SAINT PETER, Minn. - Gustavus football got back in the win column Saturday with a convincing 51-13 victory over St. Scholastica, improving to 3-2 overall and 2-1 in the MIAC. Jake Breitbach became the program's all-time receiving leader, passing Matthew Boyce '16 for the record and now has 3,310 career receiving yards, which currently ranks sixth in MIAC history. 

"Jake means so much to our program," Head Coach Peter Haugen said. "We talk about one of the most dynamic players that's every played football here. To surpass a record set by Matthew is quite an honor for him and we're really proud of him and his teammates for being part of that effort. He is so good at what he does and he is a tremendous leader."

The Gusties started the scoring right away as River Wood took the second play of the game 68 yards into the end zone on a pass from Jacob Ginskey, who got his first career start as a freshman.  The defense stood tall on the ensuing Saints possession and a blocked punt by Colton Loeschke eventually set up a 22-yard field goal by Jack Sieben. 

A three-yard punt on the next St. Scholastica possession gave the Gusties a short field and Wood reached pay dirt from nine yards out for a 17-0 lead late in the first quarter. The Gusties went up 24-0 early in the second on a 11-play, 67-yard scoring drive that ended on a 12-yard touchdown pass from Ginskey to Breitbach. 

The Saints ended the shutout on the following drive, scoring on a 19-yard touchdown pass, but the Gusties answered with a 12-play, 83-yard drive, capped by an eight-yard touchdown run by Ginskey and the Gusties carried a 31-7 lead into the locker room at half. 

Gustavus took a 38-7 lead midway through the third quarter on a 20-yard touchdown pass from Ginskey to Jordan Wold. Three possessions later, the Saints scored their second touchdown of the game, this time on a 30-yard pass, making the score 38-13 at the end of the third quarter. 

Wood punched in a goal line touchdown early in the fourth, while Walker Hennen scored the final touchdown of the game from three yards out late in the fourth. 

The Gusties out-gained the Saints 558-220 in total yards, using a run-heavy approach with 271 yards on the ground. Wood led the rushing attack with 187 yards on 23 carries and two touchdowns. He also caught four passes for 85 yards and a score, accounting for 272 all-purpose yards. 

In his first collegiate start, Ginskey completed 15-of-25 passes for 271 yards and three touchdowns. Breitbach was the leading receiver with seven catches for 122 yards and a score. 

Taylor Stroh and Jack Klug led the defensive effort with seven tackles each. Max Olson had two sacks, while Nolan Perry added an interception. Javier Gratacos came up with a fumble recovery as the Gusties were in the shadow of their own goalpost. St. Scholastica entered the game leading the MIAC with 184.8 rushing yards per game and the Gustie defense held the Saints to just 28 yards on the ground. 

Gustavus hits the road next Saturday for a conference game at Macalester. 
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