Oct. 5 vs. Augsburg
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GAME PREVIEW
Today’s Matchup: Saint John’s forced five turnovers, including two interceptions from freshman cornerback Westin Hoyt in his first collegiate start, and totaled 475 yards of offense in a 45-20 win at then-No. 24 Bethel last Saturday (Sept. 28) to open MIAC play. Senior quarterback Aaron Syverson ended the day 28 of 38 passing for 362 yards and three touchdowns, while junior wide receiver Dylan Wheeler caught nine of his passes for 113 yards and two scores. Junior Caden Wheeler made his first start of the season at running back and had 20 carries for 86 yards to lead the way on the ground five weeks and one day after preseason surgery that put a screw in his foot to repair a broken foot (Jones fracture). Augsburg, meanwhile, suffered a 28-0 home loss to Gustavus Adolphus last weekend in its conference opener. The Auggies went 3-for-16 on third down, mustered only 165 yards of offense (29 rushing and 136 passing) and threw three interceptions.
Series History: Today’s game is the 85th meeting between Saint John’s and Augsburg on the football field. The Johnnies are 73-9-2 all-time against the Auggies, including a 36-5
record here in Collegeville. SJU has outscored Augsburg 399-54 over the last nine meetings overall.
SJU’s Homecoming History: SJU is 72-20-2 (.777) in 94 known Homecoming games dating back to 1925, including a 15-2 record against Augsburg, the Johnnies’ most-frequent opponent. The Johnnies have won 32 of their last 37 Homecoming games.
Another MIAC-Opening Win: The Johnnies are now 70-25-7 (.721) alltime in their first MIAC game of the season, including a 36-14-3 (.708) record away from Collegeville and a 7-1 record against Bethel (4-0 in Collegeville and 3-1 on the road). It took SJU until its 11th season in the MIAC to win its first conference game of the season, a 7-0 home shutout of Hamline on Oct. 3, 1931. SJU was 0-6-4 in its first 10 conference openers and is 70-19-3 (.777) since.
A Record for Wheeler: Dylan Wheeler became the first Johnnie in program history to record 100 receiving yards or more in the season’s first three games in last Saturday’s road win. He caught nine passes for 139 yards and three touchdowns in the Sept. 7 season
opener vs. Carthage (Wis.) and followed that with 12 grabs for 105 yards Sept. 14 against Wartburg (Iowa). The 100-yard receiving game was the sixth for Wheeler, who now has 84 receptions for 1,105 yards and 13 touchdowns over his last 12 games. Blake Elliott ’03 eclipsed 100 receiving yards in four of SJU’s first five games in 2002, but fell eight yards short (six catches for 92 yards and two touchdowns) in the Johnnies’ week 2, 56-0 win over Hamline in Collegeville. Elliott owns the program record for 100-yard receiving games with 22.
3 from the MIAC Record: The three passing touchdowns enabled Syverson to pass Jackson Erdmann ’19 (2016-19) for second in MIAC history with 76 in conference play, three behind the record of 79 owned by Augsburg’s Ayrton Scott (2012-15). The 300-yard passing game was the 12th for Syverson, who is now three from the program record of 15 held by Erdmann. The win also broke Syverson’s tie with Tom Linnemann ’00 and Kurt Ramler ’97 for sole possession of third in SJU history with 28 (28-4 record).
AROUND THE
2024 MIAC Standings
Wartburg College
Knights
Head Coach: Chris Winter 2024 Record: 3-1 2024 ARC Record: 2-0
Sept. 7 at Monmouth (Ill.) W, 38-24
Sept. 14 at Saint John’s L, 13-35
Sept. 21 at Central (Iowa) W, 10-6
Sept. 28 Nebraska Wesleyan W, 34-0
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 2024 Record: 2-1 2024 MIAC Record: 1-0
Sept. 7 at Pomona-Pitzer (Calif.) L, 12-28
Sept. 21 Minnesota-Morris W, 28-7
Sept. 28 at Hamline W, 24-14
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
2024 Record: 2-1
2024 MIAC Record: 0-1
Sept. 14 at Northwestern (Minn.) W, 49-3
Sept. 21 UW-Eau Claire W, 51-30
Sept. 28 Saint John’s L, 20-45
Oct. 5 at Gustavus Adolphus 1 p.m.
Oct. 12 Macalester 1 p.m.
Oct. 19 Augsburg 1 p.m.
Oct. 26 at Hamline 1 p.m.
Nov. 2 Carleton 1 p.m.
Nov. 9 at Concordia 1 p.m.
