Staff Writer- Nathan Swanson
The Gustavus Football team concluded their season with an impressive victory at home last Saturday Nov. 15th, as they defeated the Macalester Scots 38-14. Saturday’s game was exciting for a multitude of reasons. It was Senior Day for the Gusties, which marked a ceremonial walk out for all the Seniors within the program along with their families. “It just means being part of a family man… They always have my back and just being able to share that last moment with them meant the most to me…,” Senior Eric Lyons Jr. said. Following the win Lyons Jr., a defensive back, would be named MIAC Football Defensive Player of the Week, as well as named to the D3football.com National Team of the Week. Lyons Jr. had 3 pass breakups and 7 total tackles made against the Scots. Late in the fourth quarter he would make a 100 yard interception return for a touchdown that would seal the victory for the Gusties. With the win Gustavus finished the season winning 5 of their last 6 games, and they were 5-4 in conference play in the MIAC as well as 5-5 with their overall record.
Gustavus would win the opening coin toss and choose to defer to the second half. Macalester, receiving the ball to start the game, would end up going three and out on their first drive resulting in a punt to Gustavus. Both teams would trade drives back and forth, until the Gusties found offensive momentum late in the first quarter on their third drive. They would punch it into the end zone with a 3 yard run from Sophomore running back Walker Hennen. This resulting score would come from a 14 play, 5 minute, 85 yard drive that started from the Gustavus 15-yard line. Following the touchdown the Gusties finished the first quarter up 7-0 against Macalester.
With 11:23 left in the second quarter, Gustavus would get the football at their own 20-yard line and go on an 80 yard touchdown drive. Sophomore quarterback Dylan Blount would complete a 37 yard deep ball from the Macalester 43-yard line. It whipped down the left side of the field and was caught by Liam Frommelt at the Macalester 6-yard line. In the red zone the Gusties would score on a touchdown pass as Blount found Senior Dom Mathies in the endzone. The score 14-0 Gustavus, the air attack would prove to be effective on that drive as Blount went 3-3 on passing attempts.
On Macalester’s next possession the Gusties defense forced a turnover. Senior defensive linebacker Myshawn King would get to Scots quarterback Jack Scully and force a fumble, which set up the Gustavus offense at the Macalester 27-yard line. The Gusties drive to end the half would end on a 20 yard field goal from Senior Owen Forsythe. Taking a 17-0 lead into halftime, the Gusties looked to continue their success heading into the second half.
Opening the second half, Gustavus received possession but they would go three and out and punt back to Macalester. Macalester would drive from their own 29-yard line and go 71 yards for their first touchdown of the game. From the Gustavus 4-yard line Scully would find Vasco Sierra in the end zone, making the score 17-6. On the Scots extra point attempt they would be flagged for delay of game, and moved back 5 yards to the 8-yard line which then resulted in a missed extra point. Macalester would kickoff back to Gustavus with the score remaining 17-6 Gusties. Gustavus’s next possession found the end zone again with a 15 yard touchdown pass as Blount connected with Senior receiver Caden Kleinshmidt. This led to the score increasing to 24-6 Gustavus concluding the end of the third quarter.
Starting the fourth quarter Macalester and Gustavus would take turns with possession and each go 3 and out. On Macalester’s second possession the Scots would string together another scoring drive and get into the endzone following a short redzone pass. The Scots would attempt for the two point conversion and Paxton Boyd would use his legs to convert and secure the successful two point conversion. With the score 24-14, the Gusties would make their longest pass play of the day on their next drive. Blount would find Kleinschmidt deep down the middle of the field for a rocket that would connect for 72 yards and give the Gusties a touchdown, taking just 11 seconds of game time off of the clock. The score swelled to 31-14 Gustavus. Macalester on their next drive would march the ball all the way down to the Gustavus 5-yard line with a chance to close Gustavus’s lead to 10 points. The defense for the Gusties was looking to get a stop. On first and 5 Scully threw the ball to the end zone looking for the score, and Lyons Jr. would make the play of his career. As the ball was picked off Lyons Jr. turned on the jets going the other way, and outran the entire Macalester team. As he flew down the field, crowd and sideline roaring, he would take it to the house for a pick 6.
Lyons Jr. discussed what the moment meant for him. “My last game and that interception, that’s probably the best memory… I just remember everybody coming to me with words of encouragement… It was just a good feeling to go and help my coaches for those are the guys that pushed me and wanted the very best out of me every week.” The interception by Lyons Jr. would be returned for a 100 yard score, making program history as it tied for the record of longest return for a touchdown. This tie would include Matt Diercks return against Augsburg in 2003.
Following the late touchdown the Gusties would end the game in victory with a 38-14 win against Macalester. With their season concluded they look ahead to the offseason and the training to come in preparation for next season. It meant a lot to build the winning streak through the last couple weeks and continue that momentum into the offseason. With the win over Macalester it was a day of celebrating the seniors and appreciating the work they had put into the program. “Really what it meant for me as a senior and just closing out my season was ending it off right and after everything I’ve talked about, everything I’ve worked hard for, it just shows that it pays off… You never know when your moments coming… just being able to finish out my last game was great,” Lyons Jr. said. While his playing career for Gustavus has concluded, he will always keep with him the emotion and gratitude he felt as he took it the distance and made the play of his career. “My last great play I’ve ever made at college was an interception, that’s something I’m going to live with forever.”