Auggies rush to 17-14 win over Gusties

MINNEAPOLIS -- Muneer Al-Hameed (SR, Woodbury, Minn./Minneapolis Washburn HS) rushed for 138 yards and a 73-yard touchdown, and Tyler Phillips (JR, Lino Lakes, Minn./Centennial HS) intercepted two passes, including a crucial interception in the fourth quarter, as Augsburg College claimed a 17-14 win over Gustavus Adolphus College in a Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference football game on Saturday afternoon at Edor Nelson Field.

Al-Hameed, a wide receiver who has moved to quarterback after Auggie starter Marcus Brumm (JR, Lakeville, Minn./Lakeville South HS) was lost for the season with an injury on Oct. 16, controlled the game on the ground for Augsburg (4-5 overall, 2-5 MIAC), which snapped a five-game losing streak. Al-Hameed rushed 20 times for 138 yards, including a 73-yard touchdown run in the second quarter, as he bounced off of several potential tacklers near the line of scrimmage before emerging to sprint down the sideline for the score.

Gustavus (3-6 overall, 2-5 MIAC) quarterback Logan Becker (JR, Easton, Minn.) also was in control of his offense, rushing 21 times for 88 yards and two touchdowns, while completing 15-of-23 passes for 137 yards. Jeffrey Dubose (FY, St. Paul, Minn.) rushed 18 times for 74 yards for the Gusties.

Phillips intercepted a Becker pass on the opening drive of the game at the Augsburg 15-yard line, stopping a 13-play Gustie drive. Phillips' second interception also stopped a potential Gustie scoring drive with 5:04 left in the game, picking off a pass in the end zone.

Normally a passing offense, Augsburg's attack has shifted since Brumms' injury. On Saturday, the Auggies rushed for 182 yards on 39 carries, while attempting just eight passes, completing four for 66 yards.

However, one of those passes produced the eventual game-winning score, as Al-Hameed completed a 19-yard scoring pass to Phil Putratz (FY, Mazeppa, Minn./Zumbrota-Mazeppa HS) with 12:55 left in the fourth quarter, giving the Auggies a 15-14 lead. Holder Chris Osborn (SO, Eagan, Minn.) executed a fake on the extra-point attempt, rushing for the two-point conversion.

Jack Christopherson (SR, Maple Grove, Minn./Osseo HS) also converted a career-long 41-yard field goal in the third quarter for the Auggies.

Becker scored both of Gustavus' touchdowns, rushing for a 26-yard score on a fourth-down-and-two play in the second quarter, and rushing for a 10-yard score late in the third quarter.

Augsburg's Bryce Vee (SO, Coon Rapids, Minn./Blaine HS) led all players with 14 tackles (five solo), while Adam Sonntag (SO, Green Lake, Wis.) had 13 tackles and Josh Collins (SR, Rosemount, Minn.) had 10 tackles. Nick Larson (SO, Lakeville, Minn./Apple Valley HS) and Tony Rickoff (JR, Winona, Minn.) had sacks for the Auggies.

Auggie linebacker Adam Mead (SR, St. Francis, Minn.) went over the 300 mark for career tackles with an eight tackle (one solo) effort, He now has 307 career tackles (130 solo).

For the Gusties, Paul Stommes (SR, Richmond, Minn.) led the way with 12 tackles, while Zach Lundquist (SR, Pelican Rapids, Minn.) had nine tackles (two solo) and a sack. Jason Cook (JR, Lakefield, Minn.) had an interception for Gustavus.

Both teams close their seasons next Saturday (11/13) at 1 p.m., with Augsburg playing at Bethel and Gustavus hosting Carleton.