SAINT PETER, Minn. – After enjoying a bye last week, the Gustavus football team is set to host UW-Stout at 1 p.m. Saturday for its home opener at Hollingsworth Field. The Gusties enter their second and final non-conference game at 1-0 after a decisive 62-20 victory at Buena Vista on Sept. 3, while the Blue Devils are 0-1 after a 27-0 loss at Wartburg last Saturday.
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THE SERIES
Saturday’s game marks the eighth meeting between the Gustavus and UW-Stout football programs with the Gusties leading the all-time series 5-2. The last meeting between the two teams was Sept. 14, 2019 in Menomonie, Wis. as the Gusties won 41-31. Gustavus erased a 15-8 deficit in the second quarter, outscoring the Blue Devils 33-2 over the next 13 minutes of play. Michael Veldman passed for 249 yards and three touchdowns with Josh Kirk leading the receiving corps with eight catches for 114 yards and two scores.
SCOUTING THE GUSTIES
For the second straight year the Gustavus football team opened the season at Buena Vista with a stellar offensive performance, but unlike last year’s matchup, the Gusties played a more complete game with a 62-20 victory in contrast to last year’s 80-58 decision, which tied the NCAA Division III record for most combined points in regulation. All 20 Beaver points during the Sept. 3 season opener were scored in the fourth quarter as the Gusties held a 56-0 lead before allowing a touchdown with 12:36 left in the game.
In his first collegiate game, Daniel Rennie completed 18-of-26 passes for 237 yards, four touchdowns, and two interceptions. Rennie also had eight carries for 37 yards and a quarterback sneak touchdown. Ten different Gusties caught a pass with Jake Breitbach leading the group with eight receptions for 81 yards and three touchdowns. Matthew Kipper added five catches for 76 yards and a score.
The rushing game was led by David Peal who had 10 carries for 79 yards, highlighted by a 46-yard touchdown on a fourth-and-short play. Rohee Konde also had a long rushing score of 37 yards. The offense totaled 553 yards with 263 on the ground and 290 through the air.
The Gustie defense was stout, holding the Beavers scoreless for the first 47:24 of the game. The Gusties limited the Beavers to 316 yards of total offense (80 rushing, 236 passing) and forced three turnovers. Reigning MIAC Mike Stam Award winner Zach Jakes had an explosive performance with four tackles, a blocked field goal returned 40 yards, and his first career interception. William Hawkins contributed a team-leading five tackles, while Isaiah Chambers added an interception.
SCOUTING THE BLUE DEVILS
After finishing the 2021 season at .500 (5-5), UW-Stout opened the 2022 season last Saturday with a 27-0 loss at Wartburg College. The Blue Devils found themselves in a 24-0 hole at halftime and were unable to put any points on the board.
UW-Stout totaled 250 yards of offense with 64 on the ground and 186 through the air. Sean Borgerding completed 23-of-44 passes for 186 yards and two interceptions. He was sacked five times. Arthur Cox was the leading receiver with eight catches for 81 yards. Parker Fossum added five receptions for 28 yards. Matt Pomietlo paced the ground game with 10 carries for 38 yards.
Cannon Griner led the defensive effort with nine tackles. Mack Klafter was next with eight stops. Nick Arguedas recorded a team-high two tackles for loss while Andrew Thompson had four tackles and a pass breakup.
On special teams, Patrick Corcoran returned four kickoffs for 46 yards. Ben Karls punted the ball five times for an average of 26 yards with two inside the 20-yard line.
NOTES
Gustavus In Home Openers: The Gusties have compiled an all-time record of 63-37-4 in home openers in the 104-year history of the program. In 2021’s home opener, Gustavus used three second half touchdown passes and a number of key defensive stops late in the fourth quarter to upset then No. 15-ranked Wartburg College. Gustavus claimed an 11-6 win over Mankato Normal in its first ever home game in 1902. That game was played on what is now the Nicollet County Fairgrounds on the north end of Saint Peter.
New Face Under Center: After a standout career at quarterback from Michael Veldman, who graduated as the program’s all-time leader in passing yards (8,751) and touchdowns (87), the Gusties look to first-year quarterback Daniel Rennie to lead the offense. Rennie, a transfer quarterback from Division I (FCS) Bryant University, had an impressive debut against Buena Vista, throwing for 267 yards and four touchdowns in three quarters of play.
National Ranks: Gustavus has played just one game this season, but ranks fifth in NCAA Division III with 62 points per game. The Gusties’ 553 yards of total offense ranks 11th and their third down conversion percentage of 53.8 ranks 19th. The defense ranks fourth in first downs allowed at 13.