ST. PETER, Minn. – The Carleton College football traveled to Gustavus Adolphus College for the final Northwoods Division game of the season. The Knights got off to an early lead but ultimately fell to by a score of 38-20. Carleton's defense came up with three key turnovers that all led to Carleton points, but it was not enough as the Gusties found the end zone five times on the day.
 
Cooper Long came up with the first turnover for Carleton (6-3, 4-3 MIAC), intercepting a deflected pass on the Knights' 10-yard line. Carleton drove 76 yards and led 3-0 following a Marcus Merkelbach 29-yard field goal. The second Gustavus drive ended when Owen Detmer intercepted a George Sandven pass at the Carleton 40-yard line. The Knights marched to the Gusties' 12-yard line and called on Merkelbach for his second successful field goal and an early 6-0 lead.
 
The Gusties (6-3, 5-2 MIAC) recovered a failed onside kick and marched 49 yards in only three plays, ending in a 15-yard touchdown pass from Sandven to Jake Breitbach, putting the hosts in front, 7-6, with 14:44 to go in the second quarter.
 
The Knights started their next drive in Gusties' territory at the 45-yard line following a lengthy kick-off return by Henry Detmer. They would take back the lead six players later on a screen pass from Jack Curtis to Rye Storrs for a 28-yard score putting the Knights ahead, 13-7.
 
From there, the Gusties offense put together three consecutive scoring drives and added 17 points over the remainder of the second quarter. Receiving touchdowns by Breitbach and Caden Kleinschmidt, and a field goal by Andrew Abegglen, gave Gustavus a 24-13 advantage at halftime.
 
Gustavus scored twice early in the third quarter and led 38-13 heading into the final quarter. Midway through the final stanza, the Knights' Luis Miranda forced and recovered a fumble on the 50-yard line. Following the turnover, Carleton's offense drove down and scored one more time before time expired, via a one-yard rushing touchdown by Bensen Han, the first of his career.
 
On the day, Curtis threw 25-for-46 for 241 yards and a touchdown. The sophomore quarterback has moved near the top of Carleton's record books in three single-season categories: passing yards (second at 2,442), competed passes (third at 245), and touchdown passes (tied for third at 25… see charts below).
 
Storrs and Ntense Obono each finished the game with seven receptions. Storrs had 95 yards and the touchdown, while Obono had 52 yards. Obono's seven snags brings his total to 77 receptions on the season, placing him second in the record books (see chart below).
 
Carleton's defense was led by an 11-tackle effort by Isaac Simons. Both Detmer brothers recorded seven stops apiece.
 
Gustavus finished the day with 541 yards of total offense on 61 plays, including 403 yards through the air. Carleton totaled 359 yards on 71 plays
 
Up Next for the Knights
The 2023 season concludes with the MIAC Championship Week crossover game. The Knights are third in the Northwoods Division and will travel to Minneapolis to play Augsburg University, the third-place team in the Skyline Division. This will be the first time the teams have met since 2018. Kickoff next Saturday, Nov. 11 is currently scheduled for 1:00 p.m. at Edor Nelson Field.
 
Most Passing Yards (single season)
Yds  --  Player  --  Year
3045  --  Shane Henfling  --  2008
2442  --  Jack Curtis  --  2023
2305  --  Darren Caspers  --  2006
2261  --  Christian Zaytoun  --  2018
2237  --  John Nielson  --  1989
 
Most Completed Passes (single season)
Comp  --  Player  --  Year
264  --  Shane Henfling (264-395)  --  2008
254  --  Christian Zaytoun (254-433)  --  2018
245  --  Jack Curtis (245-396)  --  2023
221   --  Jonathan Singleton (221-386)  --  2019
216  --  Jonathan Singleton (216-374)  --  2021
 
Most TD Passes (single season)
TD  --  Player  --  Year
30  --  Shane Henfling  --  2008
27  --  Christian Zaytoun  --  2018
25  --  John Nielson  --  1990
25  --  Jonathan Singleton  --  2021
25  --  Jack Curtis  --  2023
 
Most Receptions (single season)
Rec.  --  Player  --  Year
90  --  Matt Frank (90-990)  --  2008
77  --  Ntense Obono (77-731)  --  2023
74  --  Matt Frank (74-1120)  --  2006
74  --  Mack Journell (74-879)  --  2019
72  --  Emanual Williams (72-887)  --  2019