The Gustavus Adolphus football team began its season on a high note with a 35-26 win over Simpson College. This year is the first year since 2008 that the team has won their first game of the season.

The second game was a 26-24 loss to Augsburg College. The team then played St. Olaf and lost with a score of 17-14.

The football team received its first MIAC win over Hamline University, improving Gustavus to 2-2 standing, and 1-2 standing in the MIAC.

The team traveled to play St. Thomas at O’Shaunessey Stadium on Saturday, October 6, losing with a score of 28-14.

The 2012 Homecoming game will be against Valley City State University on Saturday, Oct. 13 at 1:30 p.m. at Hollingsworth Field.

In the past, the Gustavus football team has suffered from some heartbreaking Homecoming losses, but according to Senior Captain Muresuk Mena, this year the team has more hope.

“We will prepare as much as possible. I think this year is going to be a different story because we have a different team, and I think it should be a really exciting homecoming game,” Mena said.

Head Coach Peter Haugan stated that Valley City State University is not a team that the football team traditionally plays.

“They play in the NAIA as opposed to the NCAA.  The NAIA gives athletic scholarships unlike NCAA division three. We expect this game to be a competitive one,” Haugan said.

Haugan also pointed out that the team is very motivated and ready to take on a challenge.

“Our team is led by our four captains who have done a great job keeping our players focused. Our team has shown strong character this year. We have embraced the adversity that has come our way, and we are a group of players and coaches who are committed to each other,” Haugan said.

Junior Captain Torey Asao explained that this year the team has a great attitude and is looking forward to representing

Gustavus. With such close losses, the team is supporting one another and focusing on their number one goal: winning.

“We have lost a few close games, but we are moving on. We have a lot of talent and we are a really good football team so we want to show that at Homecoming. We are going to give ‘em all we’ve got.” Asao said.

The Gustavus football team had a close game in 2009, winning within the last seconds with a score of 34-33.  The team has not had a Homecoming victory since then. With a total of two wins this year, and a few other close games, the athletes seem determined to win on their own turf.

Homecoming History

2003: The Gustavus football team recorded a 28-7 Homecoming victory over Augsburg College in St. Peter. 

2004: Gustavus Adolphus College was defeated by Concordia College with a score of 42-27. The team fell to 0-4 overall and 0-3 in the MIAC.

2005: The football team was victorious over Augsburg College with a score of 42-27. The teams played in St. Peter at Lloyd Hollingsworth Field, improved to 1-5 overall and 1-3 in the MIAC.

2006: Gustavus lost to Bethel University with a score of 40-0. The Gusties fell to 2-3 overall and 1-3 in the MIAC.

2007: The Gustavus football team lost 40-0 to St. John’s University. The team had only 133 yards of total offense. The 2007 Homecoming game marked the third loss in a row and caused the Gusties to fall to 3-3 overall and 2-3 in the MIAC.

2008: Gustavus was defeated by the University of St. Thomas. The score of the Homecoming game was 30-22.  The Gusties dropped to 2-2 overall and 1-2 in the MIAC.

2009 : Gustavus scored within the last 12 seconds of the game, and defeated Pacific Lutheran University with a score of 34-33. The Gusties won their Homecoming after three consecutive Homecoming losses.

2010: The Gustavus Football team was defeated 19-14 by St. Olaf College. Gustavus fell to 1-2 overall and 0-1 in the MIAC.

2011: The team had its fourth straight loss of the season to Concordia College with a score of 37-20. 2011 marked the third time Concordia had defeated Gustavus in a Gustavus vs. Concordia Homecoming matchup.