Nov. 16 vs. Bethel
MIAC Championship
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GAME PREVIEW
Today’s Matchup: Saint John’s outgained St. Olaf 607-180 and senior quarterback Aaron Syverson became the all-time leading passer in program and MIAC history in a 55-6 win last Saturday (Nov. 9) in Collegeville. Syverson finished 25 of 28 passing for 438 yards and six touchdowns in the victory. Senior Marselio Mendez and junior Dylan Wheeler each finished with three touchdown catches. Mendez finished with nine catches for 180 yards –including scoring grabs of 5, 51 and 4 yards. Wheeler added seven catches for 158 yards – including touchdown receptions of 21, 10 and 65 yards. Senior linebacker Cooper Yaggie led the defense with eight tackles and returned an interception 50 yards for a touchdown on the opening possession of the second half.
Bethel, meanwhile, posted a 446-243 advantage in yards of total offense and safety Matt Jung returned two interceptions for touchdowns in a 49-16 win at Concordia. Quarterback Cooper Drews passed for 372 yards and three touchdowns and his favorite target wideout Joey Kidder caught 10 passes for 153 yards. Micah Niewald added six receptions for 132 yards and a
touchdown.
Series History: Today’s game is the 48th meeting between Saint John’s and Bethel going back to 1978. The Johnnies are 37-10 all-time against the Royals, including a 21-3 record here in Collegeville. SJU won the first 20 meetings in the series before BU won nine of the next 15 from 1999 to 2013. The Royals’ 28-24 home win over SJU on Sept. 24, 2022, snapped the Johnnies’ eight-game win streak in the series. The Johnnies defeated Bethel in the MIAC’s first two championship games in 2021 (29-28 in Arden Hills) and 2022 (28-10 in Collegeville).
More Records for Syverson: Syverson is now the MIAC’s all-time leading passer, both overall (11,646) and in conference play (8,876), and also holds the league record for 300-yard passing games (15), passing touchdowns (104), multipassing-touchdown games (26) and pass attempts (952) in conference play. He is currently tied with Augsburg’s Jordan Berg (2006-08)
for the most 400-yard passing games in conference play with five and is second in MIAC history (conference games only) in passing touchdowns (134) and pass completions (660). In SJU’s record book, Syverson is also the program leader in pass completions (887) and 300-yard passing games (17). He takes the field today second in SJU history in pass attempts (1,289), passing touchdowns (134) and total offense (11,793), and third in wins as a starting quarterback (34-4 record).
A Pair With 3 TD’s: Mendez and Wheeler became the first Johnnie duo in program history to catch three touchdown passes each in a single game. Wheeler has 66 receptions for 950 yards and 16 touchdowns so far this fall. The 16 touchdowns tie him with Nate Kirschner ’01 for fourth-most in an SJU season. Last Saturday’s performance also moved Wheeler into a number of career lists. He is tied with Ravi Alston ’21 and Todd Fultz ’91 for fourth in program history with nine 100-yard receiving games, is tied with Will Gillach ’19 and Lee Clintsman ’05 for eighth in receiving touchdowns (26), and is 15th in receiving yards (1,793).
Johnnies
AROUND THE
2024 MIAC Standings
Wartburg College
Knights
Head Coach: Chris Winter
2024 Record: 8-1 2024 ARC Record: 7-0
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) W, 70-21
Oct. 19 Simpson (Iowa) W, 46-21
Oct. 26 at Coe (Iowa) W, 14-7
Nov. 2 Luther (Iowa) W, 49-10
Nov. 9 at Dubuque (Iowa) W, 24-14
Nov. 16 Loras (Iowa) 1 p.m.
Carleton College
Knights
Head Coach: Tom Journell 2024 Record: 4-5 2024 MIAC Record: 3-4
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 L, 6-31
Oct. 12 at St. Olaf L, 13-19
Oct. 19 Saint John’s L, 7-48
Oct. 26 at St. Scholastica W, 35-14
Nov. 2 at Bethel L, 7-56
Nov. 9 Gustavus W, 51-17
Nov. 16 Hamline (MIAC) 12 p.m.
