Box Score MORRIS, Minn. – For the third straight season the Hamline Pipers (1-0) handed Minnesota Morris (0-1) an opening day loss. The Pipers scored the first 31 points of the game on their way to a 37-6 win. The Cougars offense was held in check by a tough Hamline defense all night at Big Cat Stadium.
 
The Cougars had the ball first but were forced to punt to Hamline with 10:58 on the clock. The Pipers went on their first of back-to-back 12 play drives, going up 7-0 with 6:02 left in the first quarter. After the Cougars punted again, Hamline went 85 yards on 12 plays to make it 14-0 with 13:33 left in the half.
Six minutes later the Pipers extended their lead to 21 after a seven play drive encompassing 50 yards.
 
The Cougars forced a punt and then blocked it on the next Hamline drive.  They took over at the Hamline four yard line but fumbled on the first play of the drive giving the ball back. The Pipers took advantage and went 81 yards on 12 plays, making it 28-0 with forty seconds left in the half.
 
Morris drove down to the Hamline ten yard line with six seconds left but failed to score as Donnie Mavencamp was sacked to end the half.
 
Hamline had 164 yards rushing in the first half of play. Austin Duncan ran for 119 yards in the first half with one touchdown. The Cougars were held to just seven rushing yards on 15 attempts. The two teams combined to complete the first 20 passes of the game.
 
Hamline started the scoring in the second half, kicking a 29 yard field goal making it 31-0. Minnesota Morris got on the board on a pass play from Mavencamp to Tyler Peterson. Morris forced a three and out on the next Hamline drive but the Cougars were forced to do the same, giving the Pipers the ball back with 10:22 left in the game.
 
The two teams traded possession a few times but Hamline took the ball with eight minutes left on the clock and did not give it back. As time expired in the fourth quarter Hamline pushed across another touchdown, making the final score 37-6.
 
Minnesota Morris was held to 168 total yards in the game. Hamline racked up 271 yards on the ground, Duncan finished the game with 150 yards and a 7.9 yards per carry average.
 
Next up for the Cougars is home game with Greenville College next Saturday at noon.