Second half struggles catch up to Packer football team in loss to Mayo
Published 11:46 pm Friday, August 29, 2014

Austin running back Brandon Edgar tries to escape the grasp of Rochester Mayo’s Brody Heinzel on a run in the second quarter Friday night at Art Hass Stadium. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
The Packer football team had plenty of fireworks on offense in the first half, but they couldn’t keep things going as they dropped their season opener to Rochester Mayo 48-34 in Art Hass Stadium Friday.
Austin scored touchdowns on four of its six first half possessions to take a 28-27 lead into half-time, but it didn’t score any offensive touchdowns in the second half as the Spartans (1-0 overall, 1-0 Big Nine) took control of the game.

Austin quarterback Nate Conner looks to throw on the run during the second quarter against Rochester Mayo Friday night at Art Hass Stadium. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
“We just didn’t come out to play in the second half and I’m not sure why,” Austin head coach Brett Vesel said. “We knew [Mayo] would go hard.”
The Spartans scored on their first two possessions of the second half to go up 41-28 and Austin couldn’t get any closer as it didn’t get any first downs in the third quarter. The Packers were in full force in the first half as Nate Conner ran for most of his 128 yards and both of his TDs in the first frame. He also threw a 47-yard TD pass to Connor Sheehan.
But as the rains picked up, the Packer passing game became ineffective in the second half.
“I feel pretty confident at quarterback,” Conner said. “I can throw a wet ball, I just can’t throw a ball covered in mud. We need to be able to pass to set up the run.”
Austin running back Brandon Edgar added 111 yards on the ground, but Austin couldn’t do much through the air.
Defensively, the Packers (0-1 overall, 0-1 Big Nine) couldn’t avoid Mayo’s big play offense. Mayo’s Greg Henry scampered for a 35-yard TD run to make it 7-0 on a fourth and three, Mayo’s Michael Michalak hauled in a 44-yard TD pass to make it 14-7 after the Spartans had converted a third and 20 and Michalak hauled in a 67-yard TD pass to make 48-28 Mayo early in the fourth quarter.

Austin’s Kole Igou wraps up Rochester Mayo’s Greg Henry during the first quarter Friday night at Art Hass Stadium. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
“We just have a really young squad. We need to play as a unit and play faster,” Austin senior Connor Sheehan said.
SCORING SUMMARY
Mayo 14 13 14 7 — 48
Austin 14 14 0 6 — 34
First quarter
(M) Greg Henry 35 run (Cary kick) (6 plays, 71 yards) 9:13
(A) Kole Igou 29 run (Grinstead kick) (8 plays, 85 yards) 5:46
(M) Michael Michalak 44 pass from Jay Alston (Cary kick) (4 plays, 65 yards) 3:28
(A) Nate Conner 9 run (Grinstead kick) (7 plays, 46 yards) 1:19
Second quarter
(M) Henry 8 run (kick failed) 7 plays, 68 yards) 9:14
(A) Connor Sheehan 47 pass from Conner (Grinstead kick) (2 plays, 65 yards) 8:30
(M) Brody Heinze 70 run (Cary kick) (1 play, 70 yards) 8:17
(A) Conner 1 run (Grinstead kick) (6 plays, 50 yards) :05

Austin’s Zach Coffey, left, celebrates with teammates after a tackle against Rochester Mayo Friday night at Art Hass Stadium. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Third quarter
(M) Henry 4 run (kick failed) 7:51
(M) Alston 2 run (Henry run) 6:06
Fourth quarter
(M) Michalak 67 pass from Alston (Cary kick) (3 plays, 69 yards) 11:47
(A) Sheehan 90 return (kick blocked) (1 play, 90 yards) 11:32
AUSTIN STATS
Rushing: Nate Conner, 28-for-128, 2 TD; Brandon Edgar, 17-for-111; Kole Igou, 2-for-29, TD; passing: Conner, 3-for-14, 61, TD; receiving: Connor Sheehan, 1-for-47, TD; Zach Coffey, 1-for-8; Jason Stoulil, 1-for-7; sacks: Santiago Tomas-Nicolas (1); Zach Coffey (1); interceptions: Elijah Anderson (1)