Bethel University
Royals
Head Coach: Mike McElroy
2024 Record: 8-1
2024 MIAC Record: 6-1
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 W, 43-0
Oct. 12 Macalester W, 59-0
Oct. 19 Augsburg W, 73-8
Oct. 26 at Hamline W, 70-0
Nov. 2 Carleton W, 56-7
Nov. 9 at Concordia W, 49-16
Nov. 16 at Saint John’s (MIAC) 12 p.m.
Gustavus Adolphus College Gusties
Head Coach: Peter Haugen
2024 Record: 5-4
2024 MIAC Record: 4-3
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 L, 0-43
Oct. 12 St. Scholastica W, 51-13
Oct. 19 at Macalester W, 36-7
Oct. 26 at Saint John’s L, 0-34
Nov. 2 St. Olaf W, 21-10
Nov. 9 at Carleton L, 17-51
Nov. 16 Concordia (MIAC) 12 p.m.
Augsburg University
Auggies
Head Coach: Derrin Lamker
2024 Record: 4-5
2024 MIAC Record: 3-4
Sept. 6 Valley City State (N.D.) L, 14-24
Sept. 21 at Martin Luther W, 34-7
Sept. 28 Gustavus L, 0-28
Oct. 5 at Saint John’s L, 20-45
Oct. 12 Hamline W, 37-27
Oct. 19 at Bethel L, 8-73
Oct. 26 St. Olaf W, 35-34 OT
Nov. 2 at Concordia L, 7-38
Nov. 9 Macalester W, 33-3
Nov. 16 at St. Olaf (MIAC) 12 p.m.
College of St. Scholastica Saints
Head Coach: Mike Heffernan
2024 Record: 3-6
2024 MIAC Record: 2-5
Sept. 14 Rockford (Ill.) L, 24-31
Sept. 21 at Crown W, 35-15
Sept. 28 at Concordia L, 0-35
Oct. 5 Macalester W, 30-28
Oct. 12 at Gustavus L, 13-51
Oct. 19 at St. Olaf L, 33-36
Oct. 26 Carleton L, 14-35
Nov. 2 Saint John’s L, 0-70
Nov. 9 at Hamline W, 42-28
Nov. 16 Macalester (MIAC) 12 p.m.
Oct. 19 St. Scholastica W, 36-33
Oct. 26 at Augsburg L, 34-35 OT
Nov. 2 at Gustavus L, 10-21
Nov. 9 at Saint John’s L, 6-55
Nov. 16 Augsburg (MIAC) 12 p.m.
Sports coverage to yo u . J o h n n i e s
ANDY RENNECKE Sports Editor
SENIOR SPOTLIGHT
Cooper Yaggie
6-0, 210, linebacker, Breckenridge High School
What is your best memory of your time here — on or off the field?
Spending the summer in St. Joe with my teammates.
What are some of your hobbies?
Golfing, going to the lake, watching sports with buddies and helping out on the family farm.
Who is someone you really admire and why?
My dad and grandpa have always been men I’ve been able to look up to. They’re both great role models in everything they do and are men who always put others ahead of themselves.
A.J. Loch
6-1, 190, wide receiver, Stevenson (Illinois) High School
What is your best memory of your time here — on or off the field?
Either everyone storming the field after the (39-33 win over) Aurora in 2021 (in the) first game back (after the pandemic), or beating Trinity (34-31) in overtime (last season) and having everyone storm the field again.
What is your favorite spot on campus and why?
Probably the Frolf (frisbee golf) Course. My buddies and I go out there on the weekends, and get to have some fun with beautiful views.
What is something most people wouldn’t know about you?
I can name every WNBA team, along with three players (on each).
Aaron Syverson
6-0, 195, quarterback, Minnetonka High School
What is your funniest memory from football at SJU?
Halloween practice in 2022 when I was Buddy the Elf throwing passes to the Cookie Monster (Jimmy Buck) and Black Panther (Alex Larson).
What is something most people wouldn’t know about you?
I’m a huge fan of Dua Lipa.
Who is someone you really admire and why?
My mom, because she is the toughest and most resilient person I know! She is a 23-year brain tumor survivor, and has been the best mom my two siblings and I could have asked for!
Marselio Mendez
5-9, 165, wide receiver, CretinDerham Hall High School
What made you decide to come to Saint John’s?