Nov. 16 at MIAC Week 1 p.m.
Gustavus Adolphus College Gusties
Head Coach: Peter Haugen
2024 Record: 2-1
2024 MIAC Record: 1-0
Sept. 7 Whitworth (Wash.) L, 7-40
Sept. 21 at UW-Stevens Point W, 31-10
Sept. 28 at Augsburg W, 28-0
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
2024 Record: 1-2
2024 MIAC Record: 0-1
Sept. 6 Valley City State (N.D.) L, 14-24
Sept. 21 at Martin Luther W, 34-7
Sept. 28 Gustavus Adolphus L, 0-28
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 12 p.m.
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 2024 Record: 1-2 2024 MIAC Record: 0-1
Sept. 14 Rockford (Ill.) L, 24-31
Sept. 21 at Crown W, 35-15
Sept. 28 at Concordia L, 0-35
Oct. 5 Macalester 1 p.m.
Oct. 12 at Gustavus Adolphus 1 p.m.
Oct. 19 at St. Olaf 1 p.m.
Oct. 26 Carleton 1 p.m.
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
Blake Ehlert
6-0, 185, defensive back, St. Cloud Cathedral High School
What is your best memory of your time here – on or off the field?
My very first game my freshman year was something I’ll never forget. There’s a whole different experience and energy here that you can’t explain without experiencing it.
What is your funniest memory from football at SJU?
Either the talent show that we have every year at the end of fall camp or Halloween practice where everybody wears a costume.
What are some of your hobbies?
Definitely video games. But I’ve also worked at KIDSTOP with the Boys & Girls Club of Central Minnesota since the summer going into my freshman year.
Quinn Christoffersen
5-10, 200, running back, South St. Paul High School
What is something most people wouldn’t know about you?
I am licensed and trained in first aid, CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and AED (automated external defibrillator).
What made you decide to come to Saint John’s?
The strong sense of community and the personalized, smaller classes.
What is the most interesting place to which you’ve traveled? Morocco.
Liam O’Malley
6-0, 175, defensive back, Booker (Florida) High School
What is your favorite spot on campus and why?
Clemens Stadium. It’s beautiful whether empty or full – in completely different ways.
What is something most people wouldn’t know about you?
I want to own a home farm/animal sanctuary in the future for lots of different pets.
Who is someone you really admire and why?
My parents are my heroes. Every single day I work to make them proud.
Hayden Sanders
6-0, 220, linebacker, Champlin Park High School
What is your major and why did you choose it?
I chose to be an accounting major because I wanted to benefit from the department’s prestige, national recognition and dedicated faculty.
What are some of your hobbies? Graphic design.
If you were trapped on a desert island, what teammate would you want with you and why?
Either Evan Wahlin or Zach Hunter. One is a visionary and the other never fails to make you laugh.
Sean Lew
6-2, 280, offensive line, Shadow Hills (California) High School
What is your funniest memory from football at SJU?
The daily jokes and banter between our players – especially our offensive linemen.
What is your favorite spot on campus?
All the lakes.
Who is someone you really admire and why?
My older brother. I grew up following in his footsteps and learning from him.
Hayden Sanders
By Frank Rajkowski
Giving back comes naturally to SJU’s Schwinghammer
Helping out in the community has always been important to Jake Schwinghammer.
It’s a value the Saint John’s University senior linebacker, who ranks among his team’s leading tacklers this season, inherited from his mother, Kim.
“She’s always told me no matter what the situation is, or how much money you have, you should always try to find ways to give back,” Schwinghammer said. “She’s been doing that her whole life. She got me started volunteering at our church when I was a kid, and I’ve tried to keep doing it ever since.
“It wasn’t any different when I got here. I tried to look for those kinds of opportunities.”
The Tartan High School graduate has certainly found them. He’s raised money for St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital since he arrived in Collegeville, and this year he serves as president of the College of Saint Benedict and SJU St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital Club.
He is also the co-founder and vice
president of the Johnnies and Bennies in Communities Club, which partners on community service projects with organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters and Feed My Starving Children.
While studying abroad in London during the spring semester earlier this year, he spent eight weeks working at a school for adult students with special needs through an internship with Caritas Westminster.
And the biochemistry major (premedicine emphasis) spent a week in May in Guatemala as a medical volunteer, working in medical clinics that provide free health care to underprivileged residents, some of whom come from hundreds of miles away.
Those efforts haven’t gone unnoticed. Last month, he was one of just 22 players across all divisions of college football to earn a spot on the 2024 Allstate American Football Coaches Association Good Works Team.
