Gustavus Adolphus College

Season Review

If statistics won ball games the 1975 Gustie gridders would have captured the MIAC crown. However as that old cliche goes, "the only statistic that really counts is the final score," and in that department the Gusties finished 4-3, which was good enough for a third place finish in conference competition. Although the Gusties finished first in offensive statistics, compiling over 3,400 yards in total offense, inconsistency and a number of bad breaks made the season a very frustrating one.

The offensive attack was led by senior quarterback, Mark Pfundstein, who broke all existing school passing records and ranked with the best quarterbacks in the nation statistically. Much of his success was due to the fine performance put forth by tight end Brad Langmo and wide receiver Mike Teasley. Langmo pulled in 38 receptions for 458 yards and two touchdowns while Teasley gained 646 yards on 34 receptions for 6 touchdowns.

The St. John’s game proved indicative of the types of problems that plagued the squad all year. Despite both a strong running and passing attack, the Gusties simply could not get the ball across their opponents goal line--fumbling two times within the Johnnie five yard line. These missed opportunities, as well as the inability to stop the Johnnie running game on the part of the defense, made victory impossible.

However when the Gustie offense and defense could get things together the results were devastating. In defeating heavily favored Concordia 20-3, the defense performed brilliantly, stopping the Cobber offense three times in goal line situations. The most impressive victory of the year came when the Gusties manhandled Augsburg 40-3 in this year’s Homecoming tilt in which freshman Kieth Bettes kicked a record setting 54 yard field goal and running back Bill Vincent scored two touchdowns. Unfortunately, the offense and defense didn’t get things together quite often enough.

Although Mark Pfundstein made All-Conference and was named the Gustie MVP for the ‘74 season, it was not until the fall of his senior year that the extent of his talent truly emerged. In 1975 he completed 131 passes for 1,853 yards and 15 touchdowns. As well as being named All-MIAC for the second consecutive year, Mark was named as the NAIA All-District 13 quarterback and received honorable mention in the NAIA All-American voting.