The atmosphere as well as the community. Coming out of (junior college at North Dakota State College of Science), I was looking for a home and Saint John’s stuck out to me.
What is your favorite spot on campus and why?
I’m at Sexton (Commons) a lot because you’re able to eat there and can just chill as well.
Who is someone you really admire and why?
My mother because she works so hard behind the scenes and has done so much for me.
By Frank Rajkowski
SJU defensive line standout also making an impact (literally) offensively
Zach Frank had already established himself as a force on the defensive line.
The 6-foot-3, 270-pound defensive tackle was an All-MIAC and all-region selection a year ago when he recorded 32 tackles, including a teambest nine for a loss, and tied for the team lead with 5.5 sacks.
But this summer, he lobbied Johnnies quarterbacks coach Graydon Kulick for a shot at making an impact on the offensive side of the ball.
“Every year since I’ve been here, our offense has picked somebody who’s big and can move a little to help out in the backfield in short-yardage or goal line situations,” said Frank, a Centennial High School graduate. “I think two years ago, it was Woz (All-American defensive lineman Michael Wozniak), then last year it was (linebacker Erik) Bjork. But it’s always been at the end of the season, so it never really had the chance to develop.
“I was thinking about that when I talked to Graydon this summer. I was halfserious, but I asked him if I could be part of an offensive package. He was
full-serious in his response, and during camp, they told me to give it a try. It took off from there.”
Indeed, Frank has gotten a few offensive snaps in every game this season, using his size and speed as a blocker.
“I played tight end in high school, then we had some injuries, and I moved to offensive tackle for the last half of my senior season,” he said. “So I have experience blocking. I love it.”
So far, Frank has yet to carry the ball. Which means he hasn’t even begun to contemplate what his reaction might be if he found himself in the end zone.
“I haven’t scored a touchdown since I was in eighth grade,” he said with a laugh. “I know I’d be pretty excited. That would be a wild feeling.”
In the meantime, Frank remains focused on his regular role on the defensive line. Coming into play today, he has 24 tackles, including 10.5 for a loss, and a team-best eight sacks for a defense that is allowing an MIAC-best average of just 10.8 points per game.
“We brought back our entire defensive line and almost all of our linebackers from last season,” he said. “We all know each other, and we trust that each of us are going to do our job.”
Frank tore a meniscus in the third game of the season at Bethel as a sophomore in 2022 and spent the rest of the year looking on from the sideline. That experience taught him to savor every moment he has the chance to be on the football field.
“I realize now it can all disappear in an instant,” said Frank, an accounting major who plans to return next season on a medical redshirt.
Frank – who has already accepted a position with accounting firm Deloitte beginning in January of 2026 – is also part of a Bible study group on campus and is among those working to get a volunteer club off the ground.
“It’s a way to make a difference in the community around us,” he said. “I know I’ve been blessed with a lot in life, and there are other people around me who haven’t been as fortunate. So it’s important to try to help out and lend a hand in any way I can.”
JOE AKOH
Defensive Lineman
Joe Akoh knows his final snap in a Saint John’s University football uniform is coming.
For Mateo Cisneros, it may have come already.
But no matter when the curtain closes, both fifth-year seniors have already left their stamps on the Johnnie defensive huddle.
“When you get to this time of the year, it does really hit you that your days are numbered,” said Akoh, a 6-foot4, 240-pound defensive end, who is now in his third season as a starter
and earned All-MIAC first-team honors after recording 30 tackles, including eight for a loss, and 5.5 sacks a year ago.
“I’m just trying to cherish the moments I have left with these guys. A lot of us have played together so long, it’s like a brotherhood.”
Which makes it hard to see a fellow member of that group sidelined by injury. But that’s what happened to Cisneros in the Johnnies’ 48-7 win at Carleton on Oct. 19. The 5-foot-11, 195-pound Mounds View High School graduate suffered a torn pectoral muscle while making a tackle and underwent surgery in early November. He is hoping he might be able to return if SJU was to advance deep into the postseason, but even if that doesn’t happen, he said he’s grateful for the memories he’s made during his time as a Johnnie.
“I’m just trying to cherish the moments I have left with these guys. A lot of us have played together so long, it’s like a brotherhood.”
football here and build friendships with my teammates.”