The team was established in 1992 to recognize “a select group of college football players who have made a commitment to service and enriching the lives of others.”
Schwinghammer is the eighth SJU player to earn a spot on the team and the seventh in the past eight seasons. Wide receiver Jimmy Buck – with whom Schwinghammer co-captained the football team’s St. Jude’s fundraising efforts last season –earned a spot on the squad a year ago.
“It’s an honor to be associated with some of the names in this program who’ve been picked for this team,” said Schwinghammer, who will join the rest of this year’s honorees in New Orleans to participate in a special community service project in advance of the 2025 Allstate Sugar Bowl on New Year’s Day.
The team will then be recognized on the field at halftime.
“There’s a long history of giving back at SJU and I’m just glad to be part of it,” he continued. “It’s something that gets passed down. Even now, I’m on the lookout for underclassmen who are interested in taking advantage of the opportunities we’re offered here to carry on the tradition.
SJU OFFENSIVE LINE BONDS ON & OFF THE FIELD
Grant Peroutka has spent a good chunk of time around his four fellow starters on the SJU offensive line over the past few years.
Not just on the field, but off it as well.
“We’re probably one of the most tightknit position groups on the team,” said the 6-foot-1, 280-pound Rosemount High School graduate, a three-year starter who earned All-MIAC first-team honors at right tackle last season.
“We go to dinner, hang out. We’re always doing something together. There’s a lot of familiarity and trust there. We know what the other guys are going to do almost before they do it.”
That chemistry and experience has made the Johnnie front five a key ingredient in the team’s offensive success so far this fall – providing protection for four-year starting quarterback Aaron Syverson and punching holes in the running game for
GRANT PEROUTKA
Right Tackle
left guard Nick McKenzie, a 6-foot-1, 280-pound graduate of New LondonSpicer High School, saw time as a sophomore before breaking into the starting lineup full time last year.
Right guard Tom Soler, a 6-foot, 280-pound Hill-Murray alum, is starting for the first time, but boasts plenty of experience too.
“I think we’ve all matured a lot – on and off the field – over the course of our time here,” Soler said. “We work together super well. We spend so much time outside football together that we don’t have any secrets. We trust each other and we all know we can count on the guy next to us.”
T OMMY HESSBURG
Left Tackle
“I’ve always said that you build football teams up front – both offensively and defensively,” Fasching said. “When you have a group like this, who have played the number of games these guys have, it makes a big difference.
“We know we can count on them to take care of everything we need them to.”
Each of the Johnnies starting linemen are quick to credit position coach Mike Magnuson as a big part of their success.
Johnnies head coach Gary Fasching knows he can trust the group
“We have a special connection with him,” Soler said. “He’s a guy who’s been around this program a long time – first as a player and now as a coach. So he knows what it’s like for us. He listens and asks our opinions.
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CHARLIE FOLKENS
Center
TOM SOLER
Right Guard
and that’s a career where you can
McKenzie is an elementary education major who is looking at teaching as
“I want to be a coach as well,” he said. “I wrestled and played football in high school and I’d like to coach both sports. Teaching is a career that will
Peroutka is a global business leadership major with minors in computer science and data analytics. He has already accepted an offer to work in the finance department at Donaldson Co., the Bloomingtonbased filtration group where he completed an internship last summer. Soler, meanwhile, is also a global business leadership major with a minor in exercise and health science. He spent last summer interning at the
NICK MCKENZIE
Left Guard
company as well.
But before any of that happens, there is a final season to complete.
“We all work out together in the offseason and we’ve put in a lot of time getting stronger and faster,” Folkens said. “Now it’s nice seeing all that hard work coming to fruition.”
“Our motto this year is to go out and have fun,” Peroutka added. “It’s our senior year. It’s our last shot at playing college football and we want to make
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 2014-22 (no season in 2020) – a program and
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, ending 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 linemen. 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.
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 two-time 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 a 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 2003-’05, 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, Alex Larson was a three-time All-American at tight end as a player. He is in his first season on the coaching staff.
