Sept. 7 vs. Carthage
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GAME PREVIEW
Today’s Matchup: Saint John’s went 8-2 (7-1 MIAC) and ended the 2023 regular season ranked as high as No. 16 in the D3football.com Top 25 poll. Despite having the secondbest strength of schedule in NCAA Division III and two regionally ranked wins, SJU did not receive one of the four at-large bids to the postseason and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2013 (no season in 2020). The Johnnies return 17 of the 23 starters from a year ago: seven on offense, eight on defense and both on special teams. Carthage, meanwhile, posted a 3-7 (3-6 CCIW) record last season but has a new head coach in Matt Popino in 2024. Popino was an assistant coach at Endicott (Mass.) the past five seasons, including the last three as defensive coordinator. The Gulls allowed the second-fewest points in the country (7.5 per game) in 2022 and the third-fewest (9.7) in 2023.
Series History: Today’s game is the first meeting between SJU and Carthage on the football field. The Johnnies are 2-1 all-time against current members of the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW), which consists of the Firebirds, Augustana (Ill.),
Carroll (Wis.), Elmhurst (Ill.), Illinois Wesleyan, Millikin (Ill.), North Central (Ill.), North Park (Ill.) and Wheaton (Ill.). All three games occurred in the NCAA Playoffs.
SJU’s first meeting with a CCIW school was in the 1976 NCAA quarterfinals, when quarterback Jeff Norman ‘78 rushed for a then-SJU record five touchdowns in a 46-7 win over Augustana. The Johnnies went on to blank Buena Vista (Iowa) 61-0 in Collegeville and won their third national title - first at the Division III level - with a 31-28 victory over Towson State (Md.).
The second meeting was a 17-7 firstround loss in 2017 at North Central. SJU crossed into NCC’s side of the 50-yard line 10 times, including six trips inside the 40, but only mustered seven points and went 0-for-10 on third down.
The Johnnies’ most recent showdown with the CCIW was the epic 3433 win at Wheaton in the 2019 NCAA quarterfinals. The Thunder’s starting center (playing fullback), Jake Hibben, carried the ball fourconsecutive times inside the 10yard line and scored from one yard out with nine seconds remaining.
Hibben, however, spiked the football after scoring and was whistled for an unsportsmanlike-conduct penalty, which turned the ensuing extra-point attempt into a 35-yard kick. The first game-tying attempt sailed wide left, but both teams were called for offsetting penalties. The second attempt went wide right and SJU recovered the onside kick to seal the victory. Quarterback Jackson Erdmann ‘19 finished 28 of 40 passing for 407 yards and five touchdowns against a stout Wheaton defense. The Thunder entered the game as college football’s (all divisions) leader in scoring defense (6.8 ppg.), total defense (186.7 ypg.) and pass-efficiency defense (a 75.3 rating).
Season Openers: Saint John’s is 81-28-3 (.737) all-time in its season opener, including a 10-0 record under the direction of head coach Gary Fasching ‘81.
The Johnnies have won each of their last 18 season openers, 19 of their last 20, and 35 of their last 39 since 1984. Then-No. 6 SJU upset No. 4 Trinity (Texas) with a 34-31, overtime win here in Clemens Stadium to begin the 2023 season.
AROUND THE
2023 Final MIAC Standings
Wartburg College
Knights
Head Coach: Chris Winter 2023 Record: 13-1 2023 ARC Record: 8-0
Sept. 7 at Monmouth (Ill.) 7 p.m.
Sept. 14 at Saint John’s 1 p.m.
Sept. 21 at Central (Iowa) 1 p.m.
Sept. 28 Nebraska Wesleyan 1 p.m.
Oct. 12 at Buena Vista (Iowa) 1 p.m.
Oct. 19 Simpson (Iowa) 1:30 p.m.
Oct. 26 at Coe (Iowa) 1 p.m.
Nov. 2 Luther (Iowa) 1 p.m.
Nov. 9 at Dubuque (Iowa) 1 p.m.
Nov. 16 Loras (Iowa) 1 p.m.
Carleton College
Knights
Head Coach: Tom Journell 2023 Record: 7-3 2023 MIAC Record: 5-3
Sept. 7 at Pomona-Pitzer (Calif.) 3 p.m.
Sept. 21 Minnesota-Morris 2 p.m.
Sept. 28 at Hamline 1 p.m.
Oct. 5 Concordia 1 p.m.
Oct. 12 at St. Olaf 1 p.m.
Oct. 19 Saint John’s 1 p.m.
Oct. 26 at St. Scholastica 5 p.m.
Nov. 2 at Bethel 1 p.m.
Nov. 9 Gustavus Adolphus 1 p.m.
Nov. 16 MIAC Week 1 p.m.
Bethel University
Royals
Head Coach: Mike McElroy
2023 Record: 8-3
2023 MIAC Record: 7-1
Sept. 14 at Northwestern (Minn.) 6 p.m.
Sept. 21 UW-Eau Claire 1 p.m.
Sept. 28 Saint John’s 1
Nov. 9 at Concordia 1 p.m. Nov. 16 at MIAC Week 1 p.m.
Gustavus Adolphus College Gusties
Head Coach: Peter Haugen 2023 Record: 6-4
2023 MIAC Record: 5-3
Sept. 7 Whitworth (Wash.) 1 p.m.
Sept. 21 at UW-Stevens Point 1 p.m.
Sept. 28 at Augsburg 1 p.m. Oct. 5 Bethel 1 p.m. Oct. 12 St. Scholastica 1 p.m. Oct. 19 at Macalester 1 p.m.
Oct. 26 at Saint John’s 1 p.m. Nov. 2 St. Olaf 1 p.m.
Nov. 9 at Carleton 1 p.m. Nov. 16 MIAC Week 1 p.m.
Augsburg University
Auggies
Head Coach: Derrin Lamker
2023 Record: 6-4
2023 MIAC Record: 4-4
Sept. 6 Valley City State (N.D.) 8 p.m.
Sept. 21 at Martin Luther 1 p.m.
Sept. 28 Gustavus Adolphus 1 p.m.
Oct. 5 at Saint John’s 1 p.m.
Oct. 12 Hamline 12 p.m.
Oct. 19 at Bethel 1 p.m.
Oct. 26 St. Olaf
Nov. 2 at Concordia 1 p.m.
Nov. 9 Macalester 1 p.m.
Nov. 16 at MIAC Week 1 p.m.
College of St. Scholastica Saints
Head Coach: Mike Heffernan
2023 Record: 2-8
2023 MIAC Record: 1-7
Sept. 14 Rockford (Ill.) 1 p.m.
Sept. 21 at Crown 1 p.m.
Sept. 28 at Concordia
Oct. 5 Macalester
Oct. 12 at Gustavus Adolphus
Oct. 19 at St. Olaf
Oct. 26 Carleton
Nov. 2 Saint John’s 1 p.m.
Nov. 9 at Hamline 1 p.m.
Nov. 16 MIAC Week 1 p.m.
Sports coverage to yo u . J o h n n i e s
ANDY RENNECKE Sports Editor
SENIOR SPOTLIGHT
Grant Peroutka
6-1, 275, OL Rosemount High School
What made you decide to come to Saint John’s
I knew I wanted to be close to home and play football. I heard about the Johnnie network and wanted to utilize it to start my career. I also thought the campus looked cool.
What is your favorite spot on campus and why?
The weight room because of all the time I’ve spent there.
What is something most people wouldn’t know about you?
I have been to and watched a game at 13 out of 30 Major League Baseball stadiums.
Conor Murphy
5-10, 180, K, Sioux Falls (South Dakota) O’Gorman High School
What is your funniest memory from football at SJU?
The offensive line having a bodybuilding competition at the team talent show.
What is your major and why did you choose it?
I chose accounting and finance because I enjoy working with numbers.
What is the most interesting place you’ve traveled to?
I studied abroad in Ireland last semester, and it was one of the best experiences of my life.
Faaris Amegankpoe
6-3, 190, WR Maple Grove High School
What is something most people wouldn’t know about you? I can speak French and juggle.
Who is someone you really admire and why?
My Mom because of the amazing hard worker she is and how she provides for our family.
What are some of your hobbies?
Watching football and being a barber.
Tommy Hessburg
6-5, 295, OL Grosse Pointe (Michigan) South High School
What is your favorite spot on campus and why?
