MENOMONIE, Wis. — After a week off, the Gustavus football team closed out its non-conference schedule with a 24-7 loss at University of Wisconsin-Stout.
The Blue Devils held the Gusties scoreless through the first half, before a 47-yard touchdown pass from
George Sandven (Edina, Minn.) to
Jake Breitbach (Golden Valley, Minn.) got the Gusties on the board in the third quarter. Sandven connected with six different receivers for 352 yards, as Breitbach posted his second consecutive 200-yard receiving game. Breitbach finished the game with 15 catches, 224 yards, and the Gusties' only touchdown.
The first quarter started with both teams scoreless through their first possessions. The Blue Devils struck first nine minutes into the opening frame with a four-yard touchdown run, capping a seven-play, 70-yard drive.
In their first possession of the second quarter, Stout started with a nine-play 40-yard drive but the Gustie defense stopped the drive on the 26-yard line, forcing a 43-yard field goal for a 10-0 Blue Devil lead.
The Stout defense stopped Sandven and the Gustie offense for four plays in the second quarter.
Myshawn King (Houston, Texas) forced a Stout fumble to regain possession at the end of the second quarter, but the Gustie offensive hopes were dashed in the next possession as the Blue Devils forced a punt after three plays to end the half.
Stout started the third quarter with a nine-play 80-yard drive and a six-yard touchdown run by the Blue Devils' Arthur Cox to make the score 17-0.
Two possessions later, after forcing a punt, the Gusties put together a six-play 79-yard drive for their only score of the game. Sandven found Breitbach for a 47-yard touchdown pass to make the score 17-7 heading into the final quarter. Stout went 86 yards in three plays for the game's final touchdown to make the score 24-7 in the fourth quarter.
The Blue Devils outgained the Gusties 457-395 in total yards. The Gusties won the time of possession battle 32:00-28:00.
Sandven finished the day 26-of-44 for 352 yards and one touchdowns. The Stout defense held the Gusties' ground attack at bay, as Gustavus managed only 43 rushing yards.
Carson DeKam (Owatonna, Minn.) paced the defense with 14 tackles, followed by
Isaiah Chambers (Houston, Texas) with nine and
Andrey Denson (El Paso, Texas) with seven. King added four stops, a sack, and 1.5 tackles for loss.
"It was a tough day for our team," said Head Coach
Peter Haugen. "We did not play as sharp as we need to in all phases of the game. We had some bright spots but not consistent enough to put ourselves in a position to win. Stout deserves a lot of credit today. They were physical and executed well. We will get back to work Monday to begin preparing for Augsburg next weekend."
Gustavus, with the loss, falls to 1-1 on the season heading into MIAC play next week. The Gusties will host Augsburg next Saturday for Homecoming at 1 p.m. at Hollingsworth Field.
