NORTHFIELD, Minn. - The Carleton College football team reclaimed the Goat Trophy, turned the Eeagle in Bridge Square, and moved to 2-1 on the season with a 35-28 victory over archrival St. Olaf College in the 105th edition of the matchup. Jack Curtis also became Carleton's all-time leading passer in the first quarter, surpassing Jonathan Singleton '23.
"This was a great team win against a great opponent," said Carleton head coach Tom Journell. "(We are) thrilled to bring the Goat Trophy back where it belongs. The offense executed at a high level; Jack Curtis' performance was remarkable, and Tyler Dimond was just brilliant."
Carleton (2-1, 2-0 MIAC) garnered over 500 yards for the second straight game, finishing at 515 total gained. Curtis passed for 396 yards, going 29-for-42, throwing three touchdowns against one interception. Dimond brought in seven passes for 181 yards and a score, his second straight game of 180 yards or more. Rye Storrs had two touchdown grabs as part of his nine-catch line, finishing with 84 yards. Evan Olds' 104 total yards (76 rushing on 12 attempts, 28 receiving on three catches) made him the first Knights RB to go for over 100 yards from scrimmage since Oryon Hamlin on Nov. 11, 2023.
The Knights moved the ball to the St. Olaf 17-yard line on the opening drive, but an offensive pass interference call eventually led to a turnover on downs. St. Olaf (2-1, 1-1 MIAC) punted the ball back after a short drive, and the Knights got rolling. Olds slammed home his third total touchdown of the year from one yard out, capping a 13-play, 80-yard scoring drive, a series that included a nine-yard completion by Curtis to Olds that made the Knights' signal caller the all-time leader in Carleton passing yards (see chart below).
The Olds' score began a run of four straight drives ending in touchdowns. The Oles tied things up at 14:06 in the second quarter when Tory Pinkney Jr. took a toss around the edge for a 35-yard touchdown. On Carleton's next possession, Dimond caught passes for 22 and 32 yards on back-to-back plays to put the Knights at the doorstep, and Jaden Coleman sprinted off-tackle for another score at 11:44. Big plays helped out the Oles as well, as on the next drive Byron Sauvy rumbled for 31 yards and Will Skemp caught a 32-yard touchdown to make it 14-14 halfway through the second quarter.
Ciaran Lee picked off a deflected pass from Curtis on the first play after the kickoff, but the Carleton defense held strong to keep the game tied. It was double trouble to Dimond again, as Curtis slid out of the pocket and threw on the run to the senior wideout for 37 yards, then hit him again up the seam for a 40-yard touchdown and a 21-14 lead. The Oles went three-and-out, and Carleton put together a two-minute drill to score on a back-shoulder toss from Curtis to Storrs with 21 seconds left in the half.
Carleton led 28-14 coming out of the break, and the teams exchanged punts. St. Olaf cut the lead to seven with a short Gus Gartzke rushing score, but the Knights regained their two-score lead with another touchdown slung to Storrs at the 33-second mark of the quarter.
Skemp hauled in another 42-yard score at the beginning of the fourth quarter, making it 35-28. The score stayed there as the teams exchanged stops.
Carleton looked to make it a two-possession game with less than five minute remaining, but the Oles blocked Carleton's 35-yard field goal attempt, potential swinging the momentum to the visitors. As St. Olaf reached midfield, Carleton defensive end Spencer Goetz raced around the edge for a sack, and Jake Reinke made a crucial interception off an errant pass to give the Knights the inside track to victory.
Things nearly came undone as the Oles forced a three-and-out, and a snapping mishap on the ensuing punt gave St. Olaf possession at the Carleton 23 with 18 seconds left. The Oles worked to the 12-yard line, but the Knight defense made a game-winning stand, forcing three incompletions and bringing the Goat Trophy back across the Cannon River.
"Give St. Olaf a lot of credit," said Journell, "there was no quit [in them]. We were fortunate to get a late pick from Reinke, and the defense really stepped up [on the last stand]."
Owen Detmer led the Carleton defense, tying his career high with 12 tackles. Cooper Long was all over the field, posting 11 stops. Reinke's interception was the first of his career.
St. Olaf quarterback Luke Crosby went 14-for-26 through the air for 185 yards, two touchdowns, and a pick. Sauvy ran for 98 yards on 16 attempts. Skemp made eight catches for 131 yards and two touchdowns. Noah Barrett made a team-high six tackles, two for loss. Logan Butts totaled 1.5 sacks.
St. Olaf leads the all-time series 57-47-1, but Carleton has won 3-of the last-4 meetings between these teams.
Most Career Passing Yards a Carleton
Yards -- Player (Comp-Att) -- Years
6555 -- Jack Curtis (595-901) -- 2022-pres
6241 -- Jonathan Singleton (632-1063) -- 2019-22
5427 -- C.G. Shoap (390-833) -- 1994-97
5297 -- Darren Caspers (468-905) -- 2003-06
5058 -- Ted Kluender (331-705) -- 1989-93