MANKATO — The Austin offense was stopped in its tracks in a 27-0 loss at Mankato West Friday.

The Packers (3-2 overall, 2-2 Big Nine) had just 126 yards of total offense, they had three turnovers and they didn’t reach Mankato West territory until late in the third quarter.

“We didn’t win the line of scrimmage on our offensive side of the ball. They took it to us, and that was really disappointing because I thought we prepared better for them,” Austin head coach Tim Hermann said. “Our line just didn’t function well and I don’t think we threw the ball as well as we needed to and that put everybody in the box. We knew how they were going to come out and it wasn’t any surprise.”

Austin running back Jerrad Ryks was held to 53 yards on 21 carries, the first time he was held below the century mark this season.

The Scarlets (5-0 overall, 4-0 Big Nine) didn’t waste much time getting on the board as they started with the ball on Austin’s 20-yard line after a short punt from the Pack. After converting a third down and nine when quarterback Phillip Nelson scrambled for 10 yards, Nelson hooked up with Nick Kaus for an eight-yard TD pass on third and goal.

From that point, the Packers defense stepped it up, coming up with stops on West’s next three possessions. But a major breakdown helped the Scarlets get back on track. Facing a fourth and 10 at the Austin 25-yard line, Kaus sprinted past the Austin secondary to catch a 25-yard scoring strike from Nelson to make it 13-0.

“Defensively we did some things that were good, but we blew a coverage on that fourth down play,” Hermann said.

West went up 20-0 at the half when they drove 61 yards in just under four minutes for another score.

The Packer defense had four sacks — Mitch Morem had two — and they compiled six tackles for loss, but the Scarlets, who wo state last year and are ranked No. 1 in Class 4A this season, started in Austin territory five times.

“It’s a team game, you can’t just rely on the defense, the offense or specials to do it,” Hermann said. “We’ve all got to do it. We weren’t firing on all cylinders and that hurt the defense, which was playing pretty well. We disguised things and we put some pressure on them.”

“He’s out four to eight weeks depending on who you talk to,” Hermann said. “We’ve had three different evaluations.”

Austin played the game without wide receiver/defensive back/punter Jamaal Gibson, who broke a bone in his hand.

Austin stats

Rushing: T.J. Fritz, 13-for-57; Jerrad Ryks, 21-for-53; Blas Estrada, 1-for-(-1)

Passing: Fritz, 2-for-9, 17, 3 INT

Receiving: Jay Ettinger, 1-for-9; Max Coffey, 1-for-8

Sacks: Mitch Morem (2), Keith Crape, Andrew Wagnen

Penalties: 5-for-30

Mankato West stats

Rushing: Andy Pfeiffer, 17-for-86, TD; Phillip Nelson, 13-for-12; Kyle Larson, 1-for-6; Blake Hockert, 4-for(-5)

Passing: Nelson, 9-for-18, 102, 3 TD

Receiving: Nick Kaus, 5-for-58, 3 TD; Pfeiffer, 3-for-21; Jonny Paulsen, 1-for-9; Des Spann, 1-for-1

Interceptions: Jimmy Vosburg, Drew Weber, Kade Wasinger

Penalties: 5-for-15

SCORING SUMMARY

First quarter

(MW) 8:43 Nick Kaus 8 pass from Phillip Nelson (Ken Ouren kick) (6 plays, 20 yards)

Second quarter

(MW) 6:43 Kaus 25 pass from Nelson (4 plays, 25 yards)

(MW) :13 Kaus 6 pass from Nelson (Ouren kick) (13 plays, 61 yards)

Third quarter

No scoring

Fourth quarter

(MW) 8:10 Andy Pfeiffer 1 run (Ouren kick) (8 plays, 70 yards)