Cisneros – a three-time Academic All-MIAC selection who is majoring in biology and plans to go on to physician assistant school – said those teammates have supported him following the injury.
“A lot of the guys have reached out saying their bummed this happened,” he said. “It’s nice to know they’re in my corner. That helps a lot.”
“It’s tough,” said Cisneros, who has played a big role for the Johnnies in all four seasons he has had the chance to play games (SJU did not play a schedule in 2020 due to COVID-19).
Akoh said losing Cisneros hurts, but the rest of the defense has tried to step up in his absence.
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“It’s always tough to see a guy like that go down,” Akoh said. “He and I are both fifth-year seniors, so we’ve
Akoh has also had the chance to play alongside his younger brother the past four seasons. Etah Akoh is a fellow defensive lineman and a four-year senior who will graduate this May.
“That’s been really fun,” said Akoh, a global business leadership major who is looking at accounting field. “My brother
together since back in our high school days (at CretinDerham Hall), and it’s crazy to think both our careers are winding down now. It’s going to be weird next fall
MATEO CISNEROS
Defensive Back
That’s a sentiment Cisneros shares.
“It’s kind of surreal to think we’re at this point,” he said. “It sounds cliché, but it really does all go by so quickly. You have to enjoy every play in every practice and every game because it will be over before you know it.”
“It’s kind of surreal to think we’re at this point. It sounds cliché, but it really does all go by so quickly. You have to enjoy every play in every practice and every game because it will be over before you know it.”
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 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
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 Jawahn Cockfield Fr. DL 6-0 240 St. Paul, Minn./Stillwater Area
