Staff Writer- Katie Thomas
On Oct. 25th, the Gustavus Football Team delivered a sharp and commanding performance. The group of men took on and defeated the Hamline Pipers by a score of 63–9. The Gusties traveled to Hamline University and beat the Pipers on their home turf. They showed their explosive offensive power by scoring early and keeping that momentum throughout the game, but also stayed strong in their disciplined defense by limiting Hamline to only 9 points. This was one of their best games of the 2025 season.
From the opening kickoff, Gustavus controlled every part of the game, advancing to a big lead of 28-0 in the first quarter and counting to expand that lead throughout the game. Sophomore Quarterback Dylan Blount orchestrated an amazing opening drive that later led to a touchdown to set the tone of the game. Starting strong early in the game helped the Gusties create a lead that they sustained for the rest of the game. Before the first quarter ended, Gustavus had added three more touchdowns, capitalizing on Hamline’s mistakes and overwhelming the Pipers’ defensive line. Blount helped lead the offense throughout the first half. He finished the day with 239 passing yards and 4 total touchdowns. His ability to connect with Senior Wide Receiver Caden Kleinschmidt created many chances for Gustavus to score. This eventually led to Kleinschmidt catching a 69-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter that Hamline couldn’t defend. Kleinschmidt led all receivers with 119 yards, making Hamline struggle in defense. Running back, Senior Running Back Walker Britz, had 70 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns, repeatedly bursting through holes opened by Gustavus’s dominant offensive line. By halftime, the Gusties had 47 points and made for a promising second half.
While Gustavus’s offensive line worked very hard and gained the team many points, Gustavus’s defense played just as crucial a role in the win. The Gusties held Hamline to 187 total yards, including only 8 first downs the entire game. The defense applied harsh pressure that led to Hamline having three turnovers and forced Hamline’s quarterback to rush throws and hurried decisions. Hamline scored a touchdown in the first quarter, but it didn’t slow the Gusites down one bit. While the Gusties had a lead on Hamline for a large portion of the game, they never let up and continued to execute and perform throughout the whole game. After the 28-point first quarter, the Gusties brought this in the second, adding 19 more points to make it 47-7 at halftime. Senior Kicker/Punter Owen Forsythe kicked a 22-yard field goal in the third quarter, stretching the margin to 50-7, and two more touchdowns towards the end gave a 63-9 winning result for Gustavus.
First-year Wide Receiver Ronnie Brown was happy with his team’s performance against Hamline, “I think the team played really well, especially on defense, and that all started on Monday with our scout team. They did a great job giving us a solid look at what the other team was going to bring, which really helped us prepare,” Brown said.
He also described the heart and determination the team has. “You could feel the energy all week. Everyone was locked in and playing with a lot of heart. It wasn’t just about talent; it was about effort and believing in each other,” Brown said.
When asking Ronnie about his favorite parts of the game, he wanted to shout out two of his teammates: Senior Running Back Trevor Johnson, and First-year Wide Receiver Braydon Sturm: “One of the best moments for me was seeing Trevor get in the game and score a touchdown. He’s one of those guys who works hard every single day, even when he doesn’t get as many chances to see the field. To watch him get that moment and have the whole team rally around him was really special. And if I had to pick a favorite play, it would be seeing Braydon Sturm absolutely dominate as a blocker–he pancaked a defender and opened up a great running lane. It was the perfect example of the kind of physical, unselfish football we’ve been playing,” Brown said.
Gustavus’s 63-9 win against Hamline was a good game to watch and showed how well the team can play together. The Gusties showcased depth, talent, and hard work. They played strongly the whole game and never let up. Offensively and defensively, both sides did their part and contributed to the win. The Gusties play next against St. John’s University on Nov. 1st at 1:00 p.m. Good luck and go Gusties!