The Reef. I love their hot dogs.
What is something most people wouldn’t know about you?
I have broken six bones.
What is your best memory of your time here - on or off the field?
Winning the Trinity (Texas) game (34-31 in overtime in the 2023 season opener.
Jack Bjork
6-0, 220, LB Mahtomedi High School
What is your funniest memory from football at Saint John’s?
Seeing (SJU head coach) Gary (Fasching) in (assistant coach Tom) Wicka’s car.
Who is someone you really admire and why?
My older brother Matt because he is always happy and it’s infectious.
What is the most interesting place you’ve traveled to? Australia.
2023 Home Opener vs. Trinity
FRANKLY SPEAKING
By Frank Rajkowski
HAUGEN STEPS AWAY AFTER 48 SEASONS
Jerry Haugen arrived at SJU as a freshman in the fall of 1972.
And since that time, the former Johnnie standout defensive back and longtime defensive coordinator, has missed only two games - a home matchup against Buena Vista, and a road game at Wisconsin-Whitewater last season when he was recovering from surgery but still managed to coach remotely.
Otherwise, he has been there every time the Johnnies took the field. Until now.
Last month, Haugen announced he was stepping down from the football coaching staff after 48 seasons as defensive coordinator, though he will remain SJU’s head baseball coach heading into his 48th season in that job this coming spring.
“It’s actually been kind of a gradual process over the last three seasons to get to this point,” Haugen said of his decision. “Novy (Brandon Novak) has been able to work into the job (as co-defensive coordinator). He’s had
more-and-more freedom to make calls and take control.
“But it’s a big change. I’ve put a lot of time into this job over the years, and I’ve been lucky enough to make so many great connections with players.”
A number of those players are now on the coaching staff themselves. That includes head coach Gary Fasching, who played linebacker in Haugen’s defenses as a three-year starter before graduating in 1981. After a successful high school coaching career, he joined the Johnnie coaching staff working with the defensive line in 1996, then took over as head coach following the legendary John Gagliardi’s retirement at the conclusion of the 2012 season. So he’s gotten to know Haugen as well as anyone.
“His longevity is one thing,” Fasching said. “But then you look at the impact he’s had on this program. There haven’t been too many years in all the time he’s been here when we haven’t been ranked as one of the top defenses in the country.”
Indeed, during his time as a defensive coach, the Johnnies posted a 421-99-5 (.807) overall record and a 319-61-
4 (.836) mark in the MIAC. He was named the NCAA Division III Defensive Coordinator of the Year by American Football Monthly in 2003 when SJU won its fourth national title, and he was there when the Johnnies won their third during his first season as an assistant in 1976.
“We had a pretty small staff in those days,” Haugen recalls with a smile. “I can remember going to NCAA playoff games and meeting with the officials and the other team beforehand. The officials would introduce themselves and there’d be seven-or-eight of them. Then the other team would introduce their coaching staff and there’d be seven-or-eight guys there too.
“Then John would get up and introduce our coaching staff by saying ‘Here’s Jerry.’ That would be it.”
Yet even short-handed, Haugen was effective. Since 1978, his unit finished in the top two in the MIAC in total defense 26 times.
“He’s been through so much and he’s seen it all,” Fasching said. “Having him here has given me a real sense of calm. I knew I could always come to him if I had a question about anything.”
JAKE SCHWINGHAMMER
SCHWINGHAMMER AND SANDERS BRING OPPOSITE PERSONALITIES TO JOHNNIE LINEBACKER CORPS
Jake Schwinghammer wasn’t sure where he stood with Hayden Sanders when the freshmen linebackers first arrived on campus at Saint John’s University in the fall of 2021.
The pair had bonded over social media the previous spring after both announced their decisions to play for the Johnnies.
But then the contact tapered off.
“We first meet on Twitter (X), and when I told him I was coming here, he was happy,” recalls the 6-foot, 215-pound Schwinghammer, a graduate of Tartan High School. “He added me to all the group chats, we were talking and we were both excited. Then he stopped messaging. So I wondered ‘Is this guy too cool for me?’ We got to campus that fall and it took me a bit to realize that he’s just really shy. That whole time, he was nervous to talk to me.
“But after that, we started to click on all cylinders. It’s the perfect
situation – he’s quiet and I’m loud. We complement each other. We’re roommates, best friends and we always have each other’s back. On the field, he leads by example. He’s a man of few words, so when he does talk, you know it’s important. I try to get everybody pumped up. Then he comes in and says what he has to say.”
MIAC pick who ranked second on the team with 73 tackles a year ago.
Like Yaggie, Sanders is also entering his third season as a starter. He ranked third on the team in tackles with 70 a year ago, including seven
Sanders views the relationship in much the same way.
“We’re polar opposites,” said Sanders, a 6-foot, 220-pound graduate of Champlin Park High School. “He’s outgoing, all over the place talking to guys. I don’t talk much at all. This is probably the most I’ve said all day.
for a loss and one sack, while earning All-MIAC honors.
Schwinghammer, meanwhile, broke into the starting lineup for the first time in 2023 – finishing fifth on the team with 53 tackles, including six for a loss and three sacks.
“But it’s perfect because the personality has to match the message. If we need a rah, rah speech, it will be him. I just try to keep focused on what’s ahead
“I always look at linebackers like the quarterback of the defense,” SJU head coach Gary Fasching said. “They have to be the guys to get people in the
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right spots, especially the defensive front. We’ve been especially fortunate here over the years to have had a lot
lot of linebackers out there because we’re that deep.
“The reality is any one of us could step on the field and take care of business.”
But after years of deferring to veterans like Erik Bjork, who led the team in tackles with 78 a year ago, Schwinghammer knows the mantle of leadership has now been passed.
“It’s crazy because I look around the room and I see Hayden, I see Cooper and I see myself,” said Schwinghammer, a biochemistry major who will take a medical mission trip to Costa Rica next May, then is looking into volunteering abroad for a year with the Benedictine Volunteer Corps before attending
“It’s like, ‘Wow, it’s on us now.’ We’ve been shielded by these older guys for awhile. But now it’s riding on us and we’ve accepted that role. All three of us stayed up here all summer to work out together. Iron sharpens iron and
Now both players are hoping to push SJU back into the NCAA Division III playoffs. A late-season loss at Gustavus last fall cost the Johnnies a shot at the MIAC title and brought a school-record streak of eight-straight postseason berths to
But Sanders and Schwinghammer said out of that disappointment came motivation.
“For as much as that hurt, it propelled us into a position to succeed,” said Sanders, who plans on pursuing an accounting career, but would like to continue playing football if the opportunity arises post-graduation.
HAYDEN SANDERS Linebacker
“I remember crying on that bus ride home (from Gustavus). There was a lot of disappointment. We remember that feeling and we’ve used it to drive us. It showed us we can’t take a week off. We have to be in the moment at all times and very intentional in everything we do.”
“It was hard, but maybe (quarterback) Aaron (Syverson) doesn’t decide to come back (to use a final year of eligibility) if we make the playoffs,” Schwinghammer added. “Maybe we don’t have the same sense of purpose I think we do now.
“Every year, we say we’re good enough to win a national championship, but it hasn’t happened during our time here. So maybe we needed something like that to happen.
“We needed an awakening and that’s just what we got. We’re wide awake now.”
COACHING STAFF
GARY FASCHING
It’s never easy to replace a legend, but Gary Fasching has proven himself up to the task. The 1981 SJU graduate took over for John Gagliardi when the winningest coach in college football history retired following the 2012 season. Since that time, Fasching has guided the Johnnies to five MIAC titles and led his team to eight-straight NCAA Division III playoff berths from 201422 (no season in 2020) - a program
KOLE HECKENDORF
Kole Heckendorf is in his seventh season as SJU’s offensive coordinator and his 12th as a member of the team’s coaching staff. In 2019, his offense set program records by averaging 371.4 passing yards and 512.9 total yards per game. Heckendorf was a standout wide receiver at North Dakota State, who ended his career (2005-08) with the Bison as the program’s career leader in catches (178) and receiving yards (2,732). He then spent time with the NFL’s Green Bay Packers, Detroit Lions, Seattle Seahawks, San Diego (now Los Angeles) Chargers and Indianapolis Colts.
Josh Bungum (running backs) - A 2016 SJU graduate, Josh Bungum is in his ninth season on the coaching staff. He was an All-American pick as a player in 2015 and finished his career second in program history in receptions.
