St. Peter, MN. – On October 12, the St. Scholastica Saints traveled to St. Peter, Minnesota, to face Gustavus Adolphus College in a challenging Homecoming game. Despite a determined effort on both sides of the ball, the Saints fell short, with a final score of 50-13.
How It Happened
First Quarter
The Saints' defense was tested early as Gustavus scored on a long 68-yard pass during their first drive. However, St. Scholastica regrouped quickly, with linebacker Samuel Haug (Brooklyn Park, MN) stepping up to make key tackles. On the next possession, Donald West (St. Paul, Minn./Woodbury HS (Iowa Central)) connected with Ricky Weber (Roseville, Minn./Roseville HS) for an eight-yard gain, showing early signs of offensive rhythm. West followed up with a crucial seven-yard scramble for a first down, keeping the drive alive. Though the Saints' drive stalled, they held Gustavus to a field goal after a blocked punt, a testament to their defensive resilience. At the end of the quarter, the Saints were behind 10-0 but were holding strong.
Second Quarter
The second quarter saw the Saints' defense continue to fight, with Austin Mundt (Deer River, Minn./Deer River HS) making key tackles and keeping Gustavus' running game in check. Despite the Gusties adding another touchdown, the Saints responded with some standout offensive plays. Nick Schlender (Stillwater, Minn./Stillwater HS) broke free for several important rushes, and West kept the offense moving with a sharp pass to Alec Ralph (Houston, TX) for a first down.
Late in the quarter, the Saints mounted an impressive drive. After a series of short completions and tough runs, West found Weber once again—this time on a 19-yard touchdown pass that capped a hard-fought 56-yard drive. Carter Bloom's (Elk River, MN) extra point made the score 31-7 at halftime, with the Saints showing flashes of their potential heading into the locker room.
Third Quarter
The Saints came out determined in the third quarter. On defense, Haug and Maximilian Neaves (Waseca, Minn./Waseca HS) teamed up for key stops, limiting Gustavus' explosive plays. West kept the offense moving with a strong connection to Weber, who had his second standout moment of the game, hauling in a 30-yard touchdown pass. This cut into the Gusties' lead, bringing the Saints back within striking distance at 38-13. The Saints' defense also continued to make big plays, with Austin Mundt (Deer River, Minn./Deer River HS) stepping up for consecutive tackles that stifled Gustavus' offensive momentum.
Fourth Quarter
In the final quarter, the Saints continued to press on. Alec Ralph (Houston, TX) made a spectacular 25-yard catch to keep a drive alive, while Weber continued his dominant performance with another crucial reception, pushing the Saints into the red zone. Despite falling short on the final drives, the Saints' offense showed their ability to move the ball effectively. Mundt and Haug continued to be standout performers on defense, ensuring that Gustavus worked hard for every yard.
Though the final score read 50-13, the Saints showcased their resilience, particularly through key contributions from Weber, West, and the defensive unit.
Up Next
The Saints will look to build on their strong moments when they travel to Northfield, Minnesota, to take on St. Olaf College on Saturday, October 19.
