Saturday, September 7, 2002 marked the beginning of a new era for the Macalester football team. Last November, it was decided that the Scots would no longer play a MIAC (Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) schedule, facing off against Division III powerhouses like St. John's, but would instead play a ten week independent schedule against teams whose rosters looked much more like their own. Macalester opened this new era against Beloit (WI). Unfortunately, after a promising pre-season, which included a solid performance in a scrimmage against St. Olaf, the Scots lost a nail-bitter 19–14.

The game began with a few costly Scots mistakes, which forced them to play catch-up for the rest of the contest. On their third play from scrimmage, Beloit running back Damian Harrell broke through the line and scampered 53 yards to the endzone. After playing only one minute and 28 seconds, the Scots found themselves down 7–0.

Macalester received the kickoff and were poised on their own 33 yard-line to begin their first offensive series. Events continued to take a turn for the worse, however, as quarterback Adam Denny's '04 first pass attempt was picked off by Beloit's Devin Brewer. The Buccaneers were able to capitalize on the Scots' error and put another six points on the board on a Harrell 4-yard run.

Macalester got the ball back at midfield and began driving. Running back Matt Munson '04 had three consecutive runs for 12, 11 and two yards before the passing game got rolling. Denny completed a 12-yard pass to receiver Adam Johnson '03 and a nine-yard pass to receiver Adam Heathcote '04, which brought the Scots to the Bunccaneer's one-yard line. Munson punched the ball into the endzone to put the Scots on the board at the end of the first quarter. Both teams went scoreless in the second quarter and the Scots went to the locker room down 13–7.

The two teams traded short drives for the first half of the third quarter before the Buccaneers again capitalized on a Denny interception. After returning the pick to the Macalester 14-yard line, the Buccaneers took only two plays to put the ball into the endzone again on another Harrell 4-yard run. The Scots were down by two scores once again as the third quarter ended.

The beginning of the fourth quarter saw a change of events for the Scots. After a few short runs by Munson, Denny hit receiver Jared Hillman '06 for an 11-yard gain and a Scots first down. After another short run by back Ben Dickinson '03, Denny hit running back David Krueger '04 for 11 yards and a first down at the Beloit seven-yard line. Dickinson took the ball on the next play and darted into the endzone. After the successful kick, the Scots were within five points with more than 13 minutes left in the contest. Unfortunately, the Scots were not able to put up anymore points on the scoreboard and the contest ended with Beloit on top, 19–14.

Nick Kraemer '03 had a big day from his linebacking position, leading the Scot defense with six solo tackles and 10 assisted stops. Safety Gray Herzberg '04 made six solo tackles and returned a second half interception 29 yards.

The Scots go for their first win when they host Trinity Bible (N.D.) tomorrow at 7 p.m.