MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – The Carleton College football team held on through a furious second-half rally from the Augsburg University Auggies to win 24-19 on the road.
Head Coach
Tom Journell commented after the game. "What a tale of two halves...It's always great to win on the road in this conference. Really happy for our players and staff to rebound after last week and to solidify a non-losing season. That's our sixth in a row. We've now got Bethel next week and we can't wait to play those guys".
The last time Carleton (5-3, 5-2 MIAC) had six consecutive seasons at .500 or better was from 1985 through 1990.
Carleton (5-3, 5-2 MIAC) punted on its first drive, but on Augsburg's (2-6, 2-5 MIAC) first play from scrimmage, an interception by rookie linebacker
Kai Turner gave the Knights possession at the Auggie 35. The Knights had a touchdown run wiped out by a holding penalty and settled for a 20-yard field goal by
Matt Geivett to take a 3-0 lead at 9:45 in the opening quarter. After a few traded punts, Carleton got the ball into the red zone thanks to a strike from
Tyler Mastronardi to
Tyler Dimond that covered 49 yards. Soon after, Mastronardi found
Deon Bergner on a wheel route for a nine-yard touchdown and a 10-0 lead with 14:01 to go in the first half.
The defense forced a three-and-out from Augsburg, and a short punt gave Carleton excellent field position. After a 4-play, 48-yard drive, Mastronardi connected with
James Alexander for an 11-yard touchdown and a 17-0 Knights edge. Late in the half, another mishit punt allowed Carleton to start a drive at the Auggie 30, and the offense needed just four plays to hit paydirt, with Mastronardi turning a quarterback draw into an 8-yard touchdown run with 39 seconds to go in the second. That score sent the Knights into intermission up 24-0.
Augsburg spoiled the shutout on the opening drive of the second half. Turner picked off a pass for the second time, but the interception was nullified by a roughing the passer penalty. On the next play, Auggie quarterback Ahmias Hart hit Iggie Cooper for a 20-yard touchdown. A missed PAT made the score 24-6 with 11:05 left in the third quarter. The Auggies picked off the first pass of Carleton's next possession, and converted the turnover into points after 11 plays, 80 yards, and a 2-yard Hart rushing score. Carleton stopped Augsburg's 2-point attempt, making the tally 24-12 at 6:17 in the third.
The Augsburg comeback continued, as the Auggies followed a defensive stop with a 90-yard touchdown drive. Hart's touchdown pass from 10 yards out 46 seconds into the final quarter made the score 24-19, Carleton. Midway through the fourth, the Knights forced a turnover on downs at the Augsburg 30, but couldn't capitalize, throwing an interception in the end zone.
After a handful of scoreless drives, Augsburg got the ball back with 3:27 left. The hosts drove down to the 22-yard line and Hart lofted a 4
th-down pass to the right pylon to potentially take the lead. Rookie cornerback
Cordae Williams provided excellent coverage and knocked the ball away from the Auggie receiver to seal the game.
Mastronardi finished 15-for-22 through the air, throwing for 181 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions. Dimond brought in a career-high 13 catches for 167 yards, pushing him to fourth all-time in Carleton career receptions. That performance featured the most catches for a Knight since Ntense Obono reeled in 13 on Oct. 7, 2023, and over 3,000 receiving yards (3,057) on his career.
Ronan Thomas racked up nine tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and broke up a pass.
Dylan Asgarian also collected nine stops, adding a sack. Turner posted a sack to go along with his reception.
Up Next for the Knights
Carleton returns to Laird Stadium for its final home game, hosting Bethel University on Saturday, Nov. 7. Kickoff is scheduled for 12:00 p.m.
Carleton Career Receptions Leaders
1. 220 - Matt Frank (2005-08)
2. 214 - Ntense Obono (2021-2024)
3. 212 - Jim Bradford (1988-91)
4. 186 - Tyler Dimond (2022-pres.)
5. 182 - Steve Gorka (1994-97)
6. 181 - Emanual Williams (2016-19)
