The Austin Packers dropped to 0-3 overall and in the Big Nine Conference as Mankato East hosted Austin to a 32-15 football defeat Friday night.

The Packers' lack of depth and numbers caught up to them as East (2-1) rallied for three third-quarter touchdowns and to that point a 26-0 lead. AHS came back to score two touchdowns on consecutive possessions in the fourth quarter, but time ran out on the winless Packers.

"The game wore on our personnel, and basically they had a fresh group of individuals coming at us in the second half," said Austin coach Steve Knox. "The players never gave up. They continued to fight and knew that there was still a chance."

Austin played the entire game without starting end Matt Ball, who sustained an undisclosed injury earlier in the week. Riley Brolsma, a three-year start on the line, fell ill at halftime and did not return.

"Injuries were somewhat a factor," Coach Knox said. "Overall I was very pleased the way the defense played in the first half, and offensively we were able to score in the second half."

The 15 fourth-quarter points were the first Austin had scored in the second half this season. But thanks to Mankato East's 20-point outburst in the third quarter the Packers' efforts were not enough.

"Offensively we didn't really do a whole lot in the first half," Knox said. "We weren't able to sustain a true drive. We made some changes at halftime, but basically (Craig Dahl) did a great job with the option and they scored some touchdowns that way."

East's heralded quarterback was limited to 34 yards in the first half, but he finished with 84 yards and two touchdowns as the Cougars took the victory.

Austin's rally in the fourth quarter was driven by quarterback Tucker Schieck, who played the final 1 1/2 quarters as the signalcaller. Starter Mark Cavanaugh was busy barreling around on the defensive side of the ball, and Schieck provided a spark.

Fullback Mike Gravelle scored Austin's first touchdown on a 19-yard run, capping a 31-yard drive that was set up by Derek Hall's fumble recovery.

Schieck hit tailback Ray Bissen for a 42-yard reception -- Austin's only pass completion -- to set up Schieck's 3-yard touchdown run with less than one minute left in the fourth quarter.

The Packers got the ball back again before stalling out the final drive as time expired.

"We were knocking on the door," Coach Knox said.

Austin (0-3) hosts Owatonna (1-2) this week in Big Nine Conference action.