SAINT PETER, Minn. – The Gustavus Adolphus College football team hosted the Hamline University Pipers on Saturday afternoon for its Hall of Fame game at Hollingsworth Field. The Gusties scored five touchdowns in the first half and went on to defeat the Pipers 55-7, improving to 5-2 overall this fall and 4-2 in the MIAC. At halftime, the
nine new inductees of the Gustavus Hall of Fame were recognized and celebrated for their achievements.
Gustavus received the opening kickoff and marched down the field for a touchdown on its first possession of the game.
Liam Frommelt opened the drive with a 23-yard run to move the Gusties into Hamline territory.
Dylan Blount later connected with
Walker Hennen for a 12-yard completion on a 3rd and 5 before finding
Jacob Ginskey for 14 yards to set Gustavus up at the Hamline 11-yard line. Blount capped off the seven-play, 65-yard drive with a two-yard touchdown pass to
Jordan Wold to give the Gusties an early 7-0 lead.
After forcing the Pipers to punt on their next two possessions, Gustavus added another touchdown late in the opening quarter. Blount connected with Frommelt for a 54-yard completion down to the Hamline eight-yard line before finding Wold for his second touchdown reception of the game, this time from eight yards out.
Jack Sieben converted the extra point to put the Gusties ahead 14-0 with 1:32 remaining in the first quarter.
The Gustie defense came up with a key turnover midway through the second quarter as
Tristan Johnsrud forced a fumble on a Hamline rushing attempt, which was recovered by
Max Olson at the Gustavus 29-yard line. The Gusties capitalized on the turnover with a six-play, 71-yard touchdown drive. Blount completed passes of 11 and seven yards to Frommelt before connecting with
Brayden Sturm for six yards on a 3rd and 3. Blount then found Frommelt for a 40-yard touchdown pass to extend the Gustavus lead to 21-0 with 4:53 remaining in the half.
The Gustavus defense forced another Hamline punt, giving the offense possession at its own 44-yard line with 3:14 remaining in the second quarter. The Gusties put together a seven-play, 56-yard drive highlighted by a 17-yard completion from Blount to Sturm on a 3rd and 7. Blount finished the drive with a 12-yard touchdown pass to Ginskey, giving Gustavus a 28-0 advantage with 34 seconds remaining before halftime.
The Gusties weren't finished scoring in the opening half as
Carson Boike intercepted a Hamline pass on the Pipers' next possession and returned it six yards to the Hamline 35-yard line. On the very next play, Blount connected with Frommelt for a 35-yard touchdown pass to give Gustavus a commanding 35-0 lead heading into halftime.
Gustavus continued its momentum to begin the second half as
Hurley Vollertsen blocked a Hamline punt on the Pipers' opening possession of the third quarter.
Ben O'Neil recovered the blocked punt and returned it four yards to the Hamline 11-yard line, setting up the Gustie offense with excellent field position. Hennen carried the ball on three consecutive plays, finishing the drive with a one-yard touchdown run to put Gustavus ahead 42-0 with 12:33 remaining in the third quarter.
Hamline got on the scoreboard midway through the third quarter after Daylen Cummings connected with Ty Burgoon for a 67-yard touchdown pass, cutting the Gustavus lead to 42-7.
The Gusties responded immediately with another touchdown drive of their own. Hennen opened the possession with runs of two and 11 yards before Blount launched a 62-yard touchdown pass to Frommelt. The score marked Frommelt's third receiving touchdown of the afternoon and Blount's sixth passing touchdown of the game, extending the Gustavus advantage to 49-7 with 3:33 remaining in the third quarter.
Hamline threatened to add points late in the third quarter, driving down to the Gustavus 13-yard line. However, the Gustie defense held strong as
Cody Bartnes stopped Cummings for a one-yard loss on third down before Olson blocked a 31-yard field goal attempt to keep the Pipers off the scoreboard.
Gustavus added its final touchdown of the afternoon on a drive that began late in the third quarter and continued into the fourth.
Kyler Kelvie took over at quarterback and helped lead the Gusties on an 11-play, 81-yard drive that consumed 7:18 of game time.
Alex Gross contributed runs of 12 and nine yards to move Gustavus into Hamline territory before Kelvie connected with
Owen Watson for a three-yard touchdown pass. The score gave Gustavus a 55-7 lead with 7:42 remaining in the game.
The Pipers put together one final drive, reaching the Gustavus seven-yard line late in the fourth quarter. However, the Gustie defense came up with another stop on fourth down, allowing the offense to run out the remaining clock and secure the 55-7 victory.
Blount finished the afternoon completing 21 of 32 passes for 370 yards and six touchdowns. Kelvie went a perfect 4-for-4 for 35 yards and a touchdown as the Gustavus quarterbacks combined for 405 passing yards and seven touchdowns. Frommelt led the receiving corps with six receptions for 209 yards and three touchdowns while also adding 26 rushing yards. Ginskey finished with six receptions for 83 yards and a touchdown, while Wold caught three passes for 23 yards and two touchdowns. Hennen led the Gustie rushing attack with 51 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries, while Gross added 41 yards on nine attempts.
On defense,
Drew Kretlow led Gustavus with six total tackles, while Bartnes,
Chance Swansson, and Boike each recorded five tackles. Boike also added an interception and a tackle for loss, while
Brett DeRoo finished with three tackles, a sack, and two pass breakups. Johnsrud forced a fumble, Olson recovered a fumble and blocked a field goal, and Vollertson recorded a blocked punt. The Gustie defense held Hamline to 56 rushing yards and recorded seven tackles for loss while forcing two turnovers.
Up next for Gustavus is a trip up to Collegeville for a showdown with the No. 3 nationally ranked Saint John's University Johnnies on Saturday, October 31 at 1:00 p.m.
