Isaac Kotila (63) blocks a Lake Forest field goal in the first quarter. Nick Frandsen (12) recovered the loose ball. (photo courtesy of Laura Westphal, SPX Sports)
ST. PETER, Minn. – After starting Saturday’s game against Lake Forest with a fumble and a punt on its first two offensive possessions, the Gustavus football team regrouped and ended its next five drives with touchdowns en route to a 49-0 shutout over the Foresters at Hollingsworth Field.
The win was a complete team effort as the offense amassed 530 total yards, while the defense held Lake Forest to 288 yards with two interceptions.
After a slow start, the Gustie offense cracked the scoreboard with 52 seconds remaining in the first quarter. Mitch Hendricks (Sr., Laporte, Minn.) found a hole through the middle of the Foresters defense and ran seven yards for a touchdown. The touchdown run capped a 12-play, 80-yard drive that lasted 4:12.
Lake Forest went three-and-out on the ensuing possession and the Gusties started their next drive at the Foresters 45-yard line five seconds into the second quarter. Gustavus then put together a nine-play drive and ended it on a seven-yard strike from Hendricks to Gabe Boyce (Sr., Excelsior, Minn.) for a touchdown.
Lake Forest responded with an impressive 17-play, 83-yard drive, but it didn’t end in favor of the visitors. On a fourth-and-one try from the Gustavus three-yard line, Kyle Krzmarzick (Sr., Sleepy Eye, Minn.) stuffed a rushing attempt for no gain, giving the Gusties the ball.
Starting the following drive with its heels in its own end zone, the Gustie offense rolled off a number of big gains throughout the possession and ended the nine-play, 97-yard drive with a one-yard touchdown run by Leeland Lauti (So., Ewa, Hawaii). The drive included five first downs, one of which featured a 26-yard run down the home sideline by Lauti.
On the ensuing kickoff, Michael Heitzman (Fy., Spicer, Minn.) forced a fumble, which was recovered by the Black and Gold at the Lake Forest 31. After a penalty to start the drive, Hendricks found Matt Boyce (Sr., Excelsior, Minn.) for an acrobatic catch in the end zone, giving Gustavus its fourth touchdown of the half. The Brendan Boche (So., Lakeville, Minn.) extra point made it 28-0, which stood as the score at halftime.
Gustavus started the third quarter with the ball at its own 40 after a 28-yard return by George Buchner (Jr., Excelsior, Minn.). Two quick 10-plus-yard passes from Hendricks to Gabe Boyce got the Gusties into Forester territory and they continued to drive down the field. Six plays later, Hendricks connected with Matt Boyce for a five-yard touchdown pass and with the Boche extra point the Gusties led 35-0 three minutes into the second half.
After the Gustavus defensive unit recorded a three-and-out, the offense gave the ball right back to Lake Forest on an interception. But three plays into the ensuing Lake Forest drive, the Gustie defense came up big again, returning the favor with an interception by Tyler Jakes (Jr., North Mankato, Minn.). The interception was Jakes’ first career pick as he returned the pass 11 yards to the Lake Forest 43.
The offense made good use of the turnover as it drove the field in four plays, ending on a 16-yard pass from Hendricks to Matt Boyce.
On the ensuing Forester drive, Levi Gibbs (Sr., LaPorte, Colo.) came away with an interception – his first career – on a tipped pass, giving the Gusties the ball back at the Lake Forest 44.
Once again, the Gustie offense turned the interception into points as Hendricks connected with Buchner for a 23-yard touchdown pass with 1:45 left in the third. Another Boche extra point made it 49-0 in favor of the home squad.
Neither team was able to find the end zone in the fourth quarter and the Gusties finished their non-conference schedule with another convincing win.
Hendricks had another impressive day as the play-caller. The Laporte, Minn. native went 28-for-35 with five touchdowns and two interceptions. He also added a rushing touchdown.
Matt Boyce was Hendricks’ favorite target, hauling in 10 receptions for 136 yards and three touchdowns. Gabe Boyce added nine catches for 93 yards and a score.
Lauti led the rushing game with 17 carries for 109 yards and a touchdown.
Defensively, Jakes posted 10 tackles and an interception. Nick Frandsen (Sr., North Oaks, Minn.) added eight stops, including two pass breakups and 1.5 tackles for loss.
Gustavus improves to 2-0 overall and begins its Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference schedule next Saturday at Hamline University. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m.
“It’s going to be a great challenge for us, no question about it,” Head Coach Peter Haugen said. “The MIAC is now the number one league in the country so we know there are going to be tougher days ahead. We just need to get back to work Monday and start preparing.”