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
BETHEL ROSTER
Name
0 PrinceWarren Kinney So. RB 5-8 175 Chicago, Ill./Brooklyn Center
1 David Geebli Jr. RB 5-8 195 Coon Rapids, Minn./Coon Rapids
2 Joey Kidder Sr. WR 6-3 220 New Richmond, Wis./New Richmond
3 Collin Asplin Jr. DB 5-11 190 Dassel, Minn./Dassel-Cokato
3 Alex Weiss So. WR 6-0 190 Becker, Minn./Becker
4 Ryan Bengtson So. QB 5-11 160 Becker, Minn./Becker
5 Dylan Nance So. LB 5-10 205 Wilsonville, Ore./Wilsonville
5 Albert Rundell So. QB 6-1 205 Watertown, Minn./Watertown-Mayer
6 Teagan Viebrock Fr. WR 6-3 188 Osceola, Wis./Osceola
6 Nick Colyer Fr. DB 6-2 181 Wilsonville, Ore./Wilsonville
7 Tyler Terry So. WR 5-10 180 Blaine, Minn./Blaine
8 Matt Jung So. DB 6-3 215 Neenah, Wis./Neenah
8 Jadon Hanzal So. QB 6-1 200 Chandler, Ariz./Valley Christian
9 Devin Williams Jr. DB 6-1 210 Fridley, Minn./Fridley
9 Cooper Drews So. QB 6-5 215 Princeton, Minn./Princeton
10 Isaac Call Sr. DB 6-3 205 Kerkhoven, Minn./K-M-S
10 Riley Gritz Jr. RB 5-11 200 Long Prairie, Minn./Sauk Centre
11 Taylor Glynn Jr. LB 6-1 225 Grand Meadow, Minn./Grand Meadow
12 Evan Schimming Jr. WR 6-4 200 Princeton, Minn./Princeton
13 Will Eliason Sr. WR 6-0 185 Ann Arbor, Mich./Skyline
14 Trevor Jones Jr. DB 5-11 190 Zimmerman, Minn./Zimmerman
15 Micah Niewald Sr. WR 5-10 180 Fridley, Minn./Fridley
16 Hunter Pratt Sr. DL 6-2 225 Cocoa, Fla./Space Coast
17 Isaac Vincent Jr. WR 6-2 205 St. Francis, Minn./St. Francis
18 Austin Auld Sr. WR 6-0 190 Rogers, Minn./Rogers
19 Tyler Drury So. DB 6-0 185 Lindstrom, Minn./Chisago Lakes
20 Romero Trevino Fr. RB 5-10 210 Willmar, Minn./Willmar
21 Nate Farm Gr. DB 6-1 210 Arden Hills, Minn./Mounds View
22 Gavin Rataj Sr. DB 6-2 190 Northfield, Minn./Northfield
23 Eric Fouquette Sr. DB 5-10 210 Albertville, Minn./St. Michael-Albertville
24 Will Barthel Fr. DB 6-0 175 St. Michael, Minn./St. Michael-Albertville
25 Eli McKown Jr. DB 5-10 190 Independence, Minn./Orono
26 Aaron Ellingson Gr. RB 6-1 220 St. Louis Park, Minn./St. Louis Park
28 Jake Borman So. DB 6-1 205 Apple Valley, Minn./St. Thomas Acad.
32 Jackson Braun So. DB 6-1 200 Blaine, Minn./Blaine
33 Hugo Cifuentes Gr. K 5-10 190 Marshall, Minn./Marshall
34 Kolin Baier Sr. DL 6-0 240 Mankato, Minn./East
35 Thomas Rush Jr. LB 6-0 210 Princeton, Minn./Princeton
36 Eli Nowacki So. K 6-0 190 Blaine, Minn./Centennial
40 Marcus Whiting Fr. DL 6-0 230 Hugo, Minn./Centennial
41 Eli Scheideman So. LS 6-2 200 Becker, Minn./Becker
42 Colin Heckman Sr. LB 6-1 220 Menomonee Falls, Wis./Menomonee Falls
43 Abdallah Abed So. DL 5-11 240 Roseville, Minn./Mounds View
44 Jacob Holmen Sr. LB 6-3 235 Spicer, Minn./New London-Spicer
45 Caden DeWall Sr. LB 6-1 225 Becker, Minn./Becker
46 Carter Johnson Sr. LB 5-11 210 Redwood Falls, Minn./Redwood Valley
47 Phil Conant So. LB 6-1 225 St. Francis, Minn./St. Francis
49 Edward Tabla So. LB 6-0 190 Coon Rapids, Minn./Coon Rapids
57 Blake Scheierl Fr. OL 6-2 275 Blaine, Minn./Centennial
58 Roman Janes So. OL 6-3 305 Arden Hills, Minn./Mounds View
62 Juan Orozco Sanchez Jr. OL 6-0 280 St. Paul, Minn./Park
63 Josh Helling Sr. OL 6-6 315 Parkers Prairie, Minn./Parkers Prairie
64 Caden DeJong Jr. OL 6-3 295 Rochester, Minn./Mayo
66 Isaiah Ward Jr. OL 6-2 275 Centerville, Minn./Centennial
72 Jaakob Fyle Sr. OL 6-3 295 Bessemer, Mich./A.D. Johnston
73 Jaegar Ash So. OL 6-0 265 Milaca, Minn./Milaca
74 Diego Dillet Fr. OL 6-3 255 Jersey City, N.J./Rogers
77 Tristen Cantu So. OL 6-1 290 San Antonio, Texas/Warren
79 David Munyakazi So. OL 6-1 265 Central City, Iowa/Central City
82 Christian Platek So. TE 6-3 240 Maple Grove, Minn./Maple Grove
83 Joe Kujawa Sr. TE 6-4 230 North St. Paul, Minn./North St. Paul
84 Ethan Sailer Sr. TE 6-5 270 Rochester, Minn./Lourdes
85 Jonathan Ritz Fr. TE 6-2 240 Willmar, Minn./Willmar
92 Noah Richards Sr. DL 6-2 270 Edina, Minn./Edina
94 Merrick Stacy Gr. DL 6-1 260 Fairbanks, Alaska/West Valley
95 Reese Pantila Sr. DL 6-2 280 Woodbury, Minn./East Ridge
96 Will Jessup Jr. DL 6-1 260 Lincoln, Neb./Southwest
Head Coach: Mike McElroy (First season)
Assistant Coaches: Colin Duling, Kyle Kilgore, Tavian Swanson, Mathias Durie, Brady Bomsta, Brooks Byrd, Tyler Krebs, Matt Houston, Travis Sinclair, Jaran Roste, Tim Carlson, Eric Tulberg
MIAC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME HISTORY
The MIAC Championship Game is still a new phenomenon, with just a short history under its belt.
