NORTHFIELD, Minn. – After a hiatus of 20 years, the Macalester College football team made its return to the MIAC with a 40-27 loss at St. Olaf Saturday afternoon at Klein Field. The Scots, who last played a MIAC football game on November 10, 2001 against Hamline, are now 1-2 on the season. The Oles improve to 2-1 with the win.

The milestone game started well for Macalester, as St. Olaf turned the ball over on its first possession when the punter fumbled the snap. Sophomore Nick Bice (Fort Dodge, Iowa/Fort Dodge) recovered the ball on the Oles' 19-yard line. On the first play following the turnover, sophomore Michael Poker (Brookfield, Wis./Brookfield East) scored on a 19-yard end-around run for a quick 7-0 Macalester lead.

St. Olaf tied the score late in the first quarter on a 38-yard touchdown pass from Lars Prestemon to Gabe Alada. Macalester responded with a drive that initially stalled at the St. Olaf 8-yard line, but a roughing the kicker penalty on the ensuing field goal attempt extended the drive. Junior quarterback Michael Nadeau (Garden Grove, Calif./La Quinta) found the end zone on a keeper up the middle to put the Scots back on top, 14-7.

Later in the second quarter, the Oles scored a pair of touchdowns in eight minutes to take control, 21-14. With less than three minutes before halftime, St. Olaf forced a three-and-out on Macalester's next possession. The punt by senior Jon Neve (Minnestrista, Minn./Mound Westonka) was dropped by Nick Sabatino and recovered by the Scots at the Oles' 33-yard line. Again Macalester took advantage of the short field, scoring on a 20-yard pass from Nadeau to sophomore Logan Pampel (Johnson Creek, Wis./Lakeside Lutheran School) to tie the score at 21-21.  St. Olaf quickly moved the ball into Macalester territory, getting to the 37-yard line with two seconds left. On the next play, an interception in the end zone by Poker was called back by a roughing the passer penalty. Collin Swan connected on a 39-yard field goal with no time on the clock to put St. Olaf on top, 24-21 at the half.

The Oles dominated the third quarter, getting a safety and two touchdowns to take a commanding 40-21 lead. Following Jordan Embry's 66-yard touchdown run, Macalester put together a long drive, moving the ball to the St. Olaf 3-yard line. Senior Kian Sohrabi (Dubai, UAE/American School of Dubai) rushed for two yards to the 1-yard line, then Nadeau was stopped at the line of scrimmage at 3rd-and-1. The Scots decided to go for it, but Nadeau was stopped short of the goal line again, turning the ball over on downs.

Macalester was able to score late in the fourth quarter on a 26-yard pass from Nadeau to Bice.

Nadeau was 22-of-36 for 222 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. He was sacked three times. Senior Rex Desso (Evergreen, Colo./Lakewood) caught seven passes for 72 yards, while Pampel caught seven passes for 62 yards and a touchdown. Senior Kai Akimoto (Tamuning, Guam/Father Duenas Memorial School) rushed eight times for 36 yards. On defense, senior Nathan Gottlieb (Torrance, Calif./Torrance) and sophomore Xavier Pittman (Spring, Texas/Spring) each had 11 tackles, with Pittman registering two sacks. Senior Brady Thompson (New Brighton, Minn./De La Salle) also had a sack to go with nine tackles. Embry finished with 182 yards rushing and two touchdowns on 28 carries for St. Olaf.

Macalester plays another conference crossover game next week, as Carleton visits Macalester Stadium to battle for the Book of Knowledge. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.

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