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 Charlie King Fr. DL 6-6 260 Faribault, Minn./Bethlehem Academy
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 Daylen Cummings Fr. DB 6-0 190 Lino Lakes, Minn./Centennial
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 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 So. 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
0 Tyrone Wilson Jr. WR 6-3 190 Ellendale, Minn./NRHEG
1 CJ Ritchie So. WR 6-2 205 Blaine, Minn./Irondale
2 Marcus Kimbrough Sr. DB 5-11 175 Minneapolis, Minn./Southwest
3 Marcus Freeman Jr. QB 6-1 195 Brooklyn Park, Minn./Park Center
4 Hamsa Kahin Sr. LB 6-2 200 Eden Prairie, Minn./Edina
5 Jax Bokman Jr. DB 6-3 180 Faribault, Minn./Bethlehem Academy
5 Ben Davis So. WR 5-10 160 New Brighton, Minn./Fridley
6 Tray Bogard-Merrick Sr. DB 6-0 160 Minneapolis, Minn./Patrick Henry
7 Michael Lau Jr. TE 6-3 220 Hermantown, Minn./Hermantown
8 Elijah Beckfeld Jr. DB 6-0 185 Apple Valley, Minn./Apple Valley
9 Tramone Nevels Sr. DB 6-0 160 Minneapolis, Minn./Southwest
10 Caden Rodkewich So. QB 6-1 190 New Brighton, Minn./St. Anthony Village
10 Abdulahi Kahin So. LB 6-1 208 Eden Prairie, Minn./Edina
11 Dominic Smith Sr. WR/P 6-3 200 White Bear Lake, Minn./White Bear Lake
12 De’Leon Gardner Jr. DB 6-1 190 Minneapolis, Minn./Patrick Henry
13 Tyrique Givance Sr. WR 6-2 180 Champlin, Minn./Champlin Park
15 Nick Norman So. LB 6-0 205 Maple Grove, Minn./Osseo
16 Ryan Harvey Jr. QB 6-4 220 Plymouth, Minn./Wayzata
17 Evan Coffey Jr. WR 5-10 180 St. Paul, Minn./Two Rivers
18 Deshaun Pongsak Fr. QB 6-2 204 Minneapolis, Minn./Brooklyn Center
19 Nemo Ponder So. DB 5-11 190 Crystal, Minn./Robbinsdale Cooper
21 Marcus Mattox Sr. DB 5-11 180 Richfield, Minn./Minneapolis Southwest
22 Ari Gaiters So. RB 5-10 200 Shakopee, Minn./Shakopee
23 Ade Batz-Rogers So. DB 5-7 140 Minneapolis, Minn./Southwest
23 Carter Johnson So. RB 5-9 170 Pelican Rapids, Minn./Pelican Rapids
24 Darnell Harper Sr. LB 5-10 190 Minneapolis, Minn./Southwest
25 Will Smith So. RB 6-2 200 Minneapolis, Minn./North
26 London Campbell Fr. DB 6-1 170 Mankato, Minn./West
27 Gerald Shepherd Jr. Sr. LB 6-1 205 Minneapolis, Minn./Robbinsdale Armstrong
28 Jeffrey Branson III Fr. DB 5-10 185 Farmington, Minn./Farmington
29 Joe Zachow Jr. DB 6-0 180 Mound, Minn./Mound-Westonka
32 Datelle Straub Jr. DB 5-10 180 Minneapolis, Minn./Patrick Henry
33 Jamir Horton Fr. DB 6-0 160 St. Paul, Minn./Roseville Area
34 James Beaver So. DB 6-3 160 Shakopee, Minn./Shakopee
35 Omar Madkour Fr. RB 6-0 205 Plymouth, Minn./Wayzata
36 Lamar Webb Jr. Jr. RB 5-9 230 Milwaukee, Wis./Rufus King
37 Kerome Thompson So. DB 5-11 180 Andover, Minn./Fridley
38 Javion Saunders Fr. DB 5-11 165 St. Paul, Minn./Johnson
39 Teshay Jubril Fr. RB 5-8 170 St. Paul, Minn./Tartan
40 Avian Atkins Fr. RB 5-5 187 Vadnais Heights, Minn./White Bear Lake
41 Will Townsend So. LB 6-1 200 Apple Valley, Minn./Apple Valley
42 Tenzin Tendhar Fr. RB 5-10 190 Fridley, Minn./North St. Paul
43 Lucio Rivera Fr. WR 5-10 172 West St. Paul, Minn./Simley
44 Rio Starr Jr. LB 6-1 225 Minneapolis, Minn./South
45 A. Marquez-Reagan Jr. So. LB 6-0 225 New Brighton, Minn./Irondale
46 Jermell Taylor So. TE 6-3 235 Eden Prairie, Minn./Eden Prairie