Mike Magnuson (offensive line) - A 1990 SJU graduate, Mike Magnuson is in his 10th season on the coaching staff and his seventh coaching the team’s offensive lineman. He was a three-year starter for the Johnnies at offensive tackle himself, helping lead the team to two NCAA Division III playoff appearances.
Ben Eli (offensive line) - A 2016 SJU graduate, Ben Eli is in his eighth season on the coaching staff. As a player, he was an All-American selection at center.
and MIAC record streak. A three-year starter for the Johnnies at linebacker (1977-78, 1980-81), Fasching served 17 years as an assistant football coach and recruiting coordinator on Gagliardi’s staff before taking over as head coach. He has since been named MIAC coach of the year six times (2014, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021 and 2022). Prior to coming to SJU, Fasching was the head coach at St. Cloud Cathedral High School from 1986-95, leading the Crusaders to back-to-back state titles in 1992
BRANDON NOVAK
Brandon Novak is in his 25th season as an assistant coach for the Johnnies and currently serves as defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach. The 2001 SJU graduate was a two-time All-American selection at linebacker who earned MIAC MVP honors in 1999. He was a three-time All-American wrestler and won the NCAA Division III national champion at 197 pounds in 2001. He went on to coach the Johnnie wrestling team for 10 years before stepping down following the 2013-14 season.
Graydon Kulick (quarterbacks) - A 2021 graduate of SJU, Graydon Kulick is in his second season on the coaching staff. He played at Davidson and Western Kentucky before transferring to play for the Johnnies.
Max Jackson (defensive assistant/ diversity and student success) - A 2019 SJU graduate, Max Jackson is in his fourth season on the coaching staff. He was a two-time All-American safety and a twotime All-MIAC pick in baseball.
Collin Franz (defensive line) - A 2021 SJU graduate, Collin Franz is in his third season on the coaching staff. He started all 12 games for the Johnnies as player in 2021 (utilizing his extra year of eligibility).
Andy Auger (defense) - A 1995 SJU graduate, Andy Auger is in his sixth season
and ’93. In 2022, he was inducted into both the Minnesota Football Coaches Association (MFCA) Hall of Fame and the St. Cloud Cathedral Athletic Hall of Fame. He and his wife Cindy reside in St. Joseph.
DAMIEN DUMONCEAUX
Damien Dumonceaux is in his 19th season on the SJU coaching staff and currently serves as the program’s recruiting coordinator and defensive line coach. He was a three-year starter at nose tackle for the Johnnies from 200305, earning All-American honors as a senior. That season, he was also named Football Gazette’s Defensive Lineman of the Year and D3football.com’s Defensive Player of the Year, while receiving the MIAC Mike Stam Award as the conference’s top lineman.
as a volunteer assistant. Prior to that, the former football and baseball standout for the Johnnies was head football coach at St. Cloud Cathedral from 2013-15.
Tom Wicka (linebackers) - A 1990 SJU graduate, Tom Wicka is in his third season as a volunteer assistant. He was a two-time All-MIAC pick at linebacker at SJU.
Alexi Johnson (kickers) - A 2017 SJU graduate, Alexi Johnson is in his seventh season as a volunteer assistant. He was the Johnnies’ kicker from 2013-16, ending his career second in school history in career field goals (27) and career PAT’s (190).
Alex Larson (tight ends) - A 2024 graduate of SJU, Larson was a three-time AllAmerican at tight end as a player. He is in his first season on the coaching staff.
0 Charlie King Fr. DL 6-6 260 Faribault, Minn./Bethlehem Academy
1 Joe Akoh Sr. DL 6-4 240 Hugo, Minn./Cretin-Derham Hall
1 Alex Hart Fr. DB 5-10 165 Minneapolis, Minn./Wayzata
2 Nolan Dumonceaux Fr. DB 6-0 180 Forest Lake, Minn./Forest Lake
3 Cooper Yaggie Sr. LB 6-0 210 Breckenridge, Minn./Breckenridge
4 Will Peroutka Fr. DB 5-11 175 Rosemount, Minn./Rosemount
5 Landon Danner Fr. LB 6-2 220 Rosemount, Minn./Rosemount
5 Graham Gerlach Sr. DB 5-11 190 St. Paul, Minn./Roseville Area
6 Isaac Potter Jr. LB 6-0 210 Waseca, Minn./Waseca
7 Evan Wahlin Jr. DB 5-11 185 Sartell, Minn./St. Cloud Cathedral
8 Peyton Goettlicher So. DB 5-11 190 Mankato, Minn./West
9 Westin Hoyt Fr. DB 6-1 190 Forest Lake, Minn./Forest Lake
10 Mateo Cisneros Sr. DB 5-11 195 Shoreview, Minn./Mounds View
11 Noah Arneson Jr. DB 6-0 195 Independence, Minn./Orono
11 Carson Ray Fr. DL 6-1 210 Minneapolis, Minn./Benilde-St. Margaret’s
12 Logan Jans So. DB 6-4 185 St. Michael, Minn./St. Michael-Albertville
13 Landon Weyer Fr. DB 5-11 185 Stillwater, Minn./Stillwater Area
14 Alex Harren Jr. LB 6-2 210 Rice, Minn./Sauk Rapids-Rice
15 Caden Renslow So. DB 6-1 195 Inver Grove Heights, Minn./Simley
16 Blake Simonson Jr. DB 5-11 175 Waconia, Minn./Waconia
17 Vincent Pyne So. DB 6-0 185 Rosemount, Minn./Rosemount
18 Will Seymour Fr. DB 6-1 170 New Prague, Minn./New Prague
19 Adam Schavey So. LB 5-11 200 Winnebago, Minn./Blue Earth Area
20 Hudson Poole Fr. DB 5-10 165 Excelsior, Minn./Minnetonka
21 Jalen Crowley Fr. DB 6-2 190 St. Paul, Minn./East Ridge
21 Nolan Rueter Sr. LB 6-2 205 Avon, Minn./Albany
22 Andrew Lipke Fr. LB 6-3 210 Stewart, Minn./Hutchinson
22 Charlie Ryks Jr. DB 6-0 195 Maple Grove, Minn./Breck
23 Aiden McMahon So. LB 6-1 220 Maple Grove, Minn./Maple Grove
24 John Hawkins Jr. DB 6-0 180 St. Cloud, Minn./Cathedral
24 Mitch Vener Jr. DL 6-2 230 South St. Paul, Minn./South St. Paul
25 Zachariah Hunter Jr. LB 5-11 215 Stillwater, Minn./Stillwater Area
26 Jack Savasten Sr. DB 6-2 205 Farmington, Minn./Farmington
28 Ryan Sanvik Sr. DB 5-11 175 North Branch, Minn./Chisago Lakes
