(Photo courtesy of David Faulkner, SPX Sports)
SAINT PETER, Minn. – The Gustavus football team will wrap up its season Saturday as they host St. Olaf for a 1 p.m. contest. The Gusties enter the contest 6-3 overall and 4-3 in the MIAC while the Oles are 5-4 overall and 3-4 in the conference.
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Senior Sendoff
As is tradition during the final home game of the season, 23 seniors will be honored as part of Senior Day at Hollingsworth Field Saturday. The Gustavus Adolphus College Department of Athletics would like to send a sincere thank you to this group of young men for their leadership both on and off the field the past four years. The seniors honored prior to kickoff include Avery Bachman (Saint Peter), Jake Boykin (Las Cruces, N.M.), Davis Delaram (Apple Valley), Zeke Erickson (Clarks Grove), Brayton Finch (Mount Morris, Ill.), Oliver Frempong (Accra, Ghana), Ben Gilman (Lake Crystal), Kolt Gorg (Blue Earth), Jordan Grovum (Cottage Grove), Nick Jacques (Orono), Josh Kirk (Garvin), John Krohn (Richfield), Jake Krull (Plymouth), Jake Lamb (Saint Peter), Taylor MacDonald (Wayzata), Clifford McDonald (El Paso, Texas), Matthew Montplaisir (Buffalo), Brice Panning (Hamburg), Trevor Sanders (Dexter, N.M.), Blake Sikes (Valrico, Fla.), Michael Veldman (Becker), Robert Walker-Moreno (El Paso, Texas), and Seamus Wilson (Eagan).
Scouting the Gusties
A four-game win streak came to an end last Saturday as Gustavus battled St. Thomas in a hard-fought game but came up short, losing 57-36 in Saint Paul. The Gusties and Tommies traded scores in the early going and were tied 14-14 midway through the second quarter before the Tommies scored 15 unanswered points for a 29-14 lead at the break. After trailing by 22 in the third quarter, the Gusties rallied to bring the score to 43-36, but St. Thomas scored twice late to secure the victory.
Through nine games, the Gusties average 44.3 points per game, which is second in the MIAC, to go along with 459.7 yards of total offense. Defensively, the Gusties give up 31.0 points per game, while allowing 352.3 yards. The Gustavus offense is efficient in moving the chains this season, leading the conference in first downs per game (24.7) and has notched a MIAC-high third down conversion rate of 59 percent.
Michael Veldman (Sr., Becker) continues to post big numbers through the air. He is the only quarterback in the nation to throw for at least three touchdowns in each of his team’s games this season. Through nine contests he is 194-of-283 for 2,910 yards and 33 touchdowns. Brice Panning (Sr., Hamburg) has 64 catches for 1,044 yards and 16 touchdowns, which is one score off the program record and currently ranks fourth in the nation. Josh Kirk (Sr., Garvin) has caught 53 passes for 1,059 yards and eight touchdowns, making it the second time in school history the Gusties have had two 1,000-plus yard receivers in the same season. David Peal (So., Worcester, Mass.) anchors the Gustavus rushing attack, carrying the ball 109 times for 569 yards and 11 scores.
Jake Boykin (Sr., Las Cruces, N.M.) leads the defense with 51 tackles, including 1.5 for loss. Zach Jakes (So., Mankato) and Austin Fest (Jr., West Des Moines, Iowa) have both put together solid seasons with each recording 48 tackles. Jakes has added a team-high 6.5 tackles for loss, while Fest has two interceptions and a fumble recovery.
Scouting the Oles
After starting the season 5-0 the Oles have lost their last four contests, most recently falling to Concordia 14-0 last Saturday. The Cobbers used a ground attack to take down St. Olaf, rushing 61 times for 270 yards and a pair of scores, while not completing a pass.
Through nine games, the Oles average 25.0 points and 320.9 yards of offense per game. On the defensive side, St. Olaf allows 29.0 points per game, while allowing 423.3 yards. The Oles also bring a strong kicking aspect to their game, making seven field goals this season to lead the MIAC.
The Oles rely on a balanced offensive attack, passing for 1,434 yards and rushing for 1,454 through nine games. Khayleb Willis leads the ground game, boasting 149 carries for 753 yards and six touchdowns. Lars Prestemon is solid under center, completing 93-of-181 passes this year for 1,386 yards and 13 touchdowns. The Oles have three receivers with 20-plus catches and 400 yards apiece, with Gabe Alada leading the trio with 427 yards and four touchdowns on 23 catches. Isaac Coutier has 28 catches for 424 yards and four touchdowns, and Gonzalo Pirela has 29 receptions for 409 yards and three scores.
Defensively, the Oles are led by Brandon Foster, who is fifth in the MIAC with 75 tackles on the year, and leads the team with 8.5 tackles for loss and two forced fumbles. Shiloh Goodwin is the team’s second leading tackler with 46, while Payton Schott leads the secondary with 39 stops to go along with a team-high two interceptions.