Everyone seems to agree that Manitou Hill was a pretty happening place last weekend. There was the home opener for the hockey team, a major social occasion for any Ole. Bill Bradley, Kristen Gore, and a host of others spoke on Buntrock plaza, offering encouragement to Ole voters for Tuesdays elections.

And to top it off, the hard-rapping Busta Rhymes filled Skoglund with chants of "woo- hah," among others for the many enthused hip-hop fans. Yep, the action was definitely fast and furious on the Hill this weekend.

But as some of you may have noticed, there was a little something missing from the festivities. Oh yeah, almost forgot. The St. Olaf football team had a game. So as Oles cheered at the hockey game, debated politics on the plaza, and danced at the concert, the football team made their way to the Metrodome for a showdown with Gustavus Adolphus College before a largely empty stadium of 60,000+ seats.

While the stadium itself was relatively empty, the game was anything but. The Oles entered the contest 6-2 and in third place in the MIAC. Gustavus on the other hand came in sporting a 4-4 record overall, yet found themselves only a game behind the Oles in the conference standings. The stage was set for some serious fireworks. And the game did not disappoint.

Unfortunately, after a combined 891 yards of offense, eight touchdown passes and 73 points of offense, the Oles found themselves on the short end of a 45-28 outcome.

"It was frustrating," commented junior tight end Marc Davies, "we didn't make the plays when we really needed to."

Yet to say that the Oles didn't make any plays would be a vast understatement. First year quarterback Brian Senske continued to impress, completing 18-30 passes for 229 yards and three touchdowns. Junior wide receiver Steve Ryan caught nine passes for 118 yards and two touchdowns, and junior tail back Manny Spreigl rushed for 103 yards on 21 carries.

Defensively, junior linebacker Matt Lafferty made 14 tackles while sophomore Dan Meyers chipped in 11.

But on this day, the Gusties, behind nearly flawless performances by quarterback Joe Thorvig and running back Andy Traetow, were simply unstoppable. Traetow, running hard from the first snap, rushed for 101 yards on 21 carries while Thorvig completed 13 of 16 for 284 yards and five touchdowns. Each time the Oles got close, Traetow and Thorvig churned out amazing play after amazing play.

And although the Oles moved the ball effectively throughout the evening, it wasn't enough to upend the powerful Gusties.

Nevertheless, the Oles feel very good about this coming Saturday. Why, you may ask? To put it succinctly, the Goat will be up for grabs again. That's right, the Oles and Knights will meet for the 78th time in series history at Carleton College's Laird Stadium to once again determine the Goat's home for the next year. Yet, this years game holds even more important implications for both teams.

For the Oles, should they win, this year's seniors would become the first class to win the Goat four straight years since 1980. For the Knights, it will be the end of an era, as long time head coach Bob Sullivan has announced his retirement following the season. Both teams will be fired up and it should make for a memorable meeting come Saturday.

"They're going to be ready to go because of Sullivan's retirement," said junior wide receiver Jake Rath. "But we'll also definitely pick it up this week."

Whatever the outcome, you can bet the game will be hotly contested from the opening kickoff. And with so much on the line, this weekends game should add yet another memorable chapter to the rich St. Olaf-Carleton football tradition.