29 Cage Linton Sr. DB 5-11 200 St. Paul, Minn./Cretin-Derham Hall
30 Darby Boelter Fr. DB 5-10 180 Crosslake, Minn./Pequot Lakes
30 Will Diana Fr. LB 6-1 220 Eden Prairie, Minn./Eden Prairie
31 Dylan Hanson So. DB 6-1 180 Savage, Minn./Prior Lake
31 Mason McKelvy Fr. LB 6-1 190 Austin, Texas/Westlake
32 Bailey Evans Fr. DB 5-11 190 Breckenridge, Minn./Breckenridge
32 Jake Schwinghammer Sr. LB 6-0 215 Woodbury, Minn./Tartan
33 Jack St. Fleur Jr. DB 6-0 210 San Diego, Calif./Christian Unified
34 Drew Bramlett Sr. DB 6-1 190 Woodbury, Minn./Woodbury
35 Josh Muehlbauer So. DL 6-1 230 Hermantown, Minn./Hermantown
36 Clay Wolf Fr. DB 6-2 200 Breezy Point, Minn./Pequot Lakes
37 Kaeden Carter Fr. DB 6-1 165 Lakeville, Minn./ North
37 Zach Helfmann So. LB 6-2 240 St. Louis Park, Minn./St. Louis Park
38 Mason Hughes Fr. DB 5-9 160 Mahtomedi, Minn./Mahtomedi
39 D.J. Myles Sr. LB 5-11 205 Dayton, Minn./Champlin Park
40 Isaac Hetland Sr. DL 6-1 235 Osakis, Minn./Osakis
41 Beau Boudreaux So. LB 6-0 205 Huson, Mont./Frenchtown
42 Robbie Burslem Fr. DL 6-5 215 Austin, Texas/St. Dominic Savio Catholic
43 Hayden Sanders Sr. LB 6-0 220 Brooklyn Park, Minn./Champlin Park
44 Andrew Molenaar Jr. DL 6-0 230 Shoreview, Minn./Mounds View
45 Joey Greenagel Fr. DB 6-0 180 Maple Plain, Minn./Orono
45 Vinny Wanda Jr. DL 6-3 235 Lakeville, Minn./North
46 Ben Dahl Sr. LB 5-9 200 Otsego, Minn./Rogers
47 Jalen Graham Fr. LB 5-10 200 Champlin, Minn./Champlin Park
47 Liam O’Malley Sr. DB 6-0 175 Sarasota, Fla./Booker
48 Jack Bjork Sr. LB 6-0 220 Mahtomedi, Minn./Mahtomedi
49 Cooper Nelson Fr. LB 6-0 225 Sherman Oaks, Calif./Crespi Carmelite
50 J.P. Weber So. LB 6-0 210 Dubuque, Iowa/Wahlert
51 Henry Bendickson So. LB 6-1 190 St. Louis Park, Minn./St. Louis Park
52 Tanner Gelinas Fr. LB 6-1 180 Canyon Lake, Calif./Vista Murrieta
53 Kaden Lukkes Jr. LB 5-10 180 New Prague, Minn./New Prague
53 Dawson Van Meter Sr. DL 6-0 230 Luck, Wis./Luck
54 Eric Jurek So. LB 5-11 200 Stillwater, Minn./Stillwater Area
55 Alex Larson Fr. DL 6-2 250 St. Louis Park, Minn./St. Louis Park
56 Kellen O’Keefe Fr. LB 6-2 205 Le Center, Minn./Tri-City United
57 Austin Wisdom Fr. LB 5-11 220 Simi Valley, Calif./Crespi Carmelite
59 Jayden Leach Jr. LB 6-1 215 Bayport, Minn./Stillwater Area
60 Jackson Carlson So. LB 6-3 210 Duluth, Minn./East
61 Emilio Velishek Fr. LB 6-0 215 Jordan, Minn./Jordan
66 Will Mahowald So. DL 6-1 240 Sartell, Minn./Sartell-St. Stephen
67 Grady Minnerath Fr. DL 6-0 245 Paynesville, Minn./Rocori
70 Caleb Thom Jr. DL 6-2 230 Minneapolis, Minn./Totino-Grace
71 Cam Cortright Fr. DL 6-2 240 Plymouth, Minn./Wayzata
73 Jack Krza Jr. DL 6-4 245 Littleton, Colo./Mullen
74 Jawahn Cockfield Fr. DL 6-0 240 St. Paul, Minn./Stillwater Area
81 Logan Gass Fr. DL 6-7 205 Fulda, Minn./Heron Lake-Okabena-Fulda
82 Etah Akoh Sr. DL 6-4 240 Hugo, Minn./Cretin-Derham Hall
83 Alex Lundebrek Sr. DL 6-4 250 Otsego, Minn./Rogers
85 Braden Sotis Fr. DL 6-1 220 Temecula, Calif./Linfield Christian
86 Tim Johnson Fr. DL 6-2 250 Elk River, Minn./Elk River
87 Jordan Borgeson Sr. DL 6-3 245 Rochester, Minn./Lourdes
88 Alex Wimmer Fr. DL 6-0 215 Anoka, Minn./Anoka
89 Michael Kasel Fr. DL 6-2 210 Mahtomedi, Minn./Mahtomedi
90 Landon Gallagher Sr. DL 6-2 250 Murrieta, Calif./Vista Murrieta
91 Ben Thorman Fr. DL 6-2 250 Bloomington, Minn./Jefferson
92 Chandler Obering Jr. DL 6-4 255 Orange, Calif./Villa Park
93 Riley DeRosier Jr. DL 6-1 235 Baxter, Minn./Brainerd
94 Ben Karr Jr. DL 6-2 230 Stillwater, Minn./Hill-Murray
95 Travis Johnson Sr. DL 6-3 250 Murrieta, Calif./Vista Murrieta
96 Riley Kangas Sr. DL 6-1 240 Faribault, Minn./Bethlehem Academy
97 Zach Frank Sr. DL 6-3 270 Lino Lakes, Minn./Centennial
98 Tommy Gilmore Sr. DL 6-3 250 Otsego, Minn./Rogers
99 Cole Engen Jr. DL 6-1 235 Esko, Minn./Esko
0 Joey Gendreau Jr. TE 6-3 230 Shorewood, Minn./Minnetonka
1 Marselio Mendez Sr. WR 5-9 165 St. Paul, Minn./Cretin-Derham Hall
2 Takhi Vaughn Jr. RB 5-9 175 Eden Prairie, Minn./Eden Prairie
2 Dylan Wheeler Jr. WR 6-2 190 St. Paul, Minn./Mounds View
3 Zander Dittbenner Jr. QB 6-0 200 Mankato, Minn./West
4 Riley Schwellenbach So. WR 5-9 160 Woodbury, Minn./East Ridge
5 Joey Moberg Sr. WR 5-10 200 St. Paul, Minn./Johnson
6 Aaron Syverson Sr. QB 6-0 195 Minnetonka, Minn./Minnetonka
7 Mason Delzer Fr. RB 6-1 205 Spicer, Minn./New London-Spicer
7 Brady VanErp Sr. WR 6-2 185 Battle Lake, Minn./Ottertail Central
8 Daylen Cummings Fr. QB 6-0 190 Lino Lakes, Minn./Centennial
8 Sam Nolan So. WR 6-0 180 Lakeville, Minn./North
9 Lucas Jansky Jr. QB 6-1 200 Kimball, Minn./Kimball Area
9 Sam Ovsak Fr. WR 6-0 180 Breckenridge, Minn./Fargo (N.D.) Shanley
10 Zach Roebuck Jr. WR 5-10 195 Olympia Fields, Ill./Rich Central
11 Leyton Riviere Fr. QB 6-0 185 Pflugerville, Texas/St. Dominic Savio Catholic
12 Conor Murphy Sr. K 5-10 180 Sioux Falls, S.D./O’Gorman
12 Reece Dawson Fr. QB 6-3 215 Rogers, Minn./Rogers
13 Nirvaan Yogarajah Fr. QB 6-2 170 Maple Grove, Minn./Benilde-St. Margaret’s
14 David Duplantier Fr. WR 6-3 185 Leander, Texas/St. Dominic Savio Catholic
15 Landen Mickelson Fr. QB 6-2 210 Andover, Minn./St. Agnes
16 Jake Deutschman Jr. QB 6-1 200 Ramsey, Minn./Anoka
16 Thomas Jacobs So. WR 5-10 165 Lakeland, Minn./Stillwater Area
17 Faaris Amegankpoe Sr. WR 6-3 190 Maple Grove, Minn./Maple Grove
18 Spencer Ell Sr. P 5-11 185 Morristown, Minn./Bethlehem Academy
18 Caden Caligiuri So. WR 6-1 200 Winnipeg, Manitoba/Oak Park
19 Owen Amrhein Jr. WR 5-11 185 Waconia, Minn./Waconia
20 Wyatt Sawatzke Jr. WR 6-3 205 Monticello, Minn./Monticello
22 Jaxon Sawyer Jr. RB 6-1 205 San Jose, Calif./Bellarmine College Prep
23 Dylan Kirchner So. RB 6-0 195 Andover, Minn./Andover
