MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – The Macalester College football team fought hard on the road at Augsburg but couldn't secure its first MIAC Skyline win of the season, as the Auggies defeated the Scots, 37-29 Saturday afternoon at Edor Nelson Field. The loss drops the Scots to 1-5 overall and 0-2 in the MIAC Skyline Division, while the Auggies improve to 3-3, 1-0 Skyline.

Macalester was ready at the start, as senior linebacker Paul Brinson (Buffalo, N.Y./Nichols School) forced a fumble and recovered it at the Augsburg 36-yard line on the Auggies' second play of the game. The Scots took advantage of the short field and eventually scored on a 2-yard run by senior running back Kian Sohrabi (Dubai, UAE/American School of Dubai) just 1:42 into the game. Augsburg answered with a 12-play, 57-yard touchdown drive, but senior defensive lineman John Newton (Highland Village, Texas/Coram Deo Academy) blocked the extra point to keep Macalester on top, 7-6.

On their next possession, the Scots drove deep into Augsburg territory and had the ball first and goal at the 3-yard line. But an interception at the goal line ended the drive and kept Macalester from adding to its lead. With the Aggies backed up to their own goal line, the Scots held firm, as first year defensive lineman Max Menache (Beverly Hills, Calif./Beverly Hills) tackled Isaiah Thompson in the end zone for a safety and a 9-6 advantage.

Senior receiver Brody Fuller (Groveland, Mass./St. Mark's School) returned the ensuing kickoff to the Augsburg 40, and it took the Scots just four plays to score, with junior quarterback Michael Nadeau (Garden Grove, Calif./La Quinta) hitting senior receiver Rex Desso (Evergreen, Colo./Lakewood) with an 18-yard touchdown pass.

In the second quarter, Augsburg scored two touchdowns to make the score 19-16 Auggies, with Newton blocking another extra point attempt. Following the second touchdown, Macalester had the ball on its own 30-yard line with 38 seconds on the clock. Nadeau completed four passes to move the ball to the Augsburg 46 with seven seconds left. A long pass into the end zone was briefly held by Desso but eventually intercepted by Marcus Kimbrough to end the half.

Macalester's first drive of the second half was a successful one, covering 13 plays for 70 yards and culminating in a 5-yard touchdown run by sophomore running back Logan Pampel (Johnson Creek, Wis./Lakeside Lutheran School) for a 22-19 lead. Augsburg responded, scoring on a 44-yard touchdown pass from Cade Sheehan to Dominic Smith to lead 25-22. The Auggies struck first in the fourth quarter, with Sheehan linking up with Josiah Ferguson for a 16-yard touchdown pass. The two-point conversion failed, giving Augsburg a 31-22 edge.

The Scots weren't done yet, as the Orange and Blue marched down the field 60 yards on 13 plays for the score, with Nadeau tossing a 15-yard touchdown pass to Desso. Nadeau also connected with Desso on a key 28-yard pass on third and 15 during the drive. Again the Auggies came back on their next drive, taking five minutes off the clock while scoring on a 9-yard touchdown run by Tre Lee to make the score 37-29 with just 1:37 remaining.

The Scots had all three timeouts and were starting at their own 31-yard line, but Kimbrough picked off Nadeau again on the first play of the drive, and Augsburg ran out the clock to seal the win.

Nadeau was 24-for-38 for 249 yards, two touchdowns and four interceptions. Desso caught 10 passes for 120 yards and two touchdowns, while Sohrabi rushed 15 times for 89 yards and a touchdown, averaging 5.9 yards per carry. On defense, junior defensive back Joshua Strickler (Chesapeake, Va./Grassfield) had 14 tackles and a sack, with senior linebacker Brady Thompson (New Brighton, Minn./De La Salle) registering 13 tackles. Sheehan threw for 262 yards and four touchdowns, while Thompson rushed for 125 yards to lead Augsburg.

Macalester plays at Bethel University on Saturday, Oct. 23 in another MIAC Skyline Division game. Kickoff is scheduled for at 1:00 p.m. in Arden Hills, Minn.

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