ST. PETER, Minn. (Sept. 2, 2023) - Gustavus Adolphus chalked up 583 yards of offense while holding Buena Vista to 129, and the Gusties used the explosive attack to hand the Beavers a 51-7 loss in the season opener for both teams on Saturday morning.

Gustavus, which received votes in the D3football.com Preseason Top-25, scored a pair of first quarter touchdowns to build a 13-0 lead before adding on two more in the second stanza to lead 27-0 at the half. Buena Vista, despite struggling to sustain a drive in the opening quarter, had a chance to cut the early 13-point deficit in half, forcing a Gustavus fumble inside of the Gusties 35-yard line. The Beavers, however were forced to turn the ball over on downs to start the second quarter.

BVU had a second scoring opportunity late in the first half, taking over inside of the Gustavus 40-yard line following a short 31-yard punt. Quarterback Zach Herra was intercepted in the end zone on a pass intended for Isaia Morones with just over one minute remaining. Gustavus was able to march down the field in seven plays, capped by a seven-yard touchdown pass with only 19 ticks left on the clock which gave the Gusties the 27-point halftime cushion.

Gustavus starting quarterback George Sandven would throw three more touchdown passes in the third quarter to break the game open at 48-0 with under five minutes left in the quarter. BVU got on the scoreboard just minutes into the fourth on a Keaton Huebner two-yard touchdown run. Gustavus added a 35-yard field goal for the game's final score.

The Gusties (1-0) used the air attack to their advantage as Sandven completed 22-of-29 attempts in the game for 357 yards and six touchdowns. The Beaver quarterback duo of Herrera and Austin Smith combined to go 7-of-18 through the air for just 58 yards. Senior Eman Alaniz led the rushing attack for BVU, carrying the ball 10 times for 37 yards. He also caught a team-leading three passes for 37 yards. Huebner was just behind Alaniz with 29 yards on nine carries.

Senior Trey Ortman recorded 11 tackles, including eight solo stops, to help anchor the Beaver defense. Sophomore Matthew Beisswenger followed with eight tackles, one forced fumble and a pass breakup. Beisswenger also averaged 34.6 yards over seven punts, including a big 61-yard boot that was downed at the Gustavus one-yard line early in the first half.

Buena Vista (0-1) will look to regroup as it gets set play its home opener next Saturday, Sept. 9, hosting Lakeland University (Wis.) at 1 p.m. inside of J. Leslie Rollins Stadium.