NORTHFIELD, Minn. - The Gustavus football team earned its first win of the 2025 season in impressive fashion Saturday afternoon, defeating St. Olaf 35-21 in Northfield. The Gusties used big plays on both sides of the ball, including a first-quarter pick-six by Chance Swansson and four touchdown passes from Dylan Blount, to pull away from the Oles and secure their first conference victory.
 
After a pair of defensive stops to open the game, the Gusties broke through when Swansson jumped a route and returned an interception for a touchdown from 40 yards out, giving Gustavus a 7-0 lead midway through the first quarter. St. Olaf responded late in the period with a 44-yard field goal to make it 7-3 after one.
 
St. Olaf took its only lead of the game midway through the second quarter with a one-yard touchdown run to move ahead 10-7. Gustavus answered in the closing seconds of the half as Blount led a 10-play, 70-yard drive, capped by a six-yard touchdown pass to Dom Mathies as time expired, sending the Gusties into the locker room with a 14-10 advantage.
 
Late in the third quarter, a 20-yard punt return by Chance Swansson gave the Gusties great field position at the St. Olaf 44-yard line.  On the first play of the series, Blount connected with Caden Kleinschmidt for a 44-yard touchdown pass, extending the Gustavus lead to 21-10.
 
Blount and Kleinschmidt linked up again early in the fourth, this time from 25 yards out, to stretch the Gustavus lead to 28-10. St. Olaf responded with a touchdown and a two-point conversion, then added a field goal to close the gap to 28-21 with just over six minutes remaining.
 
Facing third-and-nine near midfield with under three minutes to play, the Gusties slammed the door when Blount found Walker Hennen down the sideline for a 54-yard touchdown, sealing the 35-21 victory.
 
Blount turned in his best performance of the season, completing 22-of-37 passes for 333 yards and four touchdowns. Kleinschmidt led all receivers with seven catches for 136 yards and two scores, while Hennen added 86 yards and a touchdown on two receptions.
 
The Gustavus defense came up clutch with three interceptions, including Swansson's pick-six. Eric Lyons Jr. and Ethan Bartell paced the defense with 10 tackles apiece.
 
The Gusties return home next Saturday, Oct. 18, for a matchup against St. Scholastica at Hollingsworth Field. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.
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