Jake Breitbach catches a pass at Carleton. (photo courtesy of Zoe Haugen)
NORTHFIELD, Minn. – The Gustavus football team Saturday defeated Carleton 24-9 in a MIAC Northwoods Division matchup. The Gusties jumped out to a 16-0 lead in the first half and held the Knights to a season-low 261 total yards of offense. Gustavus is now 6-2 overall, 4-2 in the MIAC, and 2-1 in the division, while the Knights fall to 6-2 overall, 4-2 in the conference, and 1-2 in the division.
Neither team was able to score on their first two possessions until Andrew Abegglen (Jr., Mound) made his league-leading ninth field goal of the season, a 30-yarder, to give the Gusties a 3-0 lead with 2:11 left in the first quarter. The Gusties forced a three-and-out on Carleton’s ensuing drive and on the first play of the Gustie drive, Brett Hufendick (Sr., Edina) found Dalton Thelen (Sr., Cold Spring) for a 62-yard touchdown pass. Abegglen’s extra point was good and the Gusties led 10-0 at the end of the first quarter.
The two teams traded possessions a couple times in the second quarter before the Gusties took advantage of a short field and went 38 yards in four plays, capped by a four-yard touchdown pass from Hufendick to Jake Breitbach (So., Golden Valley) for a 16-0 lead with just 13 seconds left in the half.
Carleton ended the shutout with 4:32 remaining in the third quarter with a 12-play, 40-yard drive, finished with a 33-yard field goal to make the score 16-3.
The Gusties ended the third and opened the fourth quarter with a nine-play, 75-yard scoring drive. Zach Jakes (Sr., North Mankato) ended the drive with a three-yard touchdown rush to the right side for a 24-3 lead 40 seconds into the fourth. Carleton scored its first and only touchdown of the game on a three-yard rush with 5:12 left in regulation, but that would be the final score.
The Gusties outgained the Knights 380-261 in total offense. In his first career start, Hufendick completed 18-of-24 passes for 243 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions. Thelen was the top target with 10 catches for 190 yards and a touchdown. David Peal (Sr., Worcester, Mass.) led the rushing attack with 18 carries for 71 yards.
Seven different Gusties had four tackles apiece. Austin Fest (Sr., West Des Moines, Iowa) was the leader in the secondary with four tackles, one forced fumble, and three pass breakups.
Gustavus hosts St. Olaf at 1 p.m. next Saturday for its final home game of the season. The Oles lost to Bethel today 35-14.