In the MIAC: St. John’s escapes

Brent Graboski caught a 14-yard pass from John Ries in overtime to give St. John’s a 28-21 victory over Concordia in their MIAC opener at Moorhead. Graboski also caught a 14-yarder from Ries with 12:16 remaining in the second quarter that broke a 7-7 tie.

Concordia (2-1 overall, 0-1 MIAC) came up a yard short of the goal line on its turn in overtime.

The teams traded touchdowns in the first quarter, with Stephen Johnson scoring from two yards out for St. John’s (2-1, 1-0) with 6:44 to go. Bronson Shepherd answered for Concordia, taking a 3-yard TD pass from Michael Dunham.

The Johnnies went into the halftime break leading 21-10. Bobby Fischer returned a pass interception 85 yards with 28 seconds to play for St. John’s, but Concordia’s Porfirio Diaz kicked the first of his two field goals, connecting from 32 yards with 3 seconds remaining.

Concordia tied it with 8:38 left in the fourth quarter on Brett Baune’s 26-yard run and a two-point conversion pass from Michael Dunham to Chris Gilson

Baune rushed for 152 yards on 27 carries, and Concordia outgained the Johnnies 449-342 while holding St. John’s scoreless in the second half.

St. Thomas is up next for Concordia next Saturday at Moorhead. St. John’s takes on Augsburg at home before traveling to St. Paul to play the Tommies on Oct. 1.

Bethel 27, Carleton 9

Quarterback Josh Aakre ran for two touchdowns and passed 26 yards to Alex Wright for a third score as No. 5 Bethel (3-0, 1-0) broke open the game in the second half to beat Carleton (0-2, 0-1) in Arden Hills. The score was 7-7 at halftime.

Carleton scored with 2:33 left in the first quarter on Mike Hartwell’s 21-yard pass to Chase Gottschalk. Bethel responded with a 13-play drive that Aakre capped with a 3-yard run with 11:29 to play in the first half.

Aakre ran one yard for a touchdown in the fourth quarter to make the score 20-7. Carleton posted a safety for two points, but the Royals added a 13-yard touchdown run by freshman Brandon Marquardt, ending a 10-play, 75-yard drive.

Bethel outrushed Carleton 244-84, but Carleton won the passing game with 142 yards to Bethel’s 50.

Bethel has a bye week, and then takes on St. Olaf on Oct. 1 at home. Carleton entertains Hamline next Saturday.

Augsburg 28, Hamline 20

Tyler Maxwell tied an Augsburg record with four rushing touchdowns in a victory at Hamline that gave the Augies “The Hammer” traveling trophy for another year.

Maxwell rushed 22 times for 173 yards, including a 32-yard score in the first quarter, a two-yarder in the second quarter, a 41-yarder in the third quarter and a 25-yarder in the fourth quarter.

He tied the record set by Marcus LeVesseur in 2004 against Carleton.

His 173 yards rushing were the most in a single game for Augsburg since LeVesseur rushed for 181 yards on a school-record 41 carries against St. Olaf in 2004.

Mayville (N.D.) State 9, Gustavus Adolphus 6

Quarterback Jake McLain hit Caleb Loy from the one-yard line on his only pass of the winning drive in the third quarter to give Mayville the nonconference victory that spoiled Gustavus Adolphus’ home opener. The touchdown came after Mayville (3-1) recorded a safety to make the score 6-2. After taking the free kick, Mayville drove 75 yards on 17 plays that ate 10 minutes off the clock. Gustavus (0-2) plays at St. Olaf next Saturday.