2022 SJU Football Week 5

GAMEDAY PREVIEW

Today’s Matchup: Saint John’s outgained St. Scholastica by a 473-263 margin and seven different Johnnies scored a touchdown in a 56-6 win last Saturday (Oct. 29) in Duluth. Seventy of CSS’ 263 yards came on the Saints’ lone touchdown – a 70-yard touchdown catch-and-run in the fourth quarter that cut the Johnnies’ lead to 42-6. SJU began four drives inside the Saints’ 40-yard line in the first two quarters of play. The Johnnies’ average starting-field position on the afternoon, across 12 possessions, was their own 47yard line. Senior wide receiver Nick VanErp led the way with six catches for 105 yards, including touchdown grabs of 6 and 25 yards in the first half. Defensively, senior linebacker Erik Bjork collected 11 tackles, including three for a loss. Carleton allowed 228 rushing yards in a 28-9 road loss last Saturday at Gustavus Adolphus. The Gusties held Carleton quarterback Jonathan Singleton under a .500 completion percentage (20 of 41) and intercepted three of his passes, including one by Ezekiel Sundberg that he returned 45 yards for a touchdown with 13 seconds remaining in regulation. Linebacker Isaac Simons registered 15 tackles (nine solo), including three for a loss, and a fumble recovery (GAC’s lone turnover of the game).

Series History: Today’s game is the 39th meeting between SJU and Carleton. The Johnnies have won each of the previous 38 matchups, including an 18-0 record here in Collegeville. SJU has outscored the Knights 1,642-339 (43.2-8.9 avg.) in the series, including a 358-23 advantage and four shutouts in the last seven meetings.

Big Plays vs. Carleton: SJU has totaled 66 offensive plays of 20 yards or more in the last 11 meetings with Carleton, including 25 of 35 yards or more.

Delightful Duluth: Last Saturday’s road trip to Duluth was the Johnnies’ first since defensive coordinator Jerry Haugen’s ’76 senior year on Oct. 11, 1975. SJU pulled off a 13-10 win over then-MIAC foe Minnesota-Duluth that night - it was a 7:30 p.m., Saturday-night kickoff - thanks to a 71-yard touchdown pass from Jeff Norman ‘78 to Todd Watson ‘76 with 6:43 remaining in the game. SJU posted a 19-11 record against the Bulldogs from 1936-83, including a 9-6 record in Duluth.

10th on Two Lists: Junior quarterback Aaron Syverson threw for 140 yards and two touchdowns and added a 4-yard touchdown run before making an early exit in the second quarter last weekend at St. Scholastica. The 140 passing yards enabled him to slide above Ross Denne ‘03 into 10th on SJU’s all-time passing list with 4,023 career yards. He is also tied with Joe Boyle ‘11 for 10th with 41 career passing touchdowns.

Another Perfect October: Saint John’s is now a perfect 35-0 during the month of October under the direction of head coach Gary Fasching. SJU is 301-118-15 (.711) all-time in October, including a 193-61-3 record (.757) in 60 seasons under the direction of John Gagliardi. Joe Benda posted a 3219-6 record (.614) during the month across his three stints as head coach, thanks to a 18-6-6 in his first stretch from 1930-36, despite a 0-3-1 mark his first season.

Proud supporter of SJU athletics.

COACH

Gary Fasching is in his 10th season as head football coach at Saint John’s in 2022 and is a five-time (2014, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2021) MIAC Coach of the Year. He led SJU to its MIAC-record 35th conference championship and seventh consecutive appearance in the NCAA Division III playoffs in 2021.

The Johnnies ended the season with an 11-1 record and advanced to the second round of the national playoffs. A 1981 SJU graduate, Fasching (FAH-shing) became the 16th head coach in the 102-year history of Saint John’s football following the 2012 season. He replaced John Gagliardi, who announced his retirement following 60 seasons at SJU, after serving 17 seasons as an assistant football coach and recruiting coordinator at SJU.

The Johnnies posted a 164-39 record (120-22 MIAC) with 10 conference titles and 12 postseason appearances (22-11 playoff record) during his tenure as an assistant, including the 2003 national championship, a berth 2000 national championship game and four semifinal appearances.

Seventy-two Minnesota High School All-Star game participants attended Saint John’s during Fasching’s tenure as the Johnnies’ recruiting coordinator. Eleven SJU defensive linemen earned a total of 15 All-America honors during his 16 seasons as the program’s defensive line coach before switching to

linebacker duties in 2012. Fasching has also served as the McGlynn Fitness Center director on campus and coached the SJU throwers as an assistant coach with the track and field team. The Johnnies collected three All-America honors, including one national championship, and 10 conference titles under his guidance.

Prior to joining the Johnnies’ coaching staff, Fasching served as the head football coach at St. Cloud Cathedral High School from 1986-95, where he led the Crusaders to the State Class B title in 1992 and 1993. He recorded a 57-46 career record over the 10 seasons, the most wins and longest tenure in school history. The 1992 state championship team ended the regular season 4-4 only to win six consecutive games en route to the title. The momentum turned into a perfect 14-0 record on the way to the 1993 state championship and an eventual 21-game win streak.

