Box Score ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Macalester College football team closed out the 2021 season with a 48-45 loss to Carleton as a part of MIAC Championship Week Saturday afternoon at Macalester Stadium. The Scots end the season with a 3-7 record, while the Knights improve to 7-3.

Macalester set three school records in the game, as junior quarterback Michael Nadeau (Garden Grove, Calif./La Quinta) threw for 452 yards to break both the team and individual school records for passing yards in a game. Senior receiver Rex Desso (Evergreen, Colo./Lakewood) caught 16 passes for 243 yards to break the school record for receiving yards in a game.

Desso and Nadeau connected touchdown passes of 29 and 32 yards in the first quarter, which ended with the Scots leading 14-13. The Knights scored a pair of touchdowns in the second quarter, while Macalester put 10 points on the board with a 35-yard field goal by senior kicker Jon Neve (Minnetrista, Minn./Mound Westonka) and an 8-yard touchdown pass from Nadeau to sophomore tight end Nick Bice (Fort Dodge, Iowa/Fort Dodge) to make the halftime score 27-23 Knights.

After Carleton scored on its first possession of the second half to lead 34-23, the Scots responded with two consecutive touchdowns to lead 35-34 at the end of the third quarter. Senior receiver Ty Bruckner (Wichita, Kan./Wichita North) caught an 8-yard touchdown pass, then sophomore running back Logan Pampel (Johnson Creek, Wis./Lakeside Lutheran School) ran for a 2-yard score to ap a 64-yard drive.

In the fourth quarter, Carleton found the end zone on their first possession to regain the lead, 42-35. Macalester was forced to punt on its next possession, but senior defensive back Tim Minot (Beverly, Mass./Milton Academy) intercepted a pass at the Carleton 29-yard line. The Scots stalled at the 15, as Neve kicked a 32-yard field goal to make the score 42-38. Macalester forced a fumble on the Knights' next drive, but an interception gave the ball back to Carleton, who scored a touchdown to lead 48-38 with just 1:27 remaining. Nadeau moved the Scots down the field quickly, eventually hitting Bruckner with a 25-yard touchdown pass with 37 seconds left. But Carleton recovered the onside kick and ran out the clock to secure the win.

Nadeau was 34-of-51 for 452 yards, five touchdowns and two interceptions. Desso caught 16 passes for 243 yards and two touchdowns, while Bruckner finished with six catches for 96 yards and two touchdowns. Pampel ran for 47 yards and caught five passes for 40 yards. On defense, senior defensive back Pierce Lundt (Santa Barbara, Calif./Cate School) made 12 tackles, while sophomore Noah Bresson (Homosassa, Fla./Crystal River) made eight tackles. Aiden Chang ran for 111 yards and Jonathan Singleton threw for 287 yards and four touchdowns to lead Carleton.

Before the game, Macalester honored its 11 graduating seniors as a part of Senior Day festivities.

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