47 Javan Harvey So. LB 6-2 200 Mahtomedi, Minn./Mahtomedi
48 Trent Taylor Jr. LB 6-1 210 Mounds View, Minn./Irondale
49 Tate Goaley Fr. WR 6-5 205 South St. Paul, Minn./Two Rivers
50 Frankie Montano Fr. DL 5-10 240 Rogers, Minn./Rogers
51 Teddy Lovan-Jackson Jr. DL 6-2 200 Minneapolis, Minn./South
52 Michael Winston So. LB 6-0 225 Bloomington, Minn./Kennedy
53 Warrique Bragg So. OL 6-4 290 Shakopee, Minn./Shakopee
54 Dylan Owens Jr. DL 6-2 270 Andover, Minn./Andover
55 Lucas Myhre So. OL 6-4 275 Eagan, Minn./Eagan
56 Corey Deloach Jr. So. OL 5-10 288 Minneapolis, Minn./Robbinsdale Cooper
57 Ja’Shaun Bostic Fr. LB 5-7 210 Bloomington, Minn./Kennedy
59 Joshua Lor Fr. LB 6-0 220 Minneapolis, Minn./Edison
60 Bobby Arnold Fr. LB 5-10 235 St. Paul, Minn./Johnson
62 Michael Harris Sr. OL 6-0 315 St. Paul, Minn./Tartan
63 Alejandro Herrera So. OL 6-2 252 Minneapolis, Minn./Southwest
65 Ruben Garcia Fr. DL 5-11 290 Oakdale, Minn./Tartan
66 Mykel Alexander So. DL 6-3 288 St. Paul, Minn./Roseville Area
69 Tysean Hughes So. OL 6-0 275 Minneapolis, Minn./Patrick Henry
70 Andrew Hahn Sr. OL 6-6 290 Avon, Minn./Albany
71 Adam Newby Fr. DL 6-3 205 Roseville, Minn./Roseville Area
72 Westen Wendling Fr. OL 6-4 340 Faribault, Minn./Northfield
73 Demarco Pinckney Fr. OL 6-3 355 Minnetonka, Minn./Hopkins
74 Ahadu Alemu So. OL 6-4 310 Farmington, Minn./Eastview
75 Vincent Gladbach Sr. OL 6-4 308 Minneapolis, Minn./Washburn
76 Kevin Grundhoffer Sr. OL 5-11 285 Montgomery, Minn./Northfield
77 Jaedon Nygaard So. OL 6-2 280 Edina, Minn./Edina
78 Hakara Ogul Fr. OL 6-7 302 Columbia Hts., Minn./Columbia Hts.
79 Noah Ackerman Fr. OL 5-11 250 Northfield, Minn./Northfield
80 Devin Schelske Sr. TE 6-0 225 Pocatello, Idaho/Century
81 Romelio Love Fr. WR 5-8 170 New Brighton, Minn./Minnehaha Acad.
82 Dustin Bethke Sr. WR 5-11 180 Lakeville, Minn./Apple Valley
83 EJ Kilgore So. WR 5-11 160 Burnsville, Minn./Burnsville
84 Carter Wendroth Sr. WR 6-0 180 St. Peter, Minn./St. Peter
85 Jordan Doe Sr. WR 6-0 187 Coon Rapids, Minn./Coon Rapids
86 Kobey Howze-Sandifer Fr. WR 5-11 175 St. Paul, Minn./Academy
87 Jalen Beard Fr. WR 5-7 140 Minneapolis, Minn./North
88 Dominic Jackson So. WR 5-11 180 Shakopee, Minn./Shakopee
89 Jaylen Gayles Fr. WR 6-0 156 St. Paul, Minn./Cretin-Derham Hall
90 Godmar Gach Sr. DL 6-2 220 Worthington, Minn./Worthington
91 Nathan Wangensteen Jr. K 5-11 195 Chisholm, Minn./Chisholm
92 Connor Elliott Jr. DL 6-2 240 Apple Valley, Minn./Apple Valley
93 CJ Dickerson Fr. DL 5-10 250 St. Paul, Minn./Robbinsdale Armstrong
94 Javin Johnson Fr. DL 6-3 214 Savage, Minn./Prior Lake
95 Nico Brown Sr. DL 6-1 245 White Bear Lake, Minn./White Bear Lake
96 Yassin Hersi Jr. DL 6-4 240 Ramsey, Minn./Anoka
97 Tayvion Gardner Jr. DL 6-2 245 Apple Valley, Minn./Apple Valley
98 Ethan Tegels Sr. DL 6-0 250 Cadott, Wis./Cadott
99 Griffin Thom So. DL 6-4 237 Coon Rapids, Minn./Coon Rapids
Head Coach: Derrin Lamker (Fifth season)
Assistant Coaches: Rich Wilkie, Nathan Tenut, Jeff Rogers, Johnson Fallah, Corey Boyer, Jason Moden, Jack Osberg, Nate Plasch, Royce Winford, Marcus Sims, Claud Allaire, Paul Lemke, Connor Wilkie
JOHNNIES TACKLE CANCER
Today marks Saint John’s University’s annual Tackle Cancer game.
