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The real story of this game was Hamline’s stout defense. For the second week in a row, the Pipers had an imposing defensive performance, which paved the way for the win. This season, the run defense has
been nothing short of dominant, allowing a 46 yards on 62 carries over two games (0.7 yards per carry). Compare this to the Pipers’ offensive rushing yards per carry (4.4).

“Defense has been the strength of the football team up to this point. They play hard and with discipline. The staff has done great with a new scheme and instituting the fundamentals,” Miller said.

This all comes with warm welcome to a program which has failed to produce a winning season since 1995 (under then head coach Dick Tressel). Coach Miller has already instituted new offensive and defensive systems. The Pipers’ offense has made the transition from a run-oriented offense to a spread offense, while the defense is switching from a Virginia Tech 4-2 technique to a 3-4 look. These changes have yielded very positive results thus far.

After the third quarter Seymour to Anderson connection, the Piper defense prevented the Gusties from scoring again. The entire defensive unit compiling five sacks, two interceptions and a forced fumble.

Linebackers effectively swarmed to the ball and played the pass very well. The defensive backs made nearly every catch a difficult one, and on a few occasions blanketed receivers long enough for the linemen to produce sacks.

However, the most important aspect of the defense’s performance was its ability to prevent third down conversions and eliminate big plays.

“The coaches have put a lot of focus on the third downs. It has become a big area of focus” said Miller.
“They have done a great job of executing the results have shown that.”

The Gusties were held to converting only 4 of 19 third down. In addition, the Pipers kept the Gusties out of the endzone, despite the Gustavus making it into Hamline territory on a handful of occasions.

Saturday’s win puts Hamline in good position to keep this run going.

Look for Hamline to try to improve the fluidity of their passing game, the consistency of their running game, and to convert more third downs on offense (they are 6 to 31). The Pipers must also solidify their special teams unit, which alternated between greatness and confusion Saturday: blocking a Gustie punt, pinning the Gusties inside their own five yard line on a punt, but muffing two punts of their own.

If those aspects improve, the Pipers continue their great defensive play, and persist in controlling the trenches, this could be the beginning of a solid season. Things are indeed looking up.

“We are in a position, program wise, to beat any one on our schedule, but anyone on our schedule could potentially beat us. You have to approach it with the weak components in mind and keep your focus on ‘this week’.”