24 Wyatt McCabe Fr. RB 5-10 180 Mayer, Minn./Watertown-Mayer
26 Mike Barry Fr. WR 6-0 180 Hugo, Minn./Mahtomedi
27 A.J. Loch Sr. WR 6-1 190 Kildeer, Ill./Stevenson
27 Caden Wheeler Jr. RB 5-10 200 Andover, Minn./Andover
28 Quinn Christoffersen Sr. RB 5-10 200 St. Paul, Minn./South St. Paul
29 Andrew Flaten Fr. RB 5-9 190 Alexandria, Minn./Alexandria
30 Corey Bohmert So. RB 5-10 175 Mahtomedi, Minn./Mahtomedi
32 Andy Becker Fr. RB 5-10 210 Kimball, Minn./Kimball Area
33 Will Blakey Jr. RB 6-0 200 St. Paul, Minn./Central
34 Tyler Hoheisel So. RB 5-11 190 Monticello, Minn./Monticello
35 Michael Beckius Fr. WR 6-0 180 New Prague, Minn./New Prague
38 Ryan Warford So. WR 6-0 185 Woodbury, Minn./Cretin-Derham Hall
39 Andrew Schaffer So. WR 6-1 195 Chaska, Minn./Chaska
40 Blake Ehlert Sr. WR 6-0 185 St. Joseph, Minn./St. Cloud Cathedral
43 Maverick Harper Fr. RB 5-11 200 Lino Lakes, Minn./Centennial
49 Caelan McKean Fr. LS 5-8 195 Chanhassen, Minn./Minnetonka
50 Nick McKenzie Sr. OL 6-1 280 New London, Minn./New London-Spicer
51 Barrett Van Deun So. OL 6-1 285 Omaha, Neb./Millard West
52 Colton Rada So. OL 6-3 285 Chaska, Minn./Chaska
53 Spencer Gustin Sr. OL 6-2 280 St. Cloud, Minn./Tech
54 Grant Peroutka Sr. OL 6-1 280 Rosemount, Minn./Rosemount
55 Tom Soler Sr. OL 6-0 280 Circle Pines, Minn./Hill-Murray
56 Eddie Reece Jr. OL 6-5 275 Hudson, Wis./Hill-Murray
57 Shane Atz Jr. OL 5-11 280 Roseville, Minn./Roseville Area
58 Joe Duerr Fr. OL 6-3 325 Buffalo, Minn./St. Michael-Albertville
59 Joey Nelson Fr. OL 6-5 280 Chanhassen, Minn./Chanhassen
60 Ian DeGross Jr. OL 6-3 280 Elko, Minn./New Prague
61 Matt Peterson So. OL 6-3 245 Esko, Minn./Esko
62 Isaak Nowak So. OL 6-3 280 Andover, Minn./Andover
63 Joe Vascellaro Sr. OL 6-3 295 Minneapolis, Minn./St. Thomas Academy
64 Hunter Nething Fr. OL 6-3 295 Elk River, Minn./Elk River
65 Sean Lew Sr. OL 6-2 280 Bermuda Dunes, Calif./Shadow Hills
66 Luke Wright Jr. OL 6-0 265 Woodbury, Minn./Woodbury
68 Charlie Brophy So. OL 6-2 280 Maple Plain, Minn./Orono
70 Alex Markgraf Jr. OL 6-0 280 St. Michael, Minn./St. Michael-Albertville
71 Thomas Graves Fr. OL 6-3 285 St. Paul, Minn./Cretin-Derham Hall
72 Charlie Folkens Sr. OL 6-3 290 Rogers, Minn./Rogers
73 Diego Hurtado Fr. OL 5-11 260 Chandler, Ariz./Hamilton
74 Ethan Lincoln So. OL 6-3 285 Scandia, Minn./Forest Lake
75 Josh Quirk Fr. OL 6-1 245 Minneapolis, Minn./Edina
76 Zeke Conner Fr. OL 6-8 295 Tyler, Texas/Bishop Gorman
77 Mikey Oftedahl Fr. OL 6-2 295 Minnetrista, Minn./Mound-Westonka
78 Michael Bougie So. OL 6-5 300 South St. Paul, Minn./Cretin-Derham Hall
79 Tommy Hessburg Sr. OL 6-5 310 Grosse Pointe Park, Mich./Grosse Pointe South
80 Will Mathiasen Fr. TE 6-3 210 Sartell, Minn./Sartell-St. Stephen
81 Graham Beltrand Sr. TE 6-4 225 Long Lake, Minn./Orono
82 Dom DiMaggio So. TE 6-3 235 Northfield, Minn./Northfield
83 Eddie Don Fr. WR 6-0 185 Diamond Bar, Calif./Damien
84 E.J. Hosty So. TE 6-7 200 Chicago, Ill./Fenwick
86 Cade Berg So. WR 6-5 190 Plymouth, Minn./Robbinsdale Armstrong
87 Josh Delange Jr. WR 6-4 210 Medina, Minn./Orono
88 Charlie Plum Jr. TE 6-4 225 Inver Grove Heights, Minn./Cretin-Derham Hall
89 Andrew Harren So. TE 6-5 220 Rice, Minn./Sauk Rapids-Rice
90 Matt Hansen So. K/P 5-11 145 Longmont, Colo./Niwot
92 Thomas Theising Fr. K/P 5-10 160 Minneapolis, Minn./Wayzata
93 Ashton Hecksel So. K/P 5-10 165 Watertown, Minn./Watertown-Mayer
No. Name Yr. Pos. Ht. Wt. Hometown/High School
No. Name Yr. Pos. Ht. Wt. Hometown/High School
CARTHAGE ROSTER
1 Jy’Lique Barnes WR 5-9 165 Jr. Ocala, Fla. / West Port
2 Cole Gillette QB 5-9 180 Fr. Grayslake, Ill. / Grayslake Central
2 Amarie Hill DB 5-10 155 Jr. St. Paul, Minn. / South St. Paul
3 Bryce Lowe QB 5-11 190 Sr. Lutz, Fla. / Steinbrenner
4 Mike Bojesen TE 6-0 210 Sr. Elmhurst, Ill. / York Community
5 Gavin Betts WR 6-2 195 Jr. Troy, Mich. / Avondale
6 Easton Heafner QB 6-2 185 Fr. Jerseyville, Ill. / Jersey Community
6 Tommie King DL 6-2 220 So. Milwaukee, Wis. / Greenfield
7 Aiden Cipolletti WR 6-3 188 So. Kenosha, Wis. / Indian Trail
8 Koen Abreu DB 6-0 180 Jr. Mililani, Hawai’i / Eleanor Roosevelt
8 Hector Carranza QB 6-0 175 Fr. Waukesha, Wis. / South
9 Chris Gutierrez DL 6-3 220 Sr. North Riverside, Ill. / Nazareth Academy
9 Dylan Salisbury WR 6-3 190 Fr. Laporte, Ind. / Laporte
10 Idarius Walton DB 6-1 175 Jr. Park Ridge, Ill. / Main East
11 Argjent Ismaili WR 6-2 210 Jr. Kenosha, Wis. / Indian Trail
12 Austin Adcock DB 6-3 175 So. Dacula, Ga. / Dacula
13 Dakota Perry QB 6-1 180 So. Emmett, Idaho / Emmett
14 Abdoulie Ceesay DB 6-1 160 Fr. Bronx, N.Y. / Madison East
14 Omar Surveyor WR 6-2 180 So. Greenfield, Wis. / Greenfield
15 Liam O’Neil DB 6-1 185 Fr. Peoria, Ill. / Peoria Notre Dame
15 Quan Redding WR 5-11 190 So. Milwaukee, Wis. / Greenfield
16 Briton Stanton DB 5-10 200 So. Gilbert, Ariz. / Williams Field
16 Chris Vallee DB 5-9 183 Fr. Algonquin, Ill. / Marion Central Catholic
17 Kai Agamaite WR 6-4 180 Jr. Ripon, Wis. / Ripon
18 Jackson Westmoreland WR 6-2 175 Jr. Westville, Ind. / Chesterton
19 Austin Alexander DB 5-10 165 So. Greenfield, Wis. / Greenfield
20 Mark Hunter RB 5-10 195 Jr. Lake Villa, Ill. / Lakes Community
21 Liam Lopez DB 5-10 170 Fr. Aurora, Ill. / West Aurora
21 Donte McQuilla RB 5-6 185 So. Somerset, N.J. / Franklin
22 Tanner Ludwig DB 6-4 180 Sr. Littleton, Colo. / Highlands Ranch
23 Collin Durian TE 6-1 210 Jr. Mattawan, Mich. / Kalamazoo Christian
23 AJ Ruiz DB 5-11 165 So. Racine, Wis. / St. Catherine’s
24 Evan Mutterer DB 6-0 180 Sr. Lemont, Ill. / Lemont
24 Chuckie Smith WR 6-2 195 Sr. Crete, Ill. / Crete-Monee
25 Bryce Frank RB 5-8 205 Jr. Marshall, Wis. / Marshall
26 Ben Allen LB 5-11 200 So. Little Rock, Ark. / Parkview Magnet
