STORM LAKE, Iowa (September 4, 2021) - After not having played an official game in nearly two years, the Buena Vista University football team chalked up nearly 600 yards of total offense but that still didn't prove to be enough on Saturday night as the Beavers fell in a massive offensive shootout to visiting Gustavus Adolphus, 80-58, under the lights inside of J. Leslie Rollins Stadium.

Senior Eric Pacheco had yet another huge individual performance for the Beavers, hauling in a pair of receiving touchdowns to go along with one on the ground, and became the program's all-time leader in receiving yards.  He finished his night with 210 yards on 10 receptions and surpassed Jalen Henningsen's previous mark of 3,005 yards set back in 2016.  If not for a holding penalty, Pacheco would have added to his highlight reel with a 96-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.

Pacheco was hauling in passes all night from sophomore quarterback Brandon Kyles, who had a strong collegiate debut. He finished 30-of-52 with 437 yards and four touchdowns despite also being intercepted three times.  His 30 completions are tied for fourth-most in a single-game in BVU history while his 52 attempts sit just four shy of that record.  His 437 yards, meanwhile, are the third-most by a Beaver quarterback for a single-game all-time.  And that doesn't even include what he did with his legs, scampering for 117 net yards on 16 attempts while finding the end zone twice.  His 554 total yards of offense sets a new program record, breaking the previous mark of 478 set by Cole Miller in 2017.

Senior Dylan Laughlin also hauled in a pair of receiving touchdowns for the Beavers while Emanuel Alaniz added a rushing score for his first collegiate touchdown.

"Offensively it was an explosive night with a lot of great effort from our guys," said BVU head coach Grant Mollring. "We were able to execute in a variety of ways that kept us in the game and within one score with three minutes to play. We are disappointed in our last three possessions that ended in turnovers but a lot of progress was shown tonight."

On the other side, the Gusties were just as effective with the offense, raking up 300 yards on the ground and 635 yards overall.  The two teams combined for 52 first downs.

Kyles got the scoring started just minutes into the game when he went right up the middle on a designed keeper for a 75-yard score.  After the Gusties responded to take a 7-6 lead, BVU stormed right back with Alaniz's one-yard plunge before getting a Ramon Garcia 17-yard field goal to build a 16-7 cushion.  Gustavus Adolphus was able to put up one more score in the opening period to pull within 16-14 at the break.

The Gusties went on to outscore BVU 24-14 in the half, including a 24-yard field goal as time expired in the opening half to cling to a 38-30 halftime lead.

Gustavus Adolphus opened up a 66-41 lead and appeared to be in control, but the Beavers did have life in them, roaring back to within 66-58 with 5:15 still to play after Pacheco hauled in a 24-yard touchdown pass from Kyles.  BVU was able to get the ball back deep in its own territory looking to drive down the field and possibly force overtime, but the Gusties got a big pick-six from 15 yards out which ultimately sealed the deal.

Fifth-year quarterback, Michael Veldman, who threw for nearly 40 touchdowns in 2019, picked up where he left off by passing for 335 yards and five scores while completing 20-of-34 attempts.  BVU was able to intercept him three times as Tre Ortman recorded two and Jalen Moore added the other.  David Peal led the Gusties on the ground with 160 yards and three scores.

"Defensively we will need to look at a few things that we were unable to execute on a consistent basis," Mollring added. "We were able to get turnovers but lacked pressure on the quarterback. I know our guys on that side of the ball are frustrated and I know the growth potential that exists. We will get back on track, I firmly believe that." 

Tanner Frost led the charge, defensively, for BVU, posting nine solo tackles as Brady mcConaty added six.

BVU (0-1) will be under the lights again next Saturday when the team travels up to the University of Northwestern (Minn.) for a 6:00 p.m. contest against the Eagles.