Photo courtesy of David Faulkner, SPX Sports.
SAINT PETER, Minn. – The Gustavus football team returns to Hollingsworth Field Saturday for a 1 p.m. contest with Hamline. The Gusties enter 3-2 overall and 1-2 in the MIAC while the Pipers are 1-5 overall and 0-4 in the conference.
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Hall of Fame Weekend: Saturday’s game is designated as Hall of Fame Day at Hollingsworth Field as the College’s Athletics Department has selected eight individuals for induction into its Athletics Hall of Fame. The 2019 class of inductees include Luke Benoit `04 (Golf), Molly Biehn Becker `04 (Softball), Mike Gempeler `91 (Hockey), Raman Jayapathy `85 (Tennis), Neil Johnson `04 (Golf), Jackie Luehmann `04 (Track & Field), Angie Peterson Potts `04 (Basketball), and Kristin Petersen Smith `04 (Track & Field).
Scouting the Gusties: Gustavus is coming off its first MIAC win of the season after defeating Concordia 35-28 last Saturday. The Gusties fell behind early but used a 21-point fourth quarter, capped by a miraculous 78-yard completion from Michael Veldman (Sr., Becker) to Josh Kirk (Sr., Garvin) with less than 30 seconds remaining to gain the lead and eventual seal the victory.
Through five games, the Gusties average 36.0 points and 402.0 yards of total offense per game. On defense, Gustavus allows 29.2 points and 341.2 yards per game. The Gusties have been the most successful MIAC team in the red zone this season, scoring touchdowns on 20-of-24 possessions (83 percent), which is 14 percent higher than the next best conference foe.
Veldman has aired it out more than any other quarterback in the MIAC, completing 112-of-176 (63.6 percent) attempts for 1,671 yards and 16 touchdowns to go along with eight interceptions. Veldman’s yards, touchdowns, and completions all rank first in the MIAC. Kirk and Brice Panning (Sr., Hamburg) are the only two pass catchers in the conference averaging 100-plus receiving yards per contest with Kirk at 118.0 per game and Panning averaging 101.2. Kirk has 35 catches for 590 yards and three touchdowns, while Panning has 33 receptions for 506 yards and MIAC-best 10 touchdowns.
Jake Boykin (Sr., Las Cruces, N.M.) and Zach Jakes (So., Mankato) lead the defense this season with 33 and 31 tackles, respectively, with Jakes having a team-best 2.5 tackles for loss. Jake Krull (Sr., Plymouth) has been the team’s top tackler in the secondary, recording 28 tackles to go along with one interception, while Kaleb Scott (Jr., Gardena, Calif.) has two interceptions and five pass deflections to lead the team.
Scouting the Pipers: Hamline is coming off a 14-7 loss to Carleton last Saturday. The Pipers outgained the Knights 366-233 in the contest, but turned the ball over on downs five times, had an interception, and a fumble lost in the contest.
Through six games, the Pipers average 10.2 points and 250.2 yards per game. Defensively, they allow 41.0 points and 477.5 yards against per contest. The Pipers have converted on fourth down a MIAC-most 10 times this season and also recovered a league-high seven fumbles.
Offensively, the Pipers have seen three different players at quarterback, with Connor Leavens being the team’s top passer. Leavens has completed 73-of-135 passes for 850 yards and six touchdowns, but has been intercepted seven times. Manny Moton has also seen a healthy amount of time under center but has been more of a runner, rushing 37 times for 104 yards and a score, while only throwing 35 passes. Terrell Jones is the team’s top back, rushing 36 times for 161 yards and a touchdown. Triston Thomas and Tanner Lunceford lead the team in receiving with 34 and 29 receptions, respectively, with Thomas owning a team-high 388 yards.
The Pipers are led defensively by linebacker Monty Stenroos, who has totaled 53 tackles including five for loss. Carson Reinard has also been tough at the linebacker position in his first year, totaling 44 tackles. Chip Kindt has been the team’s top pass rusher this season with two sacks.