MANKATO – The Albert Lea Tigers figured they matched up pretty well with the Mankato East Cougars.

Sunday, September 19, 1999

MANKATO – The Albert Lea Tigers figured they matched up pretty well with the Mankato East Cougars. Then they were reminded of a fundamental football rule: If you make too many mistakes, you won’t match up well with anyone.

Turnovers and penalties hampered the Tigers Friday night as Albert Lea remained winless with a 38-0 loss at Mankato East.

The first half essentially told the story. The Cougars outgained the Tigers 149-28 in total yards while taking a 28-0 lead, capitalizing on two Tiger turnovers and six Albert Lea penalties for 55 yards.

Mankato East wasted little time making it 14-0 with a pair of first-quarter touchdown passes, the second of which followed an Albert Lea fumble.

Another Albert Lea fumble set up another Cougar touchdown pass, making it 22-0 in the second quarter.

After a short Tiger punt, East needed only one play to cover 34 yards and take a 28-0 advantage.

The Cougars were driving for more points late in the first half but were stopped by a Chris Stanek interception in the end zone.

East added a touchdown and a field goal in the third quarter.

The Tigers’ best scoring chance came late in the third, when a 49-yard run by Scott Tuchtenhagen put them on the Cougars’ 11-yard line. But they came away empty when a fourth-down field goal try by Paul Olsen sailed wide.

The Tigers totaled 96 yards of offense, 80 rushing and 16 passing as Nick Cunningham was 4-for-10.

Tuchtenhagen totaled 57 yards rushing on four carries. Bryce Williams had 24 yards on four carries before leaving the game with an injury. Blaine Swenson ran for 12 yards on 10 attempts. Phil Wacholz had one pass reception for 11 yards.

Mankato East ran for 279 yards and totaled 312. The Cougars completed five of 10 passes.

Albert Lea had six first downs to 12 for Mankato East. The Tigers were penalized eight times for 65 yards. East, the most penalized team in the conference entering the game, had only three penalties for 35 yards.

Williams wasn’t the only Tiger injured in the game. Lineman Adam Lares was taken to the hospital for X-rays and returned to the sidelines in a walking cast.

The Tigers, 0-3, host Rochester Century for homecoming this Friday. The Tigers’ lone victory last year was at Century, though the Panthers picked up their first Big Nine win Friday with a 16-7 upset of Rochester Mayo.