27 William Zuiderveen LB 6-0 195 Jr. Kalamazoo, Mich. / Christian
28 Jack Anderson K 5-10 170 Fr. Castle Pines, Colo. / Rock Canyon
29 Kelvin Madjinor DB 5-9 180 So. Oak Park, Ill. / Oak Park and River Forest
30 Isaac Saunders RB 5-7 160 Fr. Brodhead, Wis. / Brodhead
30 Tommy Van Sickle LB 5-10 190 Jr. Antioch, Ill. / Antioch Community
32 Ramon Campos LB 5-11 225 So. Marshall, Wis. / Marshall
33 Roberto Dominguez DB 6-0 180 Jr. Antioch, Ill. / Antioch Community
33 Izaiah Dunlap RB 5-7 205 Fr. Waukesha, Wis. / South
34 Thomas Fowler DB 5-6 150 Sr. Hinckley, Ill. / Aurora Central Catholic
34 Eric McNeil RB 5-4 170 Fr. Aurora, Ill. / West Aurora
35 Carter Ferguson WR 5-11 175 Fr. Villa Park, Ill. / Willowbrook
35 Kyle Frymire LB 5-10 175 Sr. Schaumburg, Ill. / Hoffman Estates
36 Mykai Prince DB 6-1 185 So. Chicago, Ill. / Chicago Hope
37 Kedrick Johnson III DB 6-1 185 Jr. Homestead, Fla. / Homestead
37 Jay Washington RB 5-9 200 Fr. Milwaukee, Wis. / Martin Luther
38 Caden Logue TE 6-3 200 Fr. Indianapolis, Ind. / Franklin Central
39 AJ Prieboy DB 5-9 170 So. Munster, Ind. / Munster
40 Louis Gatta WR 5-9 180 Fr. Vernon Hills, Ill. / Vernon Hills
40 Sikiel Graves DL 5-10 260 Sr. Calumet Park, Ill. / Alan B. Shepard
41 Mugdim Kreho K 5-8 170 So. Chicago, Ill. / Lane Tech
41 Landon Paige LB 5-11 210 Fr. Chicago, Ill. / Notre Dame College Prep
43 Eric Antkiewicz K 6-0 160 Jr. Palos Heights, Ill. / St. Laurence
43 Tyler Simpson WR 6-2 170 So. Huntley, Ill. / Huntley
44 Aiden Lennon RB 5-11 225 So. Antioch, Ill. / Antioch Community
44 Austin Longmire DL 5-8 235 Sr. Naperville, Ill. / Central
45 Jeremy Rowlett DL 6-0 225 So. Chicago, Ill. / Shepard
46 Boston Bower DL 6-1 250 So. Lake in the Hills, Ill. / Huntley
46 Ivan Louris WR 5-8
47
48 Jordan Petty OL 6-3 243 Fr. Chicago, Ill. / Thornton Fractional North
49 Matthew Waterman TE 6-0 195 Fr. Lindenhurst, Ill. / Lakes Community
50 Joseph Kayon LB 6-0 209 Fr. Kenosha, Wis. / Shoreland Lutheran
51 Zachariah Jackson LB 5-8 190 Fr. Kenosha, Wis. / Indian Trail
52 John Pettit LB 5-11 230 Sr. Geneva, Ill. / Geneva Community
53 Keegan Pagel LB 5-10 185 Fr. Milwaukee, Wis. / Wisconsin Lutheran
56 Tanner List LB 5-10 200 Fr. Tinley Park, Ill. / Tinley Park
57 Cameron Goodson OL 6-3 300 Jr. Lake Villa, Ill. / Lakes
58 Yam Bumba DL 6-0 220 Jr. Denver, Colo. / Jefferson
59 Ethan Bieszczat LB 6-0 225 So. Winthrop Harbor, Ill. / Zion Benton
60 True Wallace-Larsen OL 6-0 250 Fr. Peoria, Ill. / Richwoods.
61 Vincent Martinez DL 6-2 197 Fr. Denver, Colo. / Lakewood
62 A.J. Lattimore OL 6-2 260 Jr. Waterloo, Ill. / Waterloo
63 Christian Gordon OL 6-4 285 So. Orlando, Fla. / Freedom
64 Roy Jones OL 6-0 285 Fr. Plainfield, Ill. / Joliet Catholic
66 Carson Lipska OL 6-2 300 Fr. Lake Villa, Ill. / Lakes
67 KC Brichta-Bachar DL 6-4 205 Fr. Trout Valley, Ill. / Crystal Lake South
68 McKevin Odne DE 6-2 200 Jr. Cooper City, Fla. / Cooper City
69 Ryan Pugh OL 6-0 240 Sr. Poulsbo, Wash. / North Kitsap
70 Andy Baccoli OL 6-1 280 Sr. Apple Valley, Minn. / Eastview
71 Christopher Isaccson OL 6-10 275 So. Grayslake, Ill. / Central
73 Stanley Ridley OL 6-1 275 Fr. Milwaukee, Wis. / Greenfield
74 Mihailo Milutinovic’ OL 6-4 285 Sr. Northbrook, Ill. / Glenbrook North
75 Matt Johnson OL 6-4 310 Sr. Lockport, Ill. / Lockport Township
76 Luke Cosme OL 6-3 275 Fr. Chicago, Ill. / Marist
77 Pedro Garcia OL 6-2 290 So. Gurnee, Ill. / Warren Township
78 Dominic Berardi DL 5-10 230 Fr. Plainfield, Ill. / South
79 Aidan Westerberg K 5-10 170 Fr. Oak Forest, Ill. / Oak Forest
80 Anthony Petrucci WR 5-10 155 Fr. Brookfield, Ill. / Riverside
81 Harry Wilson Jr. TE 6-5 235 So. New Orleans, La. / West Jefferson
82 Jack Tait WR 5-8 150 So. Chicago, Ill. / Notre Dame College Prep
83 Landen Ross WR 5-10 170 Fr. North Salem, Ind. / Covenant Christian
84 Jaylan Nelson DB 6-1 170 Jr. Milwaukee, Wis. / Bayview
85 Esai Sinceno WR 6-1 190 So. Chicago, Ill. / St. Patrick
86 Garrett Townsend WR 6-0 170 Jr. Indianapolis, Ind. / North Central
87 Joey Miller TE 6-0 229 Fr. Naperville, Ill. / Matea Valley
88 Mason Maleck OL 6-2 235 Fr. Orland Park, Ill. / Carl Sandburg
89 Peter Orlandino TE 6-3 245 Sr. Naperville, Ill. / Central
90 Eli Schubert K 5-9 155 So. Altavista, Va. / Altavista Combined
91 Zain Aqel DL 6-0 300 Fr. Orland Park, Ill. / Andrew
92 Daejon Nottage DL 6-3 190 Fr. Bridgeview, Ill. / Hyde Park Academy
93 Domanick Knott K 5-9 135 Fr. Galesville, Wis. / Galesville-Ettrick-Trempealeau
94 Ethan Ivan DL 6-2 320 So. Wilmont, Wis. / Wilmont
95 Matthew Burnette DL 6-4 230 Jr. Racine, Wis. / Horlick
97 Jackson Gutke DL 6-2 245 Sr. Antioch, Ill. / Antioch Community
98 Jordan Hughes DL 6-0 250 Jr. Chesterton, Ind. / Chesterton
99 Michael Sneed DL 6-5 250 Jr. New Lenox, Ill. / Lincoln-Way West
Head Coach: Matt Popino (First season)
Assistant Coaches: Jeff Duvendeck, Adam Weber, Breon Hoosier, Mike Davis, Connor Gibson, Rob Kruse, William Flaherty, JT Roberts, Orry Hellenbrand
Today we pay tribute to the 113 SJU players who have earned All-American status over the years
Thousands of talented football players have come through Collegeville in the 112-season history of the Saint John’s University football program.
But only 113 have earned the right to be called All-Americans.
Each of those players or their surviving family members have been invited to today’s game, and the football program will pay tribute to that list of Johnnie greats throughout the afternoon.
“It’s important to recognize the history of this great program,” SJU head coach Gary Fasching said. “I can’t think of a better way than to honor the players who helped build the foundation of Saint John’s football, and all of those who are responsible for carrying on this great tradition.
