NORTHFIELD, Minn. – After Carleton College rallied for the go-ahead touchdown with less than two minutes remaining, the Knights' defense came up with one final stop, breaking up a potential game-winning touchdown as time expired to give the Knights a 31-27 victory over Hamline University in the conference opener for both squads.
 
"I'm so proud of our effort, resiliency and togetherness," said Carleton head coach Tom Journell. "We hung in there and stuck together and made plays when we needed."

Carleton (3-0, 1-0 MIAC) began their first drive on their own 23-yard line, and marched down the field in just under three minutes. The Knights' first touchdown came on a five-yard reverse by Tyler Dimond, his sixth touchdown in three games.
 
Hamline (2-1, 0-1 MIAC) answered with a 79-yard scoring drive of its own ending with a 27-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Alejandro Villanueva to Charlie Wilson. A bad snap on the extra point kept Carleton in front, 7-6. That miscue would loom large later in the contest.
 
Early in the second quarter, the Knights put together a 79-yard scoring drive, which included consecutive passes from Jack Curtis to Nathan Streiff to get Carleton from midfield to inside the 10-yard line. A touch pass from Curtis to Ntense Obono gave Carleton the 14-6 advantage with 8:15 to go in the first half.
 
Sam Chutkow's second interception in as many games gave Carleton back the ball midway the period. The Knights advanced to the doorstep of the end zone, but this time Hamline's defense held and the Knights were forced to kick a field goal. Carleton led 17-6 heading into halftime.
 
Hamline scored on its first two possessions after intermission to move in front 20-17. Charlie Wilson hauled in a five-yard touchdown pass from Alejandro Villanueva on the first drive and the pair connected for a 75-yard score at the 3:54 mark of the period.
 
Carleton could not move the ball on its next possession, but Marcus Merkelbach pinned the Pipers' on their own one-yard line with a punt, and the Knights defense came up with three-and-out to get the home team back the ball in Hamline territory.
 
After three strong runs by Antonio Barrera, Curtis found Streiff on the right side of the end zone for a 20-yard touchdown pass, giving Carleton the lead 24-20 after Merkelbach's successful extra point.
 
Hamline responded with an eight-play, 75-yard drive capped by another Villanueva to Wilson touchdown pass, this one from 27 yards out. The Pipers and moved back in front, 27-24, with 11:17 left on the game clock.
 
Neither team scored on its next two possessions, with Luis Miranda coming up with a big fourth-down tackle to give Carleton the ball back with just under four minutes to go.
 
The Knights offense started clicking again, mixing in runs by Barrera and passes from Curtis to Obono, Streiff, and Rye Storrs. Barrera's first collegiate touchdown, a 1-yard plunge with 1:58 remaining pushed the Knights ahead, 31-27.
 
The Pipers appeared poised to answer, advancing all the way to the Knights' 15-yard line. The failed extra-point attempt earlier in the game meant Hamline needed a touchdown instead of a tying field goal. The first pass sailed well beyond the endzone, and on the game's final play, the Pipers tried to thread the ball to Wilson one more time at the back right pylon. Josiah Tusler knocked the ball away at the final second, sealing the win for Carleton.
 
The Knights' offense was led by a 290-yard passing effort by Curtis. Receivers Streiff, Dimond, and Obono finished with 128 yards, 77 yards, and 70 yards, respectively.
 
Carleton's defense was held together by 13 tackles from Doug Pham, 10 by Isaac Simons, and 9 by both CJ Richards and Henry Detmer.

Wilson had a huge day for the Pipers, hauling in 12 passes for a whopping 216 yards and all four of the Hamline touchdowns. Villanueva finished with 348 passing yards.
 
Up Next for the Knights
Carleton travels to Concordia College for a 1:00 p.m. kickoff in Moorhead, Minn. on Saturday, Sept. 30.