Watkins' run caps double overtime win

Mike Ludwig
November 8, 2008

NORTHFIELD, Minn. - Coty Watkins rushed for 131 yards and the game-winning touchdown in the second overtime to lead St. Olaf to a 27-20 football win over visiting Gustavus Adolphus College on Saturday afternoon.

St. Olaf (5-4, 3-4 MIAC) marched 59 yards on ten plays, finished by John Haberman's ten-yard TD pass to Ryan St. John with 36 seconds left in regulation, to send the game to overtime.

Gustavus (6-3, 4-3 MIAC) had the ball first in the opening extra session, but was intercepted. St. Olaf then had a 37-yard field goal blocked on its possession in the first overtime.

In the second the Oles started on offense and gave the ball to Watkins four times, the last a one-yard score to make it 27-20.

The St. Olaf defense then sacked the Gusties' Jordan Becker on a fourth down pass to seal the win.

Becker threw for 223 yards and two touchdowns and two interceptions. His second TD pass gave the Gusties a 17-13 lead with 7:26 left in the fourth.

On the ensuing play, Haberman threw an interceptions and Gustavus capitalized with a John Ostertag field goal to make it 20-13.

Haberman finished the day 18-for-33 for 179 yards with the touchdown and one interception. St. John and Antonio Jennings each had four catches.

The overtime game was the Oles third of the year. They defeated the University of St. Thomas in six extra periods on Sept. 20 and lost to Saint John's in the first overtime on Oct. 25.

St. Olaf has now won six straight against Gustavus.

Contact media relations specialist Mike Ludwig at (507) 786-3834 or ludwigm@stolaf.edu.