SAINT PETER, Minn. – The Gustavus football team ran for 403 yards in a 33-21 victory over Hamline on Saturday.
Rohee Konde (So., Hopkins) carried the load for the Gusties with 26 rushes for 207 yards and three touchdowns. The Gusties improve to 5-1 overall and 3-1 in the MIAC, while the Pipers drop to 3-3 overall and 1-3 in the league.
"Wins are really hard to come by and we did enough today to win the game," Head Coach
Peter Haugen said. "But the amount of penalties and the turnovers at inopportune times are things we have to get better at. We are certainly thankful for every win, but didn't play up to our standards today."
Hamline started the game with a touchdown on its opening drive, going 63 yards in five plays. After each team traded punts, the Gusties tied the score at the 4:46 mark of the first as
Jake Breitbach (So., Golden Valley) found a gap and ran 66 yards for the touchdown. The score remained 7-7 after the first quarter.
Gustavus forced the Pipers to punt on their first drive of the second quarter and the Gusties responded with a 12-play, 74-yard scoring drive capped by a four-yard touchdown rush by Konde. Both teams were unsuccessful in scoring on their next two drives and the Gusties carried a 14-7 lead into the locker room at half.
On the first drive of the second half, Konde scampered up the right sideline for a 38-yard touchdown run, putting the Gusties up 20-7. Hamline answered on the ensuing drive with a nine-play, 80-yard drive, finished with a 40-yard touchdown reception, cutting the Gustie lead to 20-14 with 9:14 left if the third.
The next Gustie drive stalled at the Hamline 12-yard line and
Andrew Abegglen (Jr., Mound) put a 29-yard field goal through the uprights for a 23-14 advantage at the 5:19 mark of the third. The Pipers returned the kickoff 52 yards, but
Peyton Churchward (Jr., Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.) forced a fumble, which was recovered by
William Hawkins (Fy., New Orleans, La.) at the Gustie 38. The Gusties made use of the turnover with a six-play, 62-yard drive, capped by Konde's third touchdown of the game for a 30-14 lead.
On the second Gustie possession of the fourth quarter, Abegglen made his second field goal of the day, this time from 36 yards out, for a 33-14 lead. Hamline responded on its next drive with a 10-play, 76-yard touchdown drive, but that would be it for scoring on the day.
The Gusties controlled the clock with 36:11 time of possession. Breitbach was the second leading rusher with 14 carries for 150 yards and a touchdown. He completed 10-of-20 passes for 158 yards and an interception.
Ethan Sindelir (Sr., Wells) was the top receiving target with four catches for 88 yards.
Isaak Knutson (Jr., Dodge Center) led the defense with 10 tackles.
Ezekiel Sundberg (Sr., Lakewood, Colo.) tallied his fourth interception of the season. The Gustie defense held the Pipers to 246 total yards.
Gustavus hosts Saint John's next Saturday afternoon. The Johnnies (6-0, 4-0 MIAC) beat St. Olaf 56-0 today.
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