The Gusties will host Concordia on Homecoming. (photo courtesy of Tim Kruse)
SAINT PETER, Minn. – After enjoying its bye last week, the Gustavus football returns to Hollingsworth Field 1 p.m. Saturday to host Concordia for the annual Homecoming and Hall of Fame game. The Gusties enter the game 1-3 overall and 0-2 in the MIAC, while the Cobbers are 3-2 overall and 2-1 in the league.
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Homecoming
Gustavus is celebrating its 94th Homecoming Saturday, continuing a tradition started on Nov. 8, 1924, when the Gusties defeated Saint John’s 33-0 on Hallander Field. Gustavus has enjoyed a good deal of success on Homecoming Day, compiling an all-time record of 64-27-2. In 86 Homecoming contests, Gustavus has tallied a 58-26-2 record against conference opponents, including a 10-3-1 mark against Concordia. The last meeting between these two teams on Gustavus’s Homecoming came in 2011, a 37-20 Concordia victory.
Scouting the Gusties
Gustavus is aiming to snap a three-game losing streak today with a sense of rejuvenation after enjoying its bye week. The Gusties were last in action two weeks ago in a 31-0 loss at Bethel. The Royals outgained Gustavus 353-139. The Gusties were held to 84 yards passing and 55 yards on the ground.
Through four games this season, the Gusties average 17 points and 278.5 yards of total offense per game. On the defensive side of the ball, Gustavus has forced 11 fumbles and has totaled 380 tackles – third most in the MIAC. The return game has been a strength early in the season as the Black and Gold averages 19.8 yards per kick return, which ranks fourth in the conference.
Brayton Finch (Jr., Mount Morris, Ill.) continues to be a dual-threat for the offense after four games. The junior tight end/running back leads the team in rushing with 43 carries for 126 yards and a touchdown, and is second in receiving with 14 catches for 112 yards and four scores. Brice Panning (Jr., Hamburg, Minn.) has a team-high 17 receptions and 342 yards.
Michael Veldman (Sr., Becker, Minn.) has a 113.9 quarterback efficiency after playing all but two series behind center this year. He’s completed 64-of-130 passes for 797 yards, seven touchdowns, and three interceptions. Inside linebackers Matt Berkner (Sr., Sleepy Eye, Minn.) and Jake Boykin (Jr., Las Cruces, N.M.) continue to lead the defense with 44 and 30 tackles, respectively. Berkner’s 11 tackles per game rank second in the MIAC.
Scouting the Cobbers
Concordia suffered a decisive 46-7 loss to No. 3-ranked St. Thomas last week during its Homecoming. The Tommies outgained the Cobbers 390-233 while the home team lost three fumbles and was picked off once.
Despite the lopsided affair last Saturday, Concordia still boasts the MIAC’s best rushing attack. The Cobbers lead the league in rushing yards (1,410), rushing attempts (243), and rushing yards per game (282.0). They’ve also gained first down via the rush a MIAC-high 69 times. With a strong ground game, the Cobbers rank second in the league in time of possession, averaging 33:23 per game. The offense as a whole averages 30 points and 368 yards per game.
Blake Kragnes is a dual-threat quarterback with the ability to pass or tuck the ball and run. Kragnes has completed 50-of-91 passes for 399 yards, seven touchdowns, and one interception, along with a team-high 48 carries for 153 yards and three scores.
The rushing attack is led by Rylie Sheridan with 31 carries for 402 yards and four touchdowns. Sheridan has the ability to make big gains with a season-long run of 91 yards and an average of 13 yards per carry. Dane Ringquist is the second rushing threat, averaging 66.6 yards per game with 46 carries and two touchdowns. Kevin Marzolf leads the receiving corps with 22 catches for 242 yards and four touchdowns. Andrew Thompson is the defensive leader with 33 tackles.