Each season, SJU joins other colleges and high schools across Minnesota in designating a game to raise money to benefit the Randy Shaver Cancer and Research Community Fund. It’s a tradition that began when Gary Fasching took over the Johnnies’ head coaching job in 2013.
Shaver, who retired from his longtime role as a KARE-11 TV anchor this past summer, is a survivor of bouts with both Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and prostate cancer. Since 2012, the Tackle Cancer campaign has raised more than $3.4 million to support Minnesota’s cancer community – including more than $566,000 in 2023 alone.
At SJU, close to $125,000 has been raised in just the last six years. Proceeds from the sale of Tackle Cancer shirts, as well as donations collected at the game and money SJU players raise on their own, goes to fund research, prevention, treatment and other programs related to the cancer community’s needs.
It’s a cause that’s deeply personal for Fasching, who lost his sister Rita to brain cancer in 2019, and to many of his players as well.
“The first year we did this, I asked our team how many of them had family members who had been impacted by cancer in some way and every player raised their hands,” said Fasching, who also has a brother and niece who have battled cancer.
“It hits home for everyone, which is why it’s so important for our program to step up and do something to help out in this fight.”
Fasching and his wife Cindy (who lost her mother and a sister to cancer), also sit on the Shaver Fund advisory board.
“We’re part of making the decisions on where the money gets used, and we’ve had the chance to listen to researchers at the University of Minnesota talk about how close they are to finding a cure,” Fasching said. “That’s why every dollar raised is so pivotal. It makes such a huge difference.”
Donations are being collected in the stadium, or use the QR code below to donate directly via Venmo.
PROUD
SPONSOR AND CONTRACTOR FOR JOHNNIE
ATHLETICS
ALL-AMERICAN PROFILE
Steve Cummings was a breakout star at linebacker
It wasn’t football that first drew Steve Cummings to Saint John’s University.
“I fell in love with the place as a fourth grader when I went to basketball camp there,” recalls Cummings, who went on to a standout athletic career at Hopkins Lindbergh before graduating in the spring of 1979. “I went there every year until I started high school, even though football was more my sport. Then, in high school, we started going to games up there.
“I had an older brother who graduated from Saint John’s in 1979. So I got pretty familiar with the campus. I always knew it was where I wanted to go. I didn’t apply to any other schools.”
en route to a conference title and a berth in the NAIA playoffs.
“We had such a talented group (that season),” he said. “Guys like (quarterback Denny Schleper and running back Rick Bell) were amazing,
Cummings, a linebacker, saw action mainly on special teams as a freshman and sophomore, but broke into the starting lineup as a juniorsetting the stage for a stellar senior season in 1982.
That fall, Cummings emerged as a leader of a defense that allowed an MIAC-low 245.7 yards per game
and on defense, I was lucky enough to have some great defensive linemen playing in front of me. That made it easy as a linebacker to fly around unencumbered.”
Cummings’ unencumbered play helped make him one of four SJU players (Bell, offensive lineman John Sowada and defensive back Chuck
Williams were the others) to earn a spot on the NAIA All-American team that year.
Away from the field, Cummings was a natural science major who briefly attended dental school after graduation before deciding to pursue a master’s degree in toxicology at the University of Minnesota. In 1987, he founded Nova Group GBC, which is now an international, multidisciplinary advisory firm providing environmental, engineering and energy services in North America and the rest of the world.
The firm’s scientists and engineers provide guidance and solutions to the real estate injury.
“Risk assessment is what we do,” said Cummings, who was named the 2018 SJU entrepreneur of the year. “We’re able to assess the risk of projects from scientific, engineering and other environmental perspectives.”
Cummings and his wife, Laurie, a 1982 College of Saint Benedict graduate, still reside in Minnesota. The couple has four children, three of whom attended either CSB or SJU.
Daughter Bridget, a 2015 graduate, played golf for the Bennies. Son Jack ’18, played golf for the Johnnies and was the 2017-18 SJU Student Senate president.
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 No’s 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 WEEK IN PICTURES
FOOTBALL FACILITIES
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
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 coach John Gagliard, 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 Bob Basten Excellence in Leadership Award is presented annually to a former Saint John’s University football player who has exhibited outstanding leadership traits, has been involved in his community and with his alma mater, has carried a sense of fair play beyond the football field and has demonstrated an overall commitment to excellence.
