SAINT PETER, Minn. – The Gustavus football team is aiming for its third straight and 500th all-time victory Saturday as it hosts Augsburg University at 1 p.m. at Hollingsworth Field. The Gusties are 3-3 overall and 2-2 in the MIAC, while the Auggies are 2-5 overall and 0-5 in the league.
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THE SERIES
Saturday afternoon’s game marks the 77th all-time meeting between the Gustavus and Augsburg football programs. The Gusties lead the series 58-18 and have won the past four meetings. Last season at Edor Nelson Field, the Gusties jumped out to a 21-0 lead in the first half and never looked back. It was an absolute aerial shootout with the two teams combining for 881 passing yards. In the end, the Gusties out-gained the Auggies 532-505 in total yards of offense in a 42-37 victory. Michael Veldman’s 430 passing yards were the third most in a single game in Gustavus history.
GOING FOR 500
The Golden Gusties have a long and storied football tradition that includes 22 MIAC titles. Today, Gustavus is looking to join an elite group of 56 NCAA Division III institutions whose football teams have won 500 games. The Gusties currently boast a 499-359-21 all-time record. The program ranks in the top-50 all-time in Division III (out of 235 institutions) with a 57.9 winning percentage. Among MIAC institutions, only Saint John’s (635), St. Thomas (612), and Concordia (535) have more all-time wins than Gustavus.
TACKLE CANCER
Saturday’s game is designated as the annual Tackle Cancer game. The Gusties will help raise money for the Randy Shaver Cancer Research & Community Fund, which funds research, prevention, treatment and other programs relating to the Minnesota cancer community’s needs. You can donate to Randy Shaver’s fund by finding one of the many Saint Peter High School football players walking around the stadium with donation buckets.
SCOUTING THE GUSTIES
Gustavus is looking to keep its momentum rolling today after winning its past two games. Two blocked punts, one recovered for a touchdown, and a punt return touchdown highlighted the Gusties’ 42-14 win at Hamline last week. The Gusties also had three rushing touchdowns and surpassed 400 yards of total offense for the first time this season, moving their winning percentage to .500.
Through six games this season, the Gusties average 22.8 points and 318 yards of total offense per game. They’ve moved the chains on 40-of-88 third down attempts, leading the MIAC with a 45 percent third down conversion rate. On the defensive side of the ball, Gustavus has caused 15 fumbles and totaled 496 tackles – third most in the MIAC.
The return game has been a strength as well with the Black and Gold averaging 16.1 yards per punt return (2nd/MIAC) and 19.5 yards per kick return (4th/MIAC). Gustavus has proven itself to be disciplined as the least penalized team in the MIAC with an average of just 4.7 penalties per game. After three consecutive games with less than 100 yards rushing, the Gusties have found a balanced offensive attack in their past two matchups, averaging 160 yards on the ground and 237 yards through the air.
David Peal (Fy., Worcester, Mass.) leads the rushing attack with 62 carries for 245 yards and three touchdowns. Michael Veldman (Sr., Becker, Minn.) has completed 56.2 percent of his passes for 1268 yards (3rd/MIAC), 10 touchdowns, and six interceptions. Brice Panning (Jr., Hamburg, Minn.) continues to be the top target, averaging 79.5 receiving yards per game (4th/MIAC) and 18.3 yards per catch (2nd/MIAC). Inside linebackers Matt Berkner (Sr., Sleepy Eye, Minn.) and Jake Boykin (Jr., Las Cruces, N.M.) lead the defense with 53 and 38 tackles, respectively. Berkner’s 8.8 tackles per game rank fifth in the MIAC.
SCOUTING THE AUGGIES
After winning its first two non-conference games of the season, Augsburg has yet to find the win column in the MIAC, losing its last five conference games. The Auggies most recently lost a back-and-forth battle against Carleton last Saturday in Minneapolis. Despite out-gaining the Knights 557-241 in total yards of offense, the Auggies were unable to complete the comeback in a 36-34 loss.
It’s no secret that Augsburg’s strength is in the passing game as it averages 222 yards through the air per game, which is third best in the MIAC. The Auggies average 16.6 points and 311.9 total yards of offense per game, but allow 42.9 points and 434.7 yards. One of their redeeming qualities is the takeaway. Through seven games, the Auggies have caused 16 fumbles and recovered nine (2nd/MIAC).
The Auggies have started two quarterbacks this season with Quentin Lake getting the bulk of the snaps. Lake has completed 55.5 percent of his passes for 1084 yards, nine touchdowns, and eight interceptions. Nick Heenie is the clear-cut, big-play receiver with 69 catches for 992 yards and 10 touchdowns – all marks that top the conference statistics. RaQuan Cunnigan and Keith Anthony led the rushing attack. Cunnigan has 60 carries for 267 yards and touchdown, while Anthony has 68 carries for 218 yards. Derek Glynn is the defensive leader with 62 tackles, 2.5 for loss, and two fumble recoveries.