“In the 112-year history of Saint John’s football, we’ve had 113 All-Americans. These players stand out for the
extraordinary skill that they displayed on the field. Many were part of some of the greatest teams in our history, and they’ve left their mark on this program. They are the best of the best.”
Halfback Edward Callahan became SJU’s first All-American in 1938 after the Springfield (Minnesota) High School graduate led the Johnnies to their third conference title in four years. In all, SJU players have been named All-Americans 149 times, counting those who’ve earned the honor more than once.
Tight end Alex Larson and offensive lineman Joe Jaeger are the program’s most recent All-Americans, having earned the honor as seniors last season. It marked the thirdstraight year Larson accomplished the feat.
“To be included in this group means you are part of the best of the best to
ever come through Saint John’s,” said Larson, who went to rookie camp with both the Seattle Seahawks and New Orleans Saints this offseason and is now helping coach the Johnnie tight ends.
“It’s more than just being on a list. It’s a truly special and select group.”
Get your special edition Johnnie All-American poster! Today only.
PROUD
SPONSOR AND CONTRACTOR FOR JOHNNIE
ATHLETICS
Joe Kiley made the most of his opportunities
Joe Kiley hadn’t seen much action during his first two seasons at Saint John’s.
So when the coaching staff called his number in a matchup against Hamline in the third game of his junior year, he was naturally excited.
He was also more-than-a-little nervous.
“The guy who was slotted ahead of me got dinged up in practice, so I got a chance to play,” Kiley recalls. “One of the assistant coaches at the time told me he was going to keep his eye on me, and if I didn’t get the job done, they were going to find somebody who could.
“Well, of course, that had me paralyzed with fear. The first play, it was like my feet were frozen. But between the first and second play, I had a talk with myself and I found a way to get those feet moving.”
Indeed he did. Kiley’s play in that game - a 27-3 Johnnies’ victory - was enough to solidify a place in the starting lineup, and he remained there the rest of his career.
During his senior season in 1981, he had six blocked punts and earned MIAC MVP honors and a spot on the All-American team.
“Saint John’s had so many talented players around that time,” he said. “Guys like Rick Bell and Ernie England who were so good they saw the field
right away. I wasn’t one of those guys. I had to listen and learn. I really was a prime example of the kind of guys (head coach) John (Gagliardi) always talked about - ordinary players doing ordinary things extraordinarily well.”
Kiley hadn’t even planned on playing college football. As a senior at Owatonna High School, he was set to enlist in the Marines. But then he spoke with a fellow Owatonna graduate who had enlisted in the Navy.
“He told me that if I had a chance to play football for four more years, I should consider it,” Kiley said. “The military was always going to be there. That really made an impression on me. I decided to check out a few places. My uncle had gone to Saint John’s and my mom (Jean) and I went up to meet John.
“I fell in love with the place and the rest was history.”
at SJU
Kiley was an accounting major at SJU, who worked as a CPA at Ernst and Young following his college graduation. His SJU teammate Bob Basten then helped him land a job at American Express where he worked until his division was spun off into Ameriprise Financial. He left the corporate world seven years ago and now splits his time between Minnesota and Colorado.
His son Ricky and daughter Rachel attended SJU and the College of Saint Benedict respectively.
“I’ve been spending a lot of time exploring the west,” he said. “My wife Teri and I had always wanted to get out and camp, so we bought a travel trailer and traveled with our two golden retrievers Buck and Bear. That’s what we’ve been doing the past seven years.”
TRADITION UNRIVALED
On the basis of on-field accomplishments alone, the Saint John’s University football team ranks among the nation’s elite.
Through the years, the Johnnies have won four national championships at either the NAIA or NCAA Division III level (1963, 1965, 1976 and 2003), and have made 32 postseason appearances.
SJU has won or shared 36 Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference titles, 14 more than any other member school, and the program’s streak of eight-straight Division III playoff berths from 2014 to 2022 surpassed its own conference record.
Four Johnnies have won the Gagliardi Award, named in honor of legendary former SJU head coach John Gagliardi and handed out annually to the top player in Division III, and the program can boast 147 All-Americans and 35 Academic All-Americans.
But what makes football at Saint John’s special goes well beyond even all those numbers. During his 60 seasons in Collegeville, Gagliardi – whose 489 career victories are the most in college football history – developed his famous list of Nos which still form the program’s core values.
That list - which includes no whistles, no tackling in practice (players wear
shorts/ sweats and shoulder pads) and no blocking sleds or tackling dummies - has drawn national media interest over the years from venerable outlets such as Sports Illustrated, the New York Times, the Today Show and many, many others.
Then there is the atmosphere ...
Johnnie home games are truly an autumn playground: the vivid fall colors blazing from the trees in the woods surrounding the natural bowl that forms Clemens Stadium, the smoke rising from the grills behind the concession stands (home to the uniquely incredible heavenly apples) and, of course, the crowds.
SJU consistently ranks among the national leaders in attendance at the NCAA Division III level and has led the way 11 times since 2005.
Since the 2001 season, the program has recorded a single-game attendance number of 10,000 or more 23 times.
That included a record crowd of 17,327 for a matchup against St. Thomas in 2015, a game preceded by a live broadcast of ESPN’s “Sports Center on the Road” program.
Last season alone saw crowds of 11,321 and 10,477 for matchups against Bethel and Carleton respectively.
Add it all up and you have something beyond amazing.
You have ... a Tradition Unrivaled.
LAST SEASON IN PICTURES
Clemens Stadium
From the start, those in charge of developing the space now known as Clemens Stadium had something majestic in mind. So they set about turning a former cranberry bog into a natural bowl stadium that has been the home of Saint John’s University football for 116 years.
Ringed by the gorgeous fall colors of the surrounding Central Minnesota woods, the field has long become a destination spot, a status only solidified when Sports Illustrated named it one of college football’s top 10 “Dream Destinations” in 1999.
The facility itself has expanded often over the years. Concrete seating was added in 1933 and expanded in 1957. The familiar stone entrance behind the south end zone was built in 1939 and the first press box and concession stand were erected four years later. In 1997, local philanthropist Bill Clemens – the man for whom the stadium is named -- provided a million-dollar donation that allowed for construction of a new grandstand, an expanded press box, larger concession stands and restrooms and a new entrance. Another donation by Clemens, who attended SJU from 1938-40, made possible the installation of an artificial playing surface in 2002.
A third tier to the press box was added in 2009 and lights were installed in 2012.
Meanwhile, large crowds have been commonplace. SJU has finished among the national leaders in pergame attendance in NCAA Division III in each of the last 20 seasons –including crowds of 10,000 or more 23 times since 2001.
That included a facility-record 17,327 for a matchup against St. Thomas on Sept. 26, 2015 – a day in which ESPN’s “Sports Center On the Road” program was broadcast live from the stadium, and a crowd of 13,107
FOOTBALL FACILITIES
on hand to see legendary former coach John Gagliardi become the winningest coach in college football history when SJU beat Bethel 29-26 on Nov. 8, 2003.
Gagliardi Field
A big part of the success of the Saint John’s University football program over the years has been the way players of the past helped pave the way for players of the present and future.
The Gagliardi Field and Seasonal Dome complex is a perfect example of that sense of community. Named in honor of legendary former football coach John Gagliardi - the winningest coach in college history - it was made possible by gifts from more than 50 individual donors - many of whom were former players.
The artificial turf field has markings for a full-length football field, lacrosse, rugby, soccer, two crosscourt soccer fields, baseball and softball, along with three batting cages when the Skalicky Dome goes up from October to April each academic year.
It’s a year-round home for intramural sports on campus, but also serves as a practice facility for the football team and other varsity sports.
McGlynn Fitness Center
When it comes to training, the right facilities are important. But having the right people in place to staff them is just as critical.
Luckily, Saint John’s University has both.
The 5,600-feet McGlynn Fitness Center - which was made possible by a generous gift from the Burt McGlynn family, and is open to all students and alums - is equipped with a full range of free weights, upper-body, lower-body and fullcore machines, and cardiovascular machines such as treadmills, ellipticals and exercise bicycles.
FANDOM is TRADITION
The sixth annual Go Johnnies Challenge is set for Thursday, Sept. 12.
