Gustavus stormed out to a 24-0 lead and held on for a 24-14 victory at Carleton College in Northfield on Saturday.
The Gusties scored three touchdowns and a field goal on their first five drives of the game to take a 24-0 lead with less than two minutes to go in the second quarter. Carleton got a field goal as time expired right before halftime cut the Gustavus lead to 21. The Knights got a field goal and a touchdown in the third quarter to pull within 24-14, but could not get any closer despite the Gustavus offense’s inability to put any second half points on the scoreboard.
Gustavus quarterback Sean Smith had only two of his 28 passes on the day hit the ground. Twenty-three of his attempts were completed to Gusties and three were intercepted by the Knights. Tight end Nick Teigland was Smith’s favorite target. Teigland had five catches for 69 yards, including two touchdowns.
Carleton out-gained Gustavus on the ground 184 to 165 yards, thanks largely in part to Erik Fischer who carried 19 times for 161 yards. Leading the Gusties rushing the ball was Drew Stifter who carried 19 times for 97 yards.
Tyler Vrieze led Gustavus defensively with nine tackles. Four different Gusties each tallied a sack in the victory.
Carleton failed to cross midfield before Gustavus had taken a 24-0 point second-quarter lead. The Gusties, who have now won seven straight against the Knights dating back to 1997, picked up 26 first downs compared to Carleton’s 17.
With the win the Gusties improved to 1-2 on the season, 1-1 in the MIAC. Carleton dropped to 0-2. Gustavus will resume MIAC play on Saturday, September 27 by hosting Augsburg College for Homecoming 2003.