After nine strong games, the Golden Gusties will play their last game of the season on Nov. 14 against their infamous rivals, the St. Thomas Tommies. With over 10,000 students, the University of St. Thomas operates as Minnesota’s largest private non-profit university and one of the Gustavus football team’s largest competitors.

The Golden Gusties have had a strong season and despite a few tough games, the team has continued to challenge themselves and battle through the highs and lows. With a dynamic offense and hardworking defense, it is no surprise that the team started out the season 6-0.

“It’s a game where you can test how good you really are compared to one of the best teams in the country.”
– Gabe Boyce

To finish off the season, the Gusties will face St. Thomas on the team’s Senior Day. “The Tommies are a team similar to Saint Johns that has a rivalry with everyone because they’ve been the best for a short time now and everyone looks forward to playing them,” Senior quarterback Mitch Hendricks said. After three years playing for the Golden Gusties, Hendricks looks forward to playing St. Thomas for the final game of the season.

“It’s fun to play in these rivalry games, especially with this one being the last game in my career,” Hendricks said.

Gustie-Tommie games are a chance for Gustavus to face off against the largest division school III in the state.“It’s a game where you can test how good you really are compared to one of the best teams in the country,” Senior wide receiver Gabe Boyce said.

With a 9-0 record, the Tommies are the top competition of many Division III colleges, including Gustavus.

“The last time we played St. Thomas at home was an incredibly hard fought game. In the end we came up a bit short but it instilled a sense of confidence in us that we have all the tools to take on and beat the top teams in the nation at the D3 level,” Senior defensive back Nick Frandsen said. Many players have fond memories of playing St. Thomas.

“My freshman year I caught my very first pass versus St. Thomas and that was where my career started,” Senior wide receiver Matthew Boyce said.

For the first time in two years, the Gusties will host the Tommies at home in the last game of the season.

“My freshman year I caught my very first pass versus St. Thomas and that was where my career started.”
– Matthew Boyce

The Gusties are lead by head coach Peter Haugen in his seventh year at Gustavus. A native of Minneapolis, Haugen was the head coach at Washburn High School for 15 years prior to coaching at Gustavus. In that time, he produced an overall record of 111-44, also winning 11 league championships and posting a league record of 76-8. Haugen became the 17th head coach at Gustavus in 2009 and since then, has received four all-conference selections.

“We build the program around young men who want to grow as leaders, who are committed to their academics and who have a passion to serve others,” head coach Peter Haugen said.

Alongside five core assistant coaches, Haugen leads the program with a unique mindset that encompasses competition, passion and commitment.

“We build the program around young men who want to grow as leaders, who are committed to their academics and who have a passion to serve others”
– Peter Haugen

For Haugen, the best coaching moments come from the moments nobody really sees when leadership takes hold in his players and he begins to see significant growth in them as people and as athletes.

The Gustie-Tommie face-off always brings a large crowd and this game should be no different. With a 7-2 record, the Gusties will face the undefeated Tommies on Nov.14 in what is sure to be another monumental game.