese Bresson (Homosassel, Fla./Crystal River) caught four passes for 49 yards. Sophomore receiver Peter Vitalis (Shafer, Minn./Chisago Lakes) also had four receptions for 23 yards.

On defense, senior defensive back Dean Smith (Carpinteria, Calif./Cate School) had an interception while leading the Scots with nine tackles and two pass breakups. Senior linebacker Josh Bartz (Omaha, Neb./Brownell-Talbot) had seven tackles and junior linebacker Sam Jakshtis (Hardwick, Mass./Worcester Academy) tallied six tackles and a sack.

Macalester plays another rival, Hamline for the Paint Bucket on Saturday, Sept. 14 in the Scots' home opener. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. at Macalester Stadium.