Wartburg 27, Gustavus Adolphus 6
Turnovers proved costly for the Gustavus football team, as it
dropped the season opener 27-6 to Wartburg College on Saturday
afternoon in St. Peter, Minn. Gustavus had two fumbles and two
interceptions in the game, as the Wartburg defense allowed just 239
total yards of offense on the day. Wartburg linebacker Blake Suckow
recorded a game-high 13 tackles (10 solo, 6 asst.), while defensive
end Matt Tschetter had two and a half sacks and tackles for loss.
Gustavus quarterback Logan Becker went 17-for-29 for 117 yards
through the air, and had 15 rushes for 79 yards in his first
collegiate start. Gustavus falls to 0-1 on the season, while
Wartburg improves to 2-0.
The Gusties jumped out to an early 6-0 lead on a nine-yard
touchdown run by wide receiver Muresuk Mena. The play capped a 14
play, 71-yard drive that was kept alive by a roughing the punter
penalty on Wartburg. Kicker Tom Huepenbecker's point after
attempt was blocked by Brandon Moeller. It would take just 1:02 for
the Wartburg offense to answer. Quarterback Dan Stiefel connected
with receiver Levi Helbling on a 64-yard pass that brought the
Knights down to the Gustavus one-yard-line. Stiefel tied the game
at 6-6 on a sneak and kicker Marcus Williams put the Knights on top
7-6 with the extra point.
Becker would turn the ball over on a fumble following a 29-yard
run on the ensuing Gustavus possession. Wartburg's Ben Rector
forced the fumble and Matt Tschetter recovered it the ball on the
Wartburg nine-yard-line.
After a series of punts and three-and-outs by both squads,
Gustavus cornerback Jason Cook intercepted a pass at the 11:53 mark
of the second quarter. On the following play, Becker through an
interception to Matt Tschetter, giving the ball back to Wartburg on
the Knight 40-yard-line.
Wartburg took lead 13-6 two drives later at the 3:29 mark of the
second quarter. Brandon Sims scored a touchdown on a 13-yard run,
capping off a seven-play 45-yard drive. Wartburg recorded 188 of
total offense in the first half, while Gustavus had 102 yards.
Stiefel was 9-for-20 for 130-yards passing, while Becker was
6-for-11 for 42-yards.
Wartburg opened up the second half with an 82-yard scoring drive.
Reese Thompson hit a hole and scampered 75-yards down to the
Gustavus two-yard-line. Stiefel registered his second rushing
touchdown of the afternoon with another sneak from the
one-yard-line, putting the Knights on top 20-7. The Knights
extended their lead to 27-6 at the 6:00 mark of the third quarter
on a four-yard touchdown run by Thompson.
Gustavus running back Lucas Armstrong earned some tough yards in
the second half, finishing the game with seven carries for 29-yards
and three catches for 25-yards. Elliot Herdina was the leading
receiver for Gusties, recording three catches for 27 yards. The
Wartburg secondary check Herdina in check all afternoon, as his
first catch came at the 5:41 mark of the third quarter.
Zach Lundquist led the team in tackles with seven and a half,
while Paul Stommes had four and half tackles and an interception at
the end of the first half.
Wartburg totaled 432-yards of offense in the game, 266-yards
rushing and 166-yards passing. Stiefel was 11-for-24 for 166 yards
through the air. Thompson had a game-high 23 carries for 173 yards
and one touchdown, while Sims had eight carries for 57-yards.
Leading the Knights in receiving was Levi Helbling and Jason
Roskam. Helbling had one catch for 64-yards, and Roskam had three
catches for 63-yards. Wartburg punter Robby Salmon did an
outstanding job of pinning the Gusties deep all afternoon, as he
recorded six punts for a total of 268 yards (44.7 avg.).
Gustavus had the edge in time of possession 32:19 to 27:41. Both
team struggled on third downs, as Gustavus was 4-of-16 and Wartburg
was 2-of-10. The Gusties struggle in the red zone, scoring once on
three chances, while Wartburg scored on four of its five red zone
opportunities.
The Gusties will next take on non-conference opponent Northwestern
Saturday, Sept. 18, at 1:00pm on Hollingsworth Field in St. Peter,
Minn.
