SAINT PAUL, Minn. - The University of Minnesota Morris Cougars took on the Hamline University Pipers in their second game of the season, falling 20-25 in a competitive match up. 

Hamline cracked opened the scoring for the game on their opening drive with a seven-yard rush down the middle with 10:29 on the clock. The Piper's attempt at a two point conversion was foiled by the Cougar defense, putting Hamline up 6 at the kickoff. In a drive that started at the UMM 33 and lasted four plays, Minnesota Morris was quick to answer back with a touchdown of their own. Izayah Boss tore down the field for a 41-yard TD. Logan Ahlers' extra point attempt was good, giving the Cougars a 7-6 lead. Hamline responded on their next drive, which lasted six minutes and ended in a fifteen-yard touchdown for the Pipers. Once again, Minnesota Morris took away the extra point from Hamline with a blocked kick attempt courtesy of Dylan Young. The quarter retired shortly after with a score of 7-12 in favor of the Pipers.

In comparison to the first quarter, the second quarter was quiet for scoring. Hamline stopped the Cougars first drive short, earning a turnover on downs with 12:30 on the clock. Minnesota Morris returned the favor, forcing the Pipers to punt and taking back possession of the ball at 10:19. After two more possessions for the Cougars and one for the Pipers, Minnesota Morris made a field goal attempt from the 23-yard line that fell short. As the time expired on the clock, the score remained 12-7 in favor of Hamline.

Minnesota Morris ended the scoring drought on their opening drive of the third quarter. Ethan Klimek passed the ball short 13-yards to Ethan Tang, putting the Cougars ahead at 13-12. The two-point conversion from Minnesota Morris was unsuccessful. The Cougar defense shook up the Piper offense with an interception from Nick Brandner broken up by Carter Maurice on the first play of the Hamline drive. With the ball back at 11:11, the Cougars were unable to get into scoring range, resulting in a turnover on downs. Two more possessions from Hamline and one from Minnesota Morris wielded no scoring. The Cougars remained up 13-12 at the close of the quarter. 

The fourth quarter opened with a second touchdown from Boss, this time resulting from a 65- yard rush down the field in a true feat of athleticism. Ahlers' kick attempt sailed through the uprights, and the Cougars widened the scoring gap 20-12. After a seven minute possession by Hamline, the Pipers rushed the ball across the goal line for six points. The Cougar defense took away the two point conversion, leaving Hamline short at 18-20 in favor of Minnesota Morris. The Cougars were unable to respond on their next drive, and the Pipers sealed the game with a final touchdown with 00:25 left on the clock. Unable to respond, the Cougars fell with a final score of 25-20. 

Klimek totaled 61 passing yards on the day while adding 41 rushing yards to his stats. Boss ended the day with a grand total of 257 rushing yards on 24 carries and tacked on two touchdowns. Tang led the receivers, hauling in three passes for 39 yards and a touchdown. 

Tayven Penninger and Chayce Meyer finished the day with seven tackles apiece, with six and five solo tackles respectively. Alex Emmrich was close on their heels, earning six solo tackles. Meyer and Dayton Allery both earned one sack. Brandner hauled in an interception.

Jaymeson Travis punted twice for 82 yards and kicked off four times for 233 yards. Jacob Miranda made four returns for a total of eighty yards. Ahlers was 2/2 on extra point attempts for the Cougars. 

Minnesota Morris Football is on the road again next weekend, taking on Carleton College on Sept. 21 at 2pm.