It came about with the move to divisional play in the conference during the 2021 season, pitting the first-place finishers in the Northwoods and Skyline Divisions against each other the final week of the regular season with the conference’s automatic bid to the NCAA Division III playoffs on the line (prior to 2021, the automatic bid went to the team that finished first in the regular-season conference standings).
Meanwhile, the second, third, fourth and fifth-place finishers in each division also meet each other that week.
This year marks the final season of the league’s divisional structure. Beginning in 2025 and into 2026, MIAC teams will play an eight-game conference schedule featuring seven regularly scheduled in-conference contests.
But championship week will continue. After the seventh conference game, teams will be seeded 1-10 based
on their position in the standings. The top two teams (based on inconference record) will meet in the MIAC Championship Game on the home field of the top seed.
That, though, is the future. Here now is a look at how the first three conference title games have been decided:
2021: St. John’s 29, Bethel 28
The first MIAC Championship Game was an instant classic, won when SJU senior quarterback Chris Backes connected with tight end Alex Larson on a 3-yard touchdown pass on fourth-and-goal with one second left on the clock and an early-season snow falling at Royal Stadium in Arden Hills.
The touchdown, and the extra point by then-freshman Conor Murphy, lifted the Johnnies to victory in a game in which they trailed by 14 early and 21-8 at the half. Not only that, but the Johnnies turned the ball over on downs twice in the fourth quarter with Bethel leading by six points –
once at the Royals’ 6 with just under six minutes to go, then again at their own 34 with 2:59 remaining.
Backes playing in place of an injured Aaron Syverson threw for 151 yards and a touchdown while rushing for 103 yards and another score. Royals quarterback Jaran Roste threw for 252 yards and three touchdowns.
2022: St. John’s 28, Bethel 10
The two teams met again to decide the title the following season, and this time, it was the SJU defense that led the way. The Johnnies picked off five Bethel passes en route to a win before a crowd of 7,562 at a cold and blustery Clemens Stadium.
Senior Cayden Saxon had a pair of those interceptions. Then-sophomore linebacker Cooper Yaggie added two of his own, including perhaps the game’s biggest play – a 61-yard interception return for a touchdown with 3:33 remaining in the first half. Syverson threw for 323 yards and two touchdowns. Bethel’s Micah Niewald had nine catches for 130 yards and one score.
2023: Bethel 31, Gustavus 7
Then-junior Aaron Ellingson rushed for 224 yards and three touchdowns and the Bethel defense recorded four interceptions to roll past Gustavus at Royal Stadium.
The Royals piled up 386 yards of total offense and led 17-0 after the first quarter. From there, things remained scoreless until early in the fourth when a 29-yard touchdown pass from George Sandven to Jordan Wold cut the gap to 17-7.
But Bethel pulled away down the stretch.
Alex Larson in 2021
PROUD
SPONSOR AND CONTRACTOR FOR JOHNNIE
ATHLETICS
Ken Schoener shined in first season after World War II
The 1945 college football season certainly didn’t go the way Saint John’s University fans were hoping for.
With World War II at an end, the Johnnies were playing their first full schedule since 1942. But head coach Joe Benda and his team managed only one victory a 34-13 win at Macalester en route to a 1-6 finish.
Still, there were bright spots. Notably the play of end Ken Schoener.
The St. Cloud Cathedral graduate, who served as the Crusaders’ team captain as a senior in 1941, played part of the 1942 season at SJU. But, as it did for so many in those years, military service interrupted his college career.
He served as a pilot in the U.S. Navy during the war, and did not return to Collegeville until the fall of 1945. He joined the Johnnies midway through the season, by which time SJU had already played three games.
But he made an immediate impact, scoring his team’s only points on a 3-yard touchdown catch in a 21-6 Homecoming loss to St. Olaf, then
seeing action at multiple positions in a season-closing 25-7 nonconference loss to Loras (Iowa) in Dubuque.
“His play was spectacular since the day he joined the club,” The Record wrote that season. “He had received his commission in the Navy Air Corps as an Ensign, then was given an honorable discharge. He made his first appearance in the Macalester game after only a few days practice, and from that day, he was in.
“Along with his duties as end, Ken also did the punting and added a few brilliant runs from that formation.”
His performance earned him a spot on that season’s All-MIAC squad, then honorable mention distinction on the 1945 Associated Press Little All-America team.
