Welcome
Gustavus welcomes Augsburg College to Lloyd Hollingsworth Field today for a mid-season MIAC match-up between two teams who are looking to pick up their first win of the season. The Gusties enter the game with a record of 0-5 overall, and 0-3 in the MIAC, while Augsburg enters with a mark of 0-4 overall and 0-2 in the MIAC.
The Gusties are celebrating Homecoming for the 81st time in school history today. The Gustavus football team has achieved great success on Homecoming Day having compiled an all-time record of 57-21-2. Gustavus, which will be meeting the Auggies for the seventh time on Homecoming Day, has compiled a record of 5-1 in the previous five meetings. The last time the two squads met for Homecoming was in 2003, when the Gusties claimed a 28-7 win over the Auggies.
The Series
Gustavus will be facing Augsburg for the 64th time today. The Gusties, who hold a 51-12-0 lead in the all-time series, have won their last seven games with the Auggies. Head Coach Jay Schoenebeck has directed his squads to a mark of 9-2 against Augsburg since taking charge of the Gustie football program in 1994.
Meet the Head Coaches
Gustavus Head Coach Jay Schoenebeck (’80) is in his twelfth season directing his alma mater. Schoenebeck has compiled a record of 54-59 overall, and 49-49 in the MIAC. Schoenebeck’s squads have placed in the top four in the MIAC in six of the past seven seasons. Frank Haege is in his first season as the head coach at Augsburg. Haege posted a mark of 64-24 as a head coach of the two separate Arena Football League teams from 2000 to 2004. Haege had previously served as the wide receivers coach and offensive coordinator from 1996 to 1998. He is a 1992 graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Stout.
A Look at Today’s Game
A Glimpse of the Gusties
Gustavus suffered another disappointing setback last Saturday, falling 30-0 to Concordia in Moorhead. The Gustie offense started the day with an impressive 14 play, 54-yard drive, however an interception ended that drive and the offense would muster only 99 yards on 11 possessions the rest of the game. The defense made two impressive stops against the Cobbers in the first quarter, but Concordia exploded for 17 points in the second quarter. The Cobbers would add another touchdown in the third quarter to make the score 24-0 and then added a final score with a touchdown in the final minute of the game. The Gusties failed to score a point in a game for the first time in over nine years (97 games). The last time Gustavus was shutout was a 7-0 loss to Bethel on October 21, 1995. Against the Cobbers, the Gusties were led defensively by Nick David, who recorded 10 solo tackles. Junior cornerback Wade Vrieze added nine tackles, including two tackles-for-loss. Offensively, sophomore quarterback Jordan Stolp completed 12-of-29 passes for 119 yards, and junior wide receiver Kerry Zajicek made six catches for 51 yards.
The Gustie defense will have to do without the services of starting defensive end Chris Cornwell and his backup Jared Chapman, both of whom were injured last Saturday. Cornwell suffered a leg injury, while Chapman broke a bone in his hand. Offensively, the Gusties hope to welcome offensive tackle Andy Klaers back to the lineup. Klaers has missed the last four games with a knee injury.
Through five games, the Gusties are averaging 222.0 yards of total offense per game, while the defense is allowing an average of 334.0 yards per game. The offense has been compild the majority of its yards through the air and junior wideout Kerry Zajicek leads the team with 19 catches for 155 yards. Defensively, the Gusties have been strong up the middle with nose tackle Nick David, linebackers Jared Sieling, and Adam Miron, and free safety Kevin Hegland leading the way. Sieling leads the team in tackles with 64, followed by David with 40, Miron with 35, and Hegland with 30.
A View of the Auggies
Augsburg dropped a heartbreaker to Carleton 21-19 last Saturday in Minneapolis. The Auggies out-gained the Knights 394 yards to 194 yards on offense, however Augsburg turned the ball over five times (two fumbles, three interceptions). Two of the Auggie turnovers led to Carleton touchdowns. Augsburg, which is now 0-4 overall and 0-2 in the MIAC, is off to a 0-4 start for the first time since 1990. Last Saturday, the Auggie offense was led by quarterback Keith Hagen and wide receiver Ricky Schreier. Hagen completed 24-of-39 passes for 278 yards with three interceptions, while Schreier made nine catches for 122 yards. The Augsburg defense was led by,linebackers Ross Peroutka and Taylor Kroger. Peroutka recorded three sacks and forced a fumble, while Kroger contributed 14 tackles (three solo).
First year head Coach Frank Haege has had a challenging start to the season, however the Auggies have played a difficult schedule, which has included games against pre-season #24 Wartburg followed by current #20 North Central. Augsburg nearly upset Wartburg losing 29-26, but then were steamrolled by North Central 64-25. The last two weeks, the Auggies have been forced to play without starting quarterback Marcus LeVesseur. LeVesseur’s status for today’s game with the Gusties is uncertain. If he is unavailable, Keith Hagen will make his third start of the season. Hagen has completed 38-of-65 passes this season for 465 yards and one touchdown with five interceptions. Hagen’s primary target through the air has been Ricky Schreier who has made 28 catches for 391 yards and one touchdown. LeVesseur, who has played in only two of the Auggies’ four games, is the team’s leading rusher with 39 carries for 210 yards and three touchdowns. The Augsburg defense has been led by inside linebackers Taylor Kroger and Mike Matson. Kroger has recorded 43 tackles (21 solo), while Matson has registered 39 tackles (23 solo).
