DULUTH, Minn. – The St. Scholastica football team held Gustavus Adolphus to 10 points over the final three quarters, but an early deficit proved too much to overcome in a 31-3 loss Saturday afternoon at Public Schools Stadium.
The Saints fell to 0-6 overall and 0-5 in MIAC play, while Gustavus improved to 4-2 overall and 3-2 in the conference.
Gustavus scored touchdowns on its first three possessions to build a 21-0 first-quarter lead. Quarterback Jacob Ginskey connected with Liam Frommelt for touchdown passes of four and 44 yards, with a 37-yard scoring run by Ginskey between the two.
St. Scholastica answered with a scoring drive that included a 32-yard completion from Elijah Adzimahe (Oakdale, MN/North St. Paul HS) to Nathan Behrens (Watertown, MN/Watertown-Mayer HS). Jack Schroeder (Fall Creek, WI/Regis High School) finished the possession with a 22-yard field goal four seconds into the second quarter to put the Saints on the board.
The CSS defense limited Gustavus to a field goal in the second quarter, sending the teams into halftime with the Gusties ahead 24-3. Gustavus added its final touchdown on a 10-yard pass from Ginskey to Walker Hennen with 5:45 remaining in the third quarter.
The Saints produced several defensive stops over the remainder of the afternoon. After a turnover gave Gustavus possession at the CSS 11-yard line, Isaac Johnson (St. Paul, MN/St. Paul Highland Park HS) recorded a 14-yard sack before John Lassila (Elk River, MN/Elk River HS) and Ben Blomberg (New Ulm, MN/New Ulm Cathedral HS) combined for another sack on the next play. Maximilian Neaves (Waseca, MN/Waseca HS) then blocked a 38-yard field goal attempt to keep the Gusties from adding to their lead.
In the fourth quarter, Siam Newman (Somerset, WI/Somerset High School) forced a fumble that Gustavus recovered, then stopped Hennen for a one-yard loss on fourth-and-one to end another scoring threat.
Johnson led St. Scholastica with eight tackles, a sack and two quarterback hurries. Connor Plumley (Olivia, MN/Bold HS) added seven tackles, while Logan Flaa (St. Paul, MN/Tartan HS) and Blomberg each finished with six. Blomberg recorded 1.5 sacks as CSS totaled three sacks and six tackles for loss.
Offensively, Behrens caught three passes for a team-high 54 yards, and Jeremiah Jackson (Minneapolis, MN/Minneapolis North High School) led the Saints with six receptions for 39 yards. Blake Fox (Somerset, WI/Somerset High School) rushed for 32 yards on four carries, including a 30-yard gain on fourth down. Adzimahe finished with 95 passing yards and 26 rushing yards.
Gustavus held a 363-218 advantage in total offense. Ginskey threw for 237 yards and three touchdowns, while Frommelt finished with eight catches for 114 yards and two scores.
St. Scholastica hosts St. Olaf for Homecoming on Saturday, Oct. 24, with kickoff scheduled for 1 p.m.
