Late rally falls short as Carleton prevails over Oles

Mike Ludwig
October 3, 2009

NORTHFIELD, Minn. - Carleton held off St. Olaf 17-13 in a MIAC football game on Saturday after the Oles all but erased a 17-0 fourth quarter deficit.

The Oles (3-2, 1-2 MIAC), who were held scoreless for the first three-plus quarters, scored twice inside the final six minutes and had the ball inside the Carleton 15-yard line in the final minute.

John Haberman's 4th-and-5 pass for Mike Shimshock fell to the ground to give Carleton back-to-back wins over St. Olaf after the Oles had won 11 straight from 1997-2007.

The drama inside the final minute was set up by two Antonio Jennings touchdowns receptions, the first from 40 and the second from 38.

The 38-yard strike with 3:47 left brought the Oles within four but kicker Josiah Powell's ensuing extra point attempt missed right. The miscue forced St. Olaf to play for the touchdown on the final drive, instead of going for a game-tying field goal.

The Oles' final drive marked the third time in the game St. Olaf turned the ball over on downs inside Carleton's 25-yard line. On the possession prior to the first Jennings score St. Olaf marched to the Carleton 11 but, down 17-0 with 7:28 left, the Oles opted to go for it and were denied.

Jennings finished the day with eight catches for 140 yards and the two scores. Haberman was 18-of-39 for 237 yards and two touchdowns. He threw a first half interception in Carleton territory when it appeared he slipped on the muddy track.

Carleton quarterback Vaughn Schmid rushed for 61 yards and a score and passed for 199 yards as a part of a 22-for-32 day passing. Schmid's touchdown run in the third quarter snapped a scoreless tie. The scoring tumble came three plays after he threw an interception that was nullified by a pass interference flag on the Oles.

St. Olaf held a slight advantage in total offense (345-328), but had two turnovers to the Knights' one.

St. Olaf will host league power Bethel next Saturday. The Royals lost a 14-0 lead and were defeated on a last-second field goal at Saint John's on Saturday.

Contact media relations specialist Mike Ludwig at (507) 786-3834 or ludwigm@stolaf.edu.