ST. PAUL, Minn. --- Crown College Football fell to the Hamline University Pipers 54-38 after record days for Jared Gilmore and Cole Mistretta. Gilmore set the passing yards record and passing attempts record as he aired it out for 456 yards and five touchdowns. Mistretta set the all-purpose yards record (268), receiving yards record (254), and receptions record (14). As advertised, new Head Coach Anthony Franz's/new Offensive Coordinator Chris Womack's offense can produce through the passing attack. 

Unfortunately, despite the competitive score, the game was a comeback from the start for the Storm. Down 40-0 in the first half, Gilmore found Mistretta for a nine-yard score to eliminate the Piper shutout. After that, Maddox Lawien scored on another Gilmore pass for a 25-yard touchdown to enter halftime down 40-14.

The score stood pat from there, staying 40-14 through the third quarter. Mistretta broke the drought by scoring on a 70-yard touchdown pass from Gilmore early in the fourth quarter. After that, Josh Wallace (making his collegiate debut) scored on a 30-yard reception, and Ryan Swecker scored on a two-year yard reception to reach the final score of 54-38.

Joining leaders Gilmore and Mistretta, Josh Wallace led the rushing attack with 20 yards. Returning all-conference running back Avory Caruthers had 56 yards through the passing game to be the second-leading receiver. Defensively, Ugo Egwim led the Storm with ten tackles from the defensive line. Isaac Herron led the team with 1.5 tackles for loss and had an interception and blocked kick. Noe Urrea had the Storm's lone sack in the contest. 

The Storm will have a short break before hosting the Carleton Knights on Saturday, September 18, for their first home game since 2019.