That reads like a perfect description of Denis McDonough (No. 18 in the photo below, and upper right).
The 1992 SJU graduate – who helped lead the Johnnies to MIAC titles in 1989 and ’91 – has gone on to serve at the highest levels of government, including as the current U.S. secretary of Veterans Affairs (a post he has said he will remain in through January of 2025) and as White House chief of staff to former president Barack Obama.
That long record of public service makes him an ideal choice as this year’s Basten Award recipient.
The award was created in 2009 and is named in honor of Basten ’82, who went to training camp with the Minnesota Vikings before embarking on a successful career as a business executive. He died in 2012 after a decade-long battle with ALS/Lou Gehrig’s Disease.
“I didn’t know him, but I certainly know
INDUCTIONS HIGHLIGHT HOMECOMING
SATURDAY
of him,” said McDonough, who will receive the award as part of halftime festivities today.
“It’s a huge honor to be associated with someone who was such a force on the field and was so beloved by everyone who played with him. I have so much admiration for his business acumen – especially founding Centerprise Advisers (now UHY Advisors, a leading tax and business consulting firm) – and for the way he stared down adversity through his battle with ALS.
“When you look at the past winners of this award, it’s such an amazing group of people,” he continued. “It’s a humbling accomplishment to be associated with the other names on that list.”
McDonough played for legendary former SJU head coach John Gagliardi, who remains the winningest coach in college football history. He was part of teams that advanced to the NCAA Division III national semifinals in both 1989 and ’91, and finished his collegiate career with 12 interceptions, 171 tackles (70 solo) and 25 passes defended in a total of 38 games played.
Off the field, he graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in history and Spanish and was chosen as his class’s commencement speaker.
“I learned a number of lessons playing at Saint John’s,” McDonough said. “We used to run a 5-2 read defense in which everybody had a gap to defend. If everyone defended their gaps, our opponents didn’t advance. That showed me that 11 men working together could make anything happen.
“The second lesson was the respect
John accorded us by insisting we called him by his first name. I was floored by that. To me, it was such a great example of leadership and management. Here was a person who controlled access to our dreams – in terms of deciding whether we saw the field or not. But he treated us as human beings and as people who had meaning. That always stuck with me.”
Hall of Honor ceremony tonight McDonough is not the only former Johnnie great being honored today.
Twelve individuals and one team will be inducted into Saint John’s University’s J-Club Hall of Honor at a ceremony following today’s game in Guild Hall. The dinner and enshrinement ceremony are scheduled to begin at 5:15 p.m. in Guild Hall (Old Gym).
This year’s class of inductees – who will be honored prior to kickoff of today’s game – are as follows:
• Rick Bell ’83
• Chuck Ceronsky ’70
• Stacy Christensen ’76
• Al Eisele ’58
• Ernie England ’81
• Bill Laliberte ’70
• Dick Matchinsky ’57
• Tim Miles ’76
• Nathan Proshek ’04
• Luke Vestrum ’03
• Mike Fahey ’75 and Thom Woodward ’70 (J-Club Distinguished Service Award)
• 1978-79 basketball team
Bill Arth was in his first season of college football in the fall of 1932.
But the Saint John’s second-string halfback managed to make a huge impact when his team needed him most.
The Johnnies brought a record of 5-0 into their home matchup against Augsburg on Oct. 22 of that year, and had a chance to wrap up at least a share of their first MIAC title with a victory.
Arth madę sure that happened, rushing for two touchdowns – including an 83-yard scoring scamper in the second half – to put the finishing touches on a 31-0 win. It’s a run that is still tied for the eighth-longest in school history.
“Bill is even faster on the gridiron than in his social functions,” read his description in that school year’s edition of The Sagatagan yearbook.
“And when he sprinted 83 yards for a touchdown against Augsburg, he made the chalkmarks look like a whitewashed wall.”
FEATURED FLASHBACK
Arth’s mate in the second-string backfield, Walter Johnson, also had a big day against the Auggies –rushing for a pair of second-quarter touchdowns.
“Walter Johnson, formerly of the Washington Senators, has nothing on his namesake at St. John’s in the matter of speed,” wrote The Sagatagan, alluding to the Hall of Fame pitcher who shared Johnson’s name.
“Only our diminutive speed merchant, becoming recognized as the Phantom Halfback, has it in his legs. He was the smallest man on the team, but he furnished Johnnie fans with plenty of thrills with his scampering hither and yon, and with his shifting around to trickle through the frantic clutches of berserk huskies.”
