Nathan Graham 6 catches, 112 yds, 2 TD's
Last season the Tigers averaged just over 11 points a game and finished 1-8, their worst record since 1983.
Those numbers seemed like ancient history at halftime of Friday night's 2011 opener at Mayo Stadium in Rochester where coach Mark Froehling's team was sitting on a 21-7 lead over the Spartans.
But Mayo had the final say, rallying for four second half touchdowns and a 35-28 non-conference victory over its Section 1AAAAA rival.
"There were a lot of positives for a young team playing its first game under the lights," coach Mark Froehling said. "We were able to move the ball offensively, especially passing, and our special teams play was very good.
"Our running game has to improve so we can keep the defense from being on the field so long. We have to do a better job of controlling the clock."
The Tigers used the strong and accurate arm of junior quarterback Darren Beenken to forge a 21-7 halftime lead. Beenken connected on eight of 11 of his first half throws for 171 yards and three touchdowns.
Nathan Graham scored twice on plays of six and 91 yards and Jake Baskerville found the end-zone on a 38-yard pass-and run.
Farmington went three plays-and-out on the opening possession of the second half to set up 28 straight Spartan points. Mayo scored the go-ahead touchdown early in the fourth quarter after a Tiger fumble at the Farmington 32-yard line.
"We gave up some big third and fourth down plays in the second half," defensive coordinator Gary Burr said. "Part of it may have been due to fatigue. The defense was on the field a lot."
Trailing 35-21 with under a minute and a half to play, Beenken engineered a three-play, 56-yard scoring drive to cut the deficit to a touchdown with 30 seconds remaining. Austin Bassett scored the touchdown on an eight-yard throw from Beenken.
Beenken had a career night, completing 16 of 22 passes for 225 yards and four touchdowns. The junior signal caller also rushed for 32 yards on 12 carries. Athen Ashton led the Tigers in rushing with 36 yards on 10 attempts.
Six different players recorded receptions led by Graham who hauled in six for 112 yards and two scores. Austin Bassett (21 yards) and Dillon Jones (16 yards) each had three catches.
Sophomore placekicker Reid Taubenheim had a perfect varsity debut, converting all four extra-point attempts.
Linebacker Ryan Schoening topped the Tiger tackling charts with nine stops. Blake Weinand recorded eight, Mason Auge seven and Alex Chadwick and Andrew Peterson six apiece. Peterson had a fumble recovery and Denver Robinson registereed a quarterback sack.
The Tigers open Missota Conference play Friday night, Sept. 9, at Red Wing, a team that went winless in league play last fall.
"They won their first game (over Austin) and they always play hard," Froehling said. "We'll have to be ready to play."