Through four games, the Auggies are averaging 355.0 yards of total offense per game, while the defense is allowing an average of 435.0 yards per game.
Game Notes
Three Golden Gustie Championship Teams Gather for Homecoming — MIAC Championship teams from 1945, 1950 and 1955 will gather at Gustavus this weekend to celebrate and remember their exploits on the football field. The 1945 team coached by Tuddie Lindenberg, compiled a record of 4-0 in league play and 6-0 overall. The Gusties recorded four shutouts in the six games and allowed only 19 points all season. The 1950 and 1955 squads were both coached by Lloyd Hollingsworth, The 1950 team posted a record of 9-1 overall and 6-0 in the MIAC. The Gusties outscored their league foes 193-19 in six games. The 1955 squad compiled a record of 5-3 overall and 5-1 in the MIAC. Long-time Gustavus men’s hockey coach Don Roberts was an all-conference fullback on this team. The 1955 title was the sixth consecutive league championship for Coach Hollingsworth. The Gustavus Athletic Department would like to extend a warm welcome to all those returning to celebrate today.
New Stadium Design on Display Today — Plans for the proposed new football stadium will be on display during the game today in a tent on the north end of the stadium. Athletics Director Al Molde will be on hand with other Gustavus staff members to discuss details about the stadium. A short video will be available so interested parties can see the proposed design. You can see a sketch of the new stadium on the inside back cover of today’s program along with frequently asked questions about this very special project. The future of Gustavus football is bright, come see for yourself!
Homecoming Trivia — The Gusties will be looking to win their third homecoming game in the past four year’s today against Augsburg. Coach Jay Schoenebeck’s squads had won three consecutive homecoming games until Concordia broke the string last year with a 42-27 victory. Gustavus’ most lopsided homecoming win ever was a 61-0 rout of Hamline in 1935. The Gusties’ closest homecoming victories occurred in 1964 when they edged Minnesota-Duluth 21-20 and in 1974 when they edged St. Olaf by the same score. The most points ever scored in a homecoming game is 67 which occurred in 1938 when the Gusties rolled past Saint Mary’s 67-7. The most points ever scored by both teams on homecoming day is 78 which happened in 1978 when Gustavus beat Bethel 59-19.
Sieling Piling Up the Tackles — Sophomore linebacker Jared Sieling needs seven tackles today to push his career total to 150. Sieling, who currently leads the MIAC in total tackles with 64, has averaged 11.0 tackles per game in 13 games in his career. Brian Bergstrom, the Gusties all-time leader in tackles with 406, averaged 10.2 tackles per game in his career (40 games from 1998 to 2001). Seiling needs 35 tackles to move into 20th place on the Gustavus career tackles list.
STARTING LINEUPS
Gustavus Adolphus College
OFFENSE
11 Jordan Stolp QB
05 Drew Stifter RB
03 Clint Riegelman WR
72 Michael Klayum LT
79 Mark Iverson LG
68 Dan Tiegen C
73 Jared Thelemann RG
63 Ian Ruppel RT
85 Jamie Germscheid TE
17 Kerry Zajicek WR
18 Tom Johnson WR
DEFENSE
31 Blake Theisen LE
35 Kory Wermerskirchen LT
53 Nick David RT
54 Jay Frederickson RE
04 Jared Sieling OLB
52 Adam Miron MLB
47 Jon Horbacz OLB
21 Brian Evans CB
28 Neil Petrash SS
16 Kevin Hegland FS
32 Wade Vrieze CB
SPECIAL TEAMS
16 Kevin Hegland LS
29 Loren Havemeier KR
29 Loren Havemeier PR
11 Jordan Stolp K
22 Mike Leonard P
Augsburg College
OFFENSE
09 Keith Hagen QB
20 Garry Ashby-Phan RB
80 Andrew Neumann TE
66 Ryan Shea LT
51 Tony Madline LG
61 Eric Dunivent C
75 Matt Siems RG
70 Jason Weber RT
88 Josh Starr WR
02 Ricky Schreier WR
28 Jason Potts WR
DEFENSE
52 Brandon Rudenick DE
42 Jake Koelin DT
99 Chike Ochiagha RT
90 Alan Mueller DE
21 Ross Peroutka OLB
44 Mike Matson ILB
32 Taylor Kroger ILB
34 Jim Gunderson OLB
33 Darrell Young CB
22 Andy Matzke CB
04 Jordan Hastings FS
SPECIAL TEAMS
88 Josh Starr LS
02 Ricky Schreier KR
28 Jason Potts PR
01 Nick Schlieman K
01 Nick Schlieman P
MIAC Standings
MIAC Schedule