Gustavus at Augsburg
Date: Saturday, Sept. 16
Time: 1 p.m.
Location: Minneapolis, Minn. | Edor Nelson Field
Live Coverage: Live Stats/Watch | Audio
ST. PETER, Minn. – The Gustavus football team heads into Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference action, heading to Augsburg University. The Auggies (2-0, 0-0 MIAC) host the Gusties (1-1, 0-0 MIAC) on Saturday afternoon at Edor Nelson Field.
MEET THE HEAD COACHES
Head Coach Peter Haugen is in his ninth season at the helm of the Gustavus football program. Haugen has a combined record of 38-44 after going 5-5 overall and 3-5 in the MIAC last season. A graduate of Bethel University, Haugen was the head coach at Washburn High School in Minneapolis prior to coming to Gustavus.
Head Coach Frank Haege is in his 13th season at the helm of the Augsburg football program. Haege has a combined record of 51-71 after going 2-8 overall and 2-6 in the MIAC last season. In his tenure, Haege has coached 62 All-MIAC players (20 first-team, 24 second-team and 18 honorable-mention), 48 Academic All-Conference players, 17 D3football.com All-West Region players, seven D3football.com All-Americans, 26 Hampshire Honor Society members, two CoSIDA Academic All-Americans, one MIAC Most Valuable Player and one National Student-Athlete of the Year (Gagliardi Trophy) finalist.
THE SERIES
Saturday’s game marks the 76th meeting between the Gustavus and Augsburg football programs. The Auggies hold a 6-4 advantage over the last 10 meetings, while the Gusties are riding a three-year winning streak. Last season, Gustavus defeated Augsburg by a score of 35-13 at Hollingsworth Field. Trailing 13-0 at halftime, the momentum shifted in the home team’s favor on the first drive of the season half with a touchdown, which was followed by four more drives finishing in the end zone. Karim Ortiz recorded a career-high 180 yards rushing with two touchdowns, while Hunter Johnson also tallied two receiving touchdowns.
AMONG MIAC LEADERS
Quarterback Michael Veldman (Jr., Becker, Minn.) holds the most passing yards among other conference quarterbacks, with 624 for an average of 312.0 yards per game. Wide receiver Josh Kirk (So., Garvin, Minn.) ranks fourth in the league with 188 receiving yards for an average of 94.0 per game. Kicker Brendan Boche (Sr., Lakeville, Minn.) leads the MIAC, going 3-3 in field goal opportunities.
SCOUTING THE GUSTIES
The Gusties flashed their air attack potential during the second week of the season. Despite recording the most passing yards in a game since 2015 with 334, the Gusties were only able to come away with one touchdown and two field goals in the 20- 12 loss at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, moving their record to 1-1 overall.
Michael Veldman completed 29 passes on 47 attempts, totaling a career-best 334 passing yards. Josh Kirk led the receiving core with the sole touchdown and a career-high six receptions for 114 yards. Hunter Johnson (Sr., Cannon Falls, Minn.) also brought in a career-high 11 receptions for 84 yards.
Through two games in 2017, the Gustie defense has held opponents to a scoring average of 10 points per game, allowing 447 yards of total offense on 118 plays. As a team, Gustavus has compiled 152 tackles, along with 17 tackles for loss and five sacks. Linebacker Casey Decker (Sr., Mapleton, Minn.) leads the defensive unit with 17 tackles (six solo, 11 assisted), including 4.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, and one forced fumble.
SCOUTING THE AUGGIES
Augsburg has began the 2017 season with an average of 40.0 points per game, nearing 1,000 yards of total offense. The Auggies came away with two wins during their non-conference schedule, defeating the University of Northwestern-St. Paul 42-7 and Concordia University-Wisconsin 38-16, both at Edor Nelson Field in Minneapolis, Minn.
The Auggies favor the passing game as they have accumulated 629 passing yards compared to 280 rushing yards through two games. The aerial attack is led by junior quarterback Quinn Frisell, who leads the conference with seven passing touchdowns. Frisell has also completed 46 passes in 83 attempts, totaling 569 yards for an average of 284.5 per game. The trio of Ray Guyton Jr., Jeremy Hallowanger, and Nick Heenine have combined to lead the receiving core, each having double-digit receptions and over 100 receiving yards. Heenie leads the group with 210 yards receiving and four touchdowns. Senior running back Tiras Bolton carries the Auggie ground-game, averaging 97.0 yards per game with a total of 194 yards on 32 carries.
The Augsburg defense has limited its opponents to an average of 284.5 yards of total offense per game, while giving up just 28 first downs and 11.5 points per game. Sophomore linebacker Mustafa Adam leads the Auggie defense and ranks third in the conference with 22 tackles (11 solo, 11 assisted). Sophomore linebacker Derek Glynn has compiled 17 tackles, including three tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. Senior defensive back Isiah Malone leads Augsburg with two interceptions, along with two pass breakups, four passes defended, and one fumble recovery.