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Oles lose last game to Gusties 51-21

Matt Johnson
November 12, 2001

The St. Olaf football team closed out their season with a disappointing loss to Gustavus Adolphus College 51-21 on Saturday in St. Peter, Minn. The Oles finished their season with a respectable 6-4 record, 5-4 in the MIAC, as the Gusties finished 7-3 overall and 6-3 in MIAC play.

Gustavus got out of the blocks early and never looked back. The Gusties rattled off 37 unanswered points in the first half of play behind Joe Thorvig?s 252 yards passing, three touchdown passes, five catches for 96 yards, and two receiving touchdowns. Andy Traetow had 115 yards, two rushing touchdowns and Curt Baldus scored four extra points and one field goal, while holding the Ole offense to just 90 total yards.

The Oles finally got something going in the second half, as sophomore quarterback Brian Senske (Apple Valley, Minn.), connected with wideout Brian Sprout (Sr., Lake City, Minn.) for an 18 yard touchdown, concluding an 11 play, 73 yard drive to open up the half. Gustavus then countered with a five-play 52-yard drive that was capped off by Thorvig?s 14-yard strike to Hoag in the corner of the endzone. The Oles kept pace, jumping on the back of running back Manuel Spreigl (Sr., South St. Paul, Minn.), who accounted for 38 yards and the resulting touchdown of the 10 play, 53-yard drive. Gustavus answered back once again, with a six play, 49-yard drive that Thorvig ended with a 10-yard touchdown pass to Chris Greavu. The Oles finally finished off the scoring when Spreigl rushed for an 18-yard touchdown, capping a six play, 46-yard drive.

The Gustie offense rolled up 556 total yards to score 51 points. Thorvig threw for 309 yards and five touchdowns, three of which went to Hoag, who finished with six catches for 110 yards. Traetow rushed for 157 yards and two scores on the day, and Chris Geaveau caught four passes for 51 yards and two touchdowns. Spreigl, who went over 3000 yards rushing for his career with a 141-yard and a two-touchdown performance, led the Oles. Brian Sprout led all Ole receivers with seven catches for 62 yards and a score, while teammate Steve Ryan (Sr., South St. Paul, Minn.), chipped in with 44 yards on four catches. Also John McNamara (So, Mahtomedi, Minn.) had 137 yards in kickoff returns.

On the defensive side, linebacker Matt Lafferty (Jr., Apple Valley, Minn.) led the Oles in tackles with 11, while defensive backs Dan Meyers (Jr., Cannon Falls, Minn.) and Chad Thomas (Jr., Menomonie, Wis.) had nine tackles and two passes deflected apiece.

The Oles will loose several key players to graduation this year: quarterback Joe Hammond (Niellsville, Wis.); receivers Brian Sprout, Steve Ryan, Jake Rath (Apple Valley, Minn.), Sam Schutz (Rochester, Minn.) and Zach Kent (Colorado Springs, Colo.); running backs Manuel Spreigl, Kevin Clausen (Pierson, Iowa), and Cordell Hunkins (Apple Valley, Minn.); tight ends Mark Davies (Richfield, Minn.) and John Eickhoff (Fairmont, Minn.); offensive linemen Jeff Flugum (Apple Valley, Minn.), Jake Landsteiner (New Ulm, Minn.), Rob Ward (Rochester, Minn.), Matt Keller (Eagan, Minn.), and Paden Hendricksen (Minneapolis, Minn.); defensive backs Cory Dingles (Gibbon, Minn.), Doug Wolgamont (Mahtomedi, Minn.), Matt Hoffkens (Neenah, Wis.), and Shane Vatland (Mabel, Minn.); linebacker Darren Best (Bloomington, Minn.);defensive linemen Courtney Moseman (Hastings, Minn.), Mike Hoagberg (Apple Valley, Minn.), Shane Tretsven (St. Croix Falls, Wis.), and James Struble (Sparta, Wis.); and kicker Karl Moen (Hendricks, Minn.).

The Oles will not be without experience going into next year however, as they have returning starters at several key positions. Returning on special teams are place kicker Sean Koomen (So., Mankato, Minn.) and punter Nate Johnson (Menomonie, Wis.). On offense, sophomore Brian Senske and junior Jeff Schmidt (Bloomer, Wis.) return at quarterback. Receivers Matt Dean (Fy., Apple Valley, Minn.) and Neal Olson (Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.) have seen significant playing time as has wingback/ receiver Matt Johnson (Fy., Richfield, Minn.). Offensive tackle Tilman Achberger (So., Northfield, Minn.) and center Charlie Krois (Fy., Elk River, Minn.) will return to anchor a young Ole offensive line. Cordell Hunkins (Jr., Apple Valley, Minn.) and Dennis Wambauch (So., Lake Oswego, Ore.) return at the fullback position, while Tim Baer (Ettrick, Wis.) has seen quality time at tailback. Chad Thomas returns for the Oles at free safety, while Reggie Fuller (Maple Lake, Minn.), should help out at strong safety. Fuller was the slated starter before injuring his knee in the preseason. Corners David Chapman (Fy., Rochester, Minn.) and Matt Willis (Des Moines, Ia.) have game experience, as does razorback Brad Baglein (So., Mounds View, Minn.). The linebacker corps return All-American Matt Lafferty, Dan Meyers, and Bill Germscheid (So., Apple Valley, Minn.), while Kipp Pennau (So., Fon du Lac, Wis.) has seen a lot of action. The defensive line returns just one starter in sophomore Dusty Powers (Minnetonka, Minn.). However, Jared Moen (Hendricks, Minn.) and Decker Walker (So., West Lafayette, Ind.) have seen the field often.

Contact Judy Stromayer at 507-786-3315 or stromaye@stolaf.edu.