COLLEGEVILLE, Minn. - Gustavus football suffered a decisive 34-0 loss at No. 3 Saint John's on Saturday, dropping to 4-3 overall and 3-2 in the MIAC. After a competitive first half with a 7-0 score at the break, the third-ranked Johnnies added four second half touchdowns to remain undefeated at 7-0 (5-0 MIAC). 
 
The Gusties struggled to get their offense going as they were limited to 126 total yards on 58 plays (2.17 average), while the Johnnies finished with 458 total yards, including 338 yards through the air.
 
Both teams held strong on defense throughout the first half. The Johnnies forced the Gusties to punt on all six drives in the opening 30 minutes, while conceding just 58 total yards.
 
The Gustie defense forced four Johnnie punts in the half with a missed 34-yard field goal. Saint John's then found a rhythm on its fifth possession of the game, scoring with 2:20 left in the half after going 82 yards in 16 plays for a 7-0 lead. Myshawn King and Max Olson were disruptive in the backfield as King extended his team lead with a pair of sacks, while Olson added another.
 
Saint John's came out firing to start the third quarter, scoring on its second play of the half with a 76-yard touchdown pass for a 14-0 lead. After a Gustie three-and-out, the Johnnies extended their lead to 21-0 after an eight-play, 69-yard scoring drive with 9:34 left in the third quarter.
 
After an interception, the Johnnies were threatening to take a four-possession lead, but Javier Gratacos recovered a fumble at the Gustie 11. Gustavus ensued with its longest drive of the game, eating up 7:34 on the clock on 13 plays, but was limited to 38 yards and allowed a sack on fourth-and-21.
 
The Johnnies put the game away on the following possession with a 49-yard scoring drive for a 27-0 lead with 6:18 left in the game. And with 1:49 on the clock, the Johnnies added another score to put a stamp on the convincing victory.
 
Jacob Ginskey started the first half at quarterback and completed 2-of-10 passes for 23 yards. George Sandven then played the second half, completing 6-of-10 passes for 42 yards and a pick. Jake Breitbach was the leading receiver with six catches for 60 yards. River Wood carried the ball 14 times for 40 yards, while De'Marion Brown added 10 rushes for 26 yards.
 
Carson DeKam led the defense with 12 stops as he continues to add to his career total of now 313 tackles. Taylor Stroh added 11 tackles out of the secondary. William Hawkins broke up three passes and had seven tackles.
 
Owen Forsythe punted a career-high nine times for 357 yards (39.7 average), with a long of 61.
 
Gustavus looks to regroup next Saturday at home, hosting St. Olaf for the annual Hall of Fame game.
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