“You will note in today’s paper that Ken Schoener of St. Cloud has earned honorable mention as a
candidate for the 1945 ‘Little AllAmerica’ team of the Associated Press,” wrote St. Cloud Times sportswriter Frank Farrington in his ‘Fanning Mill’ column on Dec. 13, 1945.
“This really is remarkable, not only because the team is selected from college players over the entire nation, but because Ken participated in only four games after only the briefest practice, and St. John’s as a team won but one contest.”
That season marked the end of his collegiate football career. Schoener who also played tennis for the Johnnies graduated in 1945 and went on to work for the state highway department.
He later did volunteer work at St. Cloud Apollo High School and was a member of American Legion Post 76 in St. Cloud before his death at age 53 in September 1978.
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 or 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
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
Sharing the Saint John’s experience with the next generation.
That’s what Student Fund scholarship gifts help make possible. And there’s no better time to show your support for current and future Johnnies then on Give SJU Day.
The annual 24-hour drive which serves as the hallmark fundraising event for Student Fund scholarships will be held on Nov. 20. This year’s goal is to have 1,300 donors in a single day, all for Student Fund scholarships.
“Give SJU Day is an incredible opportunity for Saint John’s alumni, parents and friends to show their love for Saint John’s and support today’s Johnnies in a significant way,” said Ted Kain, the director of annual giving at SJU.
“Student scholarships are critical to Saint John’s competitiveness in the marketplace. Every gift counts toward helping our young men flourish at Saint John’s.”
That fund provides direct financial support to Saint John’s students all of whom receive some form of scholarships or financial aid. Donors can engage in a variety of ways:
• Alumni can position their gifts as class matches to inspire their classmates to give what they can.
• Record a personal video to share why you support Johnnies on Give SJU Day.
• Using social sharing buttons (Facebook, X, Linkedin) to generate gifts from Saint John’s alumni, parents and friends.
set up their match to inspire others to give as well.
For more information on establishing a match or on Give SJU Day in general, visit sjualum.com/GiveSJU, or contact Ted Kain ’12 at tkain@csbsju.edu.
Saint John’s and Bethel who meet today for the third time in the four-year history of the MIAC Championship Game have played many memorable matchups over the years.
That includes several key milestones in legendary former Johnnie head coach John Gagliardi’s recordbreaking career.
Gagliardi picked up his 200th win when his team beat the Royals 42-10 in 1980 in Collegeville, then won his 300th with a 77-12 win over the Royals in Arden Hills in 1993.
And, of course, it was a thrilling 2926 win over Bethel before a crowd of 13,107 at Clemens Stadium in 1993 that marked Gagliardi’s 409th career victory moving him past iconic former Grambling coach Eddie Robinson to become the winningest coach in college football history.
In the 2009 meeting between the two teams, SJU senior kicker Russel Gliadon booted what was at the time a school record 49-yard field goal with three seconds remaining to lift the Johnnies past the Royals 16-14 in front of a Homecoming crowd of 10,567 (many of whom stormed the field afterward) at Clemens Stadium.
FEATURED FLASHBACK
That win snapped a three-season losing streak to the Royals.
SJU picked up another memorable victory in the first MIAC title game played on Nov. 13, 2021, in Arden Hills. In that game, played amidst an early snowfall, tight end Alex Larson hauled in a 3-yard pass from Chris Backes on fourth-and-goal with one second left on the clock to lift the Johnnies past the Royals 29-28.
But the very first meeting between the two teams had plenty of drama as well.
The Johnnies entered that game played on Sept. 30, 1978, in Arden Hills unbeaten in MIAC play since 1974. Bethel, meanwhile, was in its first season as a conference member.
But the Royals took a 14-13 halftime lead, then jumped on top 17-13 on a 22-yard field goal by Paul Lindberg with 6:16 to play. Bethel cornerback Greg Peterson then picked off a pass at the goal line with SJU threatening and 2:34 to go.
But the Johnnies got the ball one last time at midfield with 1:40 left on the clock and quarterback John Welsh went to work. A forward lateral from Welsh to Pete Rockers to tight end
John Hanowski moved the ball to the Royals’ 21, then a pass to Mike Grant set SJU up at the 8.
