The Gustavus football team, which has scored in the final seconds of its last two games to claim heart-stopping victories, expects another tight battle at Augsburg on Saturday afternoon. The Gusties are currently 3-3 overall and 2-2 in the MIAC.
Saturday’s conference matchup between Gustavus and Augsburg pits two teams that got off to slow starts, but have played very well in recent weeks. The Gusties got off to a 1-3 start to the season, but have evened their record with back-to-back wins over Pacific Lutheran University (34-33) and Carleton (28-21). The Auggies also got off to a 1-3 start and then rallied to even their mark at 3-3 with a 31-28 win over Augsburg and a 27-20 overtime win over Concordia.
Jordan Becker has thrown eight touchdown passes in the last two games for the Gusties.
You can listen to the game on KNUJ Radio (860 AM) out of New Ulm, Minnesota or on the internet through the Gustavus website. You can also watch a live video webcast and access live statistics through the Augsburg website.
There is a parking advisory for fans wishing to attend game which will take place at Augsburg’s Edor Nelson Field. You can access information on places to park at this link.
Augsburg Series Info – This will be the 68th meeting all-time with Augsburg. The Gusties lead the series with a mark of 54-13-0. Last year, Gustavus beat Augsburg 34-31 at Lloyd Hollingsworth Field.
Gustie Game Notes
Becker making a move in the record books – Even though Jordan Becker has only been the Gusties starting quarterback in his junior and senior seasons, the Blue Earth Area native had quickly solidified his place in the Gustie record books. Becker currently ranks eighth all-time at Gustavus in career completions (262), eighth in career TD passes (29), and ninth in career yards passing (3,157) and it is likely that he will end his career in the top five of each of those categories.
Welch MIAC Special Teams Player of the Week – Joe Welch (Sr., Hastings, Minn.) has been named MIAC Special Teams Player of the Week for his efforts as a kick returner in the Gusties 28-21 win over Carleton last Saturday. Welch (Hastings, Minn.) made several game-changing plays against Carleton including an 87-yard kick return for a touchdown to help the Gusties edge the Knights on Saturday. On the day, Welch returned three kicks for 145 yards and one touchdown including the 87-yard return, a 45-yard return, and a 13-yard yard return. Welch’s 45-yard return in the second quarter gave Gustavus the ball at the Carleton 39-yard line and led to a touchdown five plays later. In the third quarter with Gustavus trailing 21-6, Welch’s 87-yard TD return sparked the Gusties to 21 straight points and a thrilling 28-21 come-from-behind victory. Welch’s TD return was the third longest in school history. He has made 14 returns this season for 321 yards with an average of 22.9 yards per return. His 87-yard return is the longest in the MIAC this season as well as the only kick returned for a touchdown in MIAC play.
Too Close for Comfort – The Gustavus football team has won three and
lost one of the four games it has played this season that was decided in the final 30 seconds of the contest. The Gusties just missed defeating Coe when Jordan Becker’s pass was intercepted in the end zone with 30 seconds left, which led to a 27-24 loss. In the second week, Gustavus defeated Hamline in two overtimes, when Kendrick Hall dashed 24 yards for a touchdown to give the Gusties a 30-24 victory. Against Pacific Lutheran, Becker hit Elliott Herdina with a 1-yard TD pass with 12 seconds left to give the Gusties a 34-33 victory, and last week, Becker found Herdina in the end zone again with 14 seconds left to allow the Gusties to defeat Carleton 28-21. The last time the Gusties had four games in a season decided by seven points or less and the winning score was in the final minute of play was 1987 when the Gustavus went 10-0 and won the MIAC title.
Herdina Making Early Mark in Receiving Record Book – Sophomore Elliott Herdina (Blooming Prairie, Minn.), who has made seven TD catches this season and 12 TD catches in his 16 games at Gustavus already ranks eighth all-time in career touchdown catches in the history of the Golden Gustie football program. Herdina has made at least one TD catch in 10 of his 16 games at Gustavus including five of his six games this season. Herdina’s early career stats include 74 catches for 760 yards (10.2 yards per catch) and 12 TD’s. He has also rushed 74 times for 370 yards and two touchdowns.
There are two 21’s…you have a picture of Greg Ramaker for Joe Welch. Greg has black and white shoes and Joe has gold on his.