Duluth, Minn. – The Saint Scholastica football team traveled south to Northfield, Minn. to compete against the Oles of Saint Olaf College in a MIAC Conference game today, Saturday, Oct. 24. Today's contest ended with the Oles claiming victory in a heartbreaking fashion 44-41. 

How it Happened

First Quarter
After falling behind 10–0 midway through the opening quarter, the Saints' offense found its spark with an impressive 79-yard drive. Quarterback Donald West (St. Paul, MN/Woodbury HS) led the charge, connecting with Teagen Lubinski (Crookston, MN/Crookston HS) and Curtis Favors (St. Paul, MN/Tartan HS) to move the chains before Jevon Williams (Willmar, MN/Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City (ACGC)) punched in a two-yard touchdown run to make it 10–7.

Although St. Olaf added another score to close the quarter, the Saints' balanced offensive attack — combining quick passes and an efficient run game — began setting the tone for what would become a high-powered afternoon.

Second Quarter
The Saints dominated the second quarter with 24 unanswered points, taking full control before halftime. West started the rally with a five-yard touchdown run, tying the game at 14–14 after a methodical eight-play, 75-yard march.

Just minutes later, West struck again — this time through the air — finding Andrew Burgess for a 28-yard touchdown pass that gave St. Scholastica its first lead of the day. The Saints' defense followed with a key stop, setting up another scoring drive capped by Williams's second touchdown, an eight-yard rush through traffic to extend the lead to 28–17.

As time wound down in the half, kicker Jacob Andrews (Owatonna, MN/Medford HS) added a 30-yard field goal to make it 31–17 at the break, rewarding a near-perfect 24-point quarter.

Third Quarter
St. Olaf cut into the lead early in the third, but the Saints' offense responded immediately with another long drive. West continued his strong day with precise passing and timely runs, eventually connecting with Nathan Behrens (Watertown, MN/Watertown-Mayer HS) on a 10-yard touchdown strike to push the advantage to 38–24.

West finished with 284 passing yards and 301 total yards, spreading the ball across multiple targets — including five catches each from Williams and Lubinski — while the offensive line paved the way for 154 rushing yards.

Fourth Quarter
Early in the fourth, Andrews knocked through his second field goal of the game, a 19-yarder that stretched the Saints' lead to 41–34. The defense, led by Ashton Gross (Osceola, WI/Osceola HS) and Austin Mundt (Deer River, MN/Deer River HS), continued to fight, forcing key stops in the red zone.

St. Olaf tied the game with just over eight minutes remaining, but West and the Saints' offense answered again, driving deep into Oles territory behind clutch runs from Ethan Kilichowski (Esko, MN/Esko HS) and Christian Hoveland (Lake Elmo, MN/Stillwater HS). With under two minutes to play, the Saints were in scoring position before a fumble inside the 20 halted the drive. St. Olaf capitalized with a last-second field goal to edge ahead 44–41 as time expired.

What's Next
The Saints (2-4, 1-4 MIAC) will host the Pipers (1-6, 0-6 MIAC) in a MIAC Conference contest on Saturday, Nov. 1 at 1 P.M.