Two incompletions followed, bringing up third down. Welsh dropped back to pass, and seeing no one open, took off crossing the goal line with under a minute remaining.
“I could see the goal line,” he told the Minneapolis Tribune afterward.
“Bethel Coach Chub Reynolds was almost too choked up to talk after the narrow defeat for the superb effort displayed by his squad,” the Tribune story stated.
As for Gagliardi, the SJU coach was just relieved to have escaped with a win.
“We were due for a letdown, and we sure had it today,” he told the Tribune “We made too many mistakes and Bethel played well.”
Unfortunately, the close call was a sign of things to come for Gagliardi’s team, which started that season 5-0 before losing three of its last four to finish 6-3 and see its two-season streak of NCAA Division III playoff appearances come to an end.
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
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 78 Michael Bougie So., 6-5, 300
LG 50 Nick McKenzie Sr., 6-1, 280
C 72 Charlie Folkens Sr., 6-3, 290
RG 77 Mikey Oftedahl Fr., 6-2, 295
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 33 Will Blakey So., 6-0, 200
BETHEL DEFENSE
DE 16 Hunter Pratt Sr., 6-2, 225
DT 95 Reese Pantilla Sr., 6-2, 280
DT 92 Noah Richards Sr., 6-2, 270
DE 45 Caden DeWall Sr., 6-1, 225
LB 46 Carter Johnson Sr., 5-11, 210
LB 44 Jacob Holmen Sr., 6-3, 235
LB 10 Isaac Call Sr., 6-3, 205
CB 9 Devin Williams Jr., 6-1, 210
SS 8 Matt Jung So., 6-3, 215
FS 21 Nate Farm Gr., 6-1, 210
CB 22 Gavin Rataj Sr., 6-2, 190
When Bethel Has The Ball
BETHEL OFFENSE
WR 2 Joey Kidder Gr., 6-3, 220
TE 83 Joe Kujawa Sr., 6-4, 230
LT 63 Josh Helling Gr., 6-6, 315
LG 66 Isaiah Ward Jr., 6-2, 275
C 73 Jaeger Ash So., 6-0, 265
RG 62 Juan Orozco Sanchez Jr., 6-0, 280
RT 58 Roman Janes So., 6-3, 305
WR 15 Micah Niewald Sr., 5-10, 180
WR 13 Will Eliason Sr., 6-0, 185
QB 9 Cooper Drews So., 6-5, 215
RB 26 Aaron Ellingson Gr., 6-1, 220
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 33 Jack St. Fleur Jr., 6-0, 210
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
SS 2 Nolan Dumonceaux Fr., 6-0, 180
H 18 Spencer Ell Sr., 5-11, 185
KR 1 Marselio Mendez Sr., 5-9, 165
30 Corey Bohmert So., 5-10, 175
PR 1 Marselio Mendez Sr., 5-9, 165
Bethel Specialists
K 38 Hugo Cifuentes Gr., 5-10, 190 36 Eli Nowacki So., 6-0, 190
P 13 Will Eliason Sr., 6-0, 185
LS 41 Eli Scheideman
Saturday, Nov. 16
Basketball at Simpson (Iowa) Cross Country at NCAA Regional Hockey vs. UW-Stout
Friday, Nov. 22
Basketball vs. Hope (Mich.) at Calvin Hockey vs. St. Olaf
Saturday, Nov. 23
Basketball at Calvin (Mich.)
Cross Country at NCAA Championship Hockey at St. Olaf
Swimming/Diving at Gustavus Invite Wrestling at UW-Eau Claire
Wednesday, Nov. 27
Basketball vs. UW-La Crosse
Wednesday, Dec. 4
Basketball vs. St. Olaf
Thursday, Dec. 5
Hockey vs. Bethel
Swimming/Diving at Rochester Invite
Friday, Dec. 6
Hockey at Bethel
Swimming/Diving at Rochester Invite
Saturday, Dec. 7
Basketball vs. Carleton
Swimming/Diving at Rochester Invite Wrestling at MSU-Moorhead Open
As masters of commercial HVAC, roofing and architectural exteriors, we’ve been building trusted partnerships for over 75 years, including our partners at SJU. From quality installation to exceptional service and support, we’ll help you protect and prolong the life of your investments.