SJU’s winning ways that season increased the team’s following on and off campus, a fact Walt Grinols of the St. Cloud Times was quick to note in a column that ran two days after the Augsburg victory.
“The aftermath of the Augsburg game last Saturday proved that fans love a winner,” Grinols wrote. “There were probably more people attending from ‘outside’ than at any game in recent years with the exception of the Homecoming game a year ago.”
The win – combined with a St. Thomas victory over Concordia in Moorhead –meant the Johnnies clinched a share of their first conference title, a huge step forward for a program that had only finished in the upper half of the MIAC standings twice since joining the league in 1921.
On This Date (Oct. 5) in SJU History
1901 – Chuck Houska and William Kilty each had touchdown runs as the Johnnies held off St. Cloud High School 11-6. Kilty’s scoring scamper – a 10-yarder – closed the scoring.
2019 – Senior quarterback Jackson Erdmann threw for 255 yards and five touchdowns as SJU celebrated Homecoming with a 61-6 win over Augsburg at Clemens Stadium.
Arth
Johnson
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Upcoming Johnnie Events
Saturday, Oct. 5
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 27 Caden Wheeler Sr., 5-10, 200
AUGSBURG DEFENSE
DE 95 Nico Brown Sr., 6-1, 245
NG 54 Dylan Owens Jr., 6-2, 270
DE 98 Ethan Tegels Sr., 6-0, 250
OLB 24 Darnell Harper Sr., 5-10, 190
MLB 45 Anselmo Marquez-Reagan Jr. So., 6-0, 225
MLB 44 Rio Starr Jr., 6-1, 225
OLB 4 Hamsa Kahin Sr., 6-2, 200
CB 2 Marcus Kimbrough Sr., 5-11, 175
FS 5 Jax Bokman Jr., 6-3, 180
SS 9 Tramone Nevels Sr., 6-0, 160
CB 8 Elijah Beckfeld Jr., 6-0, 185
When Augsburg Has the Ball
AUGSBURG OFFENSE
WR 0 Tyrone Wilson Jr., 6-3, 190
TE 80 Devin Schelske Sr., 6-0, 225
LT 70 Andrew Hahn Sr., 6-6, 290
LG 76 Kevin Grundhoffer Sr., 5-11, 285
C 62 Michael Harris Sr., 6-0, 315
RG 75 Vincent Gladbach Sr., 6-4, 308
RT 55 Lucas Myhre So., 6-4, 275
WR 13 Tyrique Givance Sr., 6-2, 180
HB 1 CJ Richie So., 6-2, 205
QB 3 Marcus Freeman Jr., 6-1, 195
RB 25 Will Smith So., 6-2, 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 16 Blake Simonson Jr., 5-11, 175
S 29 Cage Linton Sr., 5-11, 200
S 11 Noah Arneson Jr., 6-0, 195
CB 9 Westin Hoyt Fr., 6-1, 190
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
2 Nolan Dumonceaux Fr., 6-0, 180
H 18 Spencer Ell Sr., 5-11, 185
KR 1 Marselio Mendez Sr., 5-9, 165
5 Joey Moberg Sr., 5-10, 200
PR 1 Marselio Mendez Sr., 5-9, 165
Augsburg Specialists
K 91 Nathan Wangensteen Jr., 5-11, 195
P 91 Nathan Wangensteen Jr., 5-11, 195
LS 88 Dominic Jackson So., 5-11, 180
H 16 Ryan Harvey Jr., 6-4, 220
KR 13 Tyrique Givance Sr., 6-2, 180 1 CJ Richie So., 6-2, 205
PR 1 CJ Richie So., 6-2, 205 0 Tyrone Wilson Jr., 6-3, 190
Golf at MIAC Championship
Sunday, Oct. 6
Golf at MIAC Championship
Monday, Oct. 7
Golf at MIAC Championship
Friday, Oct. 11
Soccer vs. Gustavus Adolphus
Saturday, Oct. 12
Football at Concordia-Moorhead
Sunday, Oct. 13
Golf at Golfweek Classic
Monday, Oct. 14
Golf at Golfweek Classic
Tuesday, Oct. 15
Golf at Golfweek Classic
Soccer at Concordia-Moorhead
Friday, Oct. 18
Swimming & Diving at Minn.-Morris
Saturday, Oct. 19
Cross Country at Augustana (Ill.) Football at Carleton Hockey vs. UW-Stout (Exhib.)
Soccer vs. Bethel
Swimming & Diving vs. Minn.-Morris