The 24-hour, online giving campaign benefits the Saint John’s University athletic department. Johnnie fans and supporters are encouraged to donate to the sport/s of their choosing and/or challenge their friends and former teammates with a matching gift.
A year ago, 852 donors contributed $242,412. The Go Johnnies Challenge has now raised over $1.25 million for SJU athletics in its first five years.
“Saint John’s Athletics is incredibly appreciative for the support we have received in the past and for our student-athletes,” said SJU athletic director Bob Alpers ‘82. “Please help us to continue to enhance the student-athlete experience here at SJU by participating in the Go Johnnies Challenge Thursday, Sept 12.
“Every gift, every size makes a difference as 100 percent of the dollars raised go directly to your sport.”
More information on this year’s campaign can be found on the 2024 Go Johnnies Challenge page at givecampus.com.
“We are profoundly grateful for the incredible support we have received from our alumni, parents and friends during our past Go Johnnies Challenge athletic giving campaigns,” said Adam Herbst, SJU’s executive director of university relations. “The generosity of our community fuels our athletes’ ambitions and unites our community in a shared spirit of excellence on the field, court, pitch, pool, track, rink and beyond.
“We invite your support again of SJU athletics now through September 12 at gojohnnies.com/gjc24. 100 percent of your support goes to your sport, and every gift of every size makes a difference for our student-athletes and coaches.”
This afternoon’s game marks the first meeting between Saint John’s and Carthage on the football field.
But the Johnnies have opened their season often against schools from Wisconsin over the years. In fact, 18 of SJU’s season openers have come against schools from the Badger State - most recently just two seasons ago when Aaron Syverson threw for 269 yards and three touchdowns as the Johnnies knocked off Division III powerhouse Wisconsin-Whitewater 24-10 before a crowd of 12,462 at Clemens Stadium.
But SJU’s first opener against a Wisconsin opponent came in 1906, when the Johnnies played host to Blaine High School of Superior, Wisconsin on Oct. 20. Led by standout William Francis Dugan ’09, the running game was the strength of that season’s team. Yet SJU’s effectiveness moving the ball was hampered by the wet conditions in Collegeville that afternoon.
“The fates seemed in league to effect St. John’s downfall for it had been raining for several days prior to the contest, and during the entire day
FEATURED FLASHBACK
on which the game was played, the leaden clouds unburdened their watered stock most magnanimously,” read an account of the game in that year’s Jubilee Yearbook.
In the end, despite a 20-yard touchdown run out of the left formation by Dugan, the Johnnies fell 17-6 to a team that outweighed them by an average of 20 pounds per man.
“The game was very interesting from beginning to finish, but as the field was in very poor condition Saint John’s was unable to profit by fast end runs, which is the local strong point,” reported The Record in its chronicle of the matchup. “Saint John’s feels satisfied that if the field had been dry, the game would have resulted very differently.”
On this date (Sept. 7) in history:
• John Gagliardi picked up his 100th career victory as SJU defeated Wisconsin-La Crosse 20-0 in Collegeville to open the 1968 season. Junior Bill Laliberte carried the ball 19 times for 127 yards, including a 50yard touchdown run in the third quarter and a touchdown run of 21 yards in the fourth.
• Just three plays into the 1996 season, Kurt Ramler connected with Bill Larson on a 70yard touchdown pass as SJU downed Bemidji State 20-2 in Collegeville. The Beavers finished with only 183 yards of total offense and only 48 in the second half.
• Jackson Erdmann threw for 235 yards and two touchdowns as the Johnnies opened the 2019 season with a 14-7 win on the road at Wisconsin-Stout.
1906 football team
GROWING COMPANIES ENHANCING COMMUNITIES
Granite Partners is a private investment and long-term holding company founded in 2002 in St. Cloud, Minnesota, with a mission to grow companies and create value for all stakeholders. We advance a culture of trust, innovation, and excellence as essential to 100-year sustainability, and we aspire to world-class wellbeing for everyone in the Granite community.
Upcoming Johnnie Events
Saturday, Sept. 7
STARTERS
When Saint John’s Has The Ball
SAINT JOHN’S OFFENSE
WR 1 Marselio Mendez Sr., 5-9, 165
WR 4 Riley Schwellenbach So., 5-9, 160
TE 0 Joey Gendreau Jr., 6-3, 230
LT 79 Tommy Hessburg Sr., 6-5, 310
LG 50 Nick McKenzie Sr., 6-1, 280
C 72 Charlie Folkens Sr., 6-3, 290
RG 55 Tom Soler Sr., 6-0, 280
RT 54 Grant Peroutka Sr., 6-1, 280
WR 2 Dylan Wheeler Jr., 6-2, 190
QB 6 Aaron Syverson Sr., 6-0, 195
RB 28 Quinn Christoffersen Sr., 5-10, 200
CARTHAGE DEFENSE
DE 6 Thomas King So., 6-2, 225
DT 98 Jordan Hughes Jr., 6-0, 255
DT 94 Ethan Ivan So., 6-2, 315
DE 9 Chris Gutierrez Sr., 6-2, 225
LB 52 John Pettit Sr., 5-11, 230
LB 32 Roman Campos So., 5-11, 215
LB 24 Evan Mutterer Sr., 5-10, 185
DB 8 Koen Abreu Jr., 6-0, 180
DB 22 Tanner Ludwig Sr., 6-4, 180
DB 2 Amari Hill Jr., 5-10, 160
DB 1 Jylique Barnes Jr., 5-10, 175
When Carthage Has The Ball
CARTHAGE OFFENSE
WR 18 Jackson Westmoreland Jr., 6-3, 175
TE 89 Peter Orlandino Jr., 6-3, 230
LT 57 Cam Goodson Jr., 6-3, 285
LG 70 Andy Baccoli Sr., 6-1, 280
C 75 Matt Johnson Sr., 6-4, 305
RG 62 AJ Lattimore Jr., 6-2, 275
RT 72 Lucas Kusmierz So., 6-6, 275
WR 11 Argjent Ismaili So., 6-2, 205
WR 5 Gavin Betts Jr., 6-2, 195
QB 3 Bryce Lowe Jr., 5-11, 185
RB 25 Bryce Frank So., 5-8, 200
SAINT JOHN’S DEFENSE
DE 9 Joe Akoh Sr., 6-4, 240
DT 97 Zach Frank Sr., 6-3, 270
DT 90 Landon Gallagher Sr., 6-2, 250
DE 32 Jake Schwinghammer Sr., 6-0, 215
LB 43 Hayden Sanders Sr., 6-0, 220
LB 23 Aiden McMahon So., 6-1, 220
LB 3 Cooper Yaggie Sr., 6-0, 210
CB 8 Peyton Goettlicher So., 5-11, 190
S 29 Cage Linton Sr., 5-11, 200
S 11 Noah Arneson Jr., 6-0, 195
CB 10 Mateo Cisneros Sr., 5-11, 195
Saint John’s Specialists
K 12 Conor Murphy Sr., 5-10, 180
P 18 Spencer Ell Sr., 5-11, 185
LS 44 Andrew Molenaar Jr., 6-0, 230
H 18 Spencer Ell Sr., 5-11, 185
KR 1 Marselio Mendez Sr., 5-9, 165
PR 1 Marselio Mendez Sr., 5-9, 165
Carthage Specialists
K 43 Eric Antkiewicz So., 6-0, 160
P 43 Eric Antkiewicz So., 6-0, 160
LS 22 Tanner Ludwig Sr., 6-4, 180
KR 1 Jylique Barnes Jr., 5-10, 175
PR 24 Chuckie Smith Sr., 6-2, 195
Golf at Minnesota Classic Soccer vs. St. Norbert (Wis.)
Sunday, Sept. 8
Golf at Minnesota Classic
Tuesday, Sept. 10
Soccer vs. Minnesota-Morris
Saturday, Sept. 14
Football vs. Wartburg (Iowa) Golf vs. SJU Fall Invitational
Sunday, Sept. 15
Golf vs. SJU Fall Invitational
Tuesday, Sept. 17
Soccer vs. Macalester
Saturday, Sept. 21
Cross Country at St. Olaf Invite Soccer at Hamline
Friday, Sept. 27 Tennis at ITA Regional
Saturday, Sept. 28
Football at Bethel Golf at Twin Cities Classic Soccer vs. Saint Mary’s Swimming & Diving vs. Alumni Tennis at ITA Regional