A three-year starter for the Johnnies at linebacker (1977-78, 1980-81), Fasching graduated from SJU in 1981 with a degree in social science. He earned his master’s degree in sports management from St. Cloud State University in 2000. Fasching and his wife, Cindy, have five children, nine grandchildren and reside in St. Joseph.

University of WisconsinRiver Falls Falcons

Head Coach: Matt Walker 2022 Record: 5-3

2022 WIAC Record: 3-2

Sept. 3 at Elmhurst, Ill. W, 63-0

Sept. 10 at Saint John’s L, 34-37

Sept. 17 Northwestern, Minn. W, 63-27

Oct. 1 UW-Stevens Point W, 56-3

Oct. 8 UW-Oshkosh W, 27-24

Oct. 15 at UW-Platteville L, 14-21

Oct. 22 UW-Eau Claire W, 63-6

Oct. 29 at UW-Whitewater L, 27-30

Nov. 5 at UW-La Crosse 1 p.m.

Nov. 12 UW-Stout 1 p.m.

St. Olaf College Oles

Head Coach: James Kilian 2022 Record: 4-4 2022 MIAC Record: 3-3

Sept. 3 at Central, Iowa L, 13-44

Sept. 10 Luther, Iowa W, 55-27

Sept. 24 at Macalester W, 38-32

Oct. 1 Augsburg W, 41-36

Oct. 8 at Carleton L, 7-26

Saint John’s L, 10-49

St. Scholastica W, 33-28

Bethel L, 17-38

Adolphus

p.m.

p.m.

Bethel University Royals

Head Coach: Steve Johnson 2022 Record: 7-1 2022 MIAC Record: 6-0

Sept. 3 Pacific Lutheran, Wash. W, 41-9

Sept. 10 at UW-Platteville L, 7-10

Sept. 24 Saint John’s W, 28-24

Oct. 1 at Gustavus Adolphus W, 30-27

Oct. 8 Hamline W, 49-14 Oct. 15 Concordia W, 45-7 Oct. 22 at Macalester W, 63-13

Oct. 29 St. Olaf W, 38-17 Nov. 5 at Augsburg 1 p.m. Nov. 12 at MIAC Week 1 p.m.

Gustavus Adolphus College Gusties

Head Coach: Peter Haugen 2022 Record: 5-3 2022 MIAC Record: 4-2

Sept. 3 at Buena Vista, Iowa W, 62-20

17 UW-Stout L, 25-28

24 at Concordia W, 23-6 Oct. 1 Bethel L, 27-30 Oct. 8 St. Scholastica W, 77-7 Oct. 15 at Hamline W, 44-7 Oct. 22 at Saint John’s L, 27-41 Oct. 29 Carleton W, 28-9 Nov. 5 at St. Olaf 1 p.m. Nov. 12 MIAC Week 1 p.m.

Concordia College Cobbers

Head Coach: Terry Horan 2022 Record: 4-4 2022 MIAC Record: 2-4

Sept. 1 at Valley City State, N.D. W, 14-12 Sept. 10 at Presentation, S.D. W, 42-13 Sept. 24 Gustavus Adolphus L, 6-23 Oct. 1 at Saint John’s L, 28-35 Oct. 8 Macalester W, 36-7 Oct. 15 at Bethel L, 7-45 Oct. 22 Carleton W, 20-13 (OT) Oct. 29 at Augsburg L, 35-38 Nov. 5 Hamline 1 p.m. Nov. 12 at MIAC Week 1 p.m.

College of St. Scholastica Saints

Head Coach: Mike Heffernan 2022 Record: 2-6 2022 MIAC Record: 1-5

Sept. 3 at Sewanee, Tenn. L, 0-50 Sept. 17 at Crown W, 63-14 Sept. 24 at Augsburg L, 13-50 Oct. 1 Hamline W, 43-42 Oct. 8 at Gustavus Adolphus L, 7-77 Oct. 15 at Carleton L, 20-56 Oct. 22 St. Olaf L, 28-33 Oct. 29 Saint John’s L, 6-56 Nov. 5 at Macalester 1 p.m. Nov. 12 MIAC Week 1 p.m.

University of WisconsinWhitewater Warhawks

Head Coach: Kevin Bullis 2022 Record: 6-2

2022 WIAC Record: 4-1

Sept. 3 at Saint John’s L, 10-24

Sept. 10 Mary Hardin-Baylor, Texas W, 28-24

Sept. 17 at Berry, Ga. W, 17-3 Oct. 1 at UW-La Crosse W, 34-31 Oct. 8 at UW-Eau Claire W, 45-24 Oct. 14 UW-Oshkosh W, 17-3 Oct. 22 at UW-Platteville L, 13-17 Oct. 29 UW-River Falls W, 30-27 Nov. 5 at UW-Stout 1 p.m. Nov. 12 UW-Stevens Point 1 p.m.

Augsburg University Auggies

Head Coach: Derrin Lamker 2022 Record: 6-2 2022 MIAC Record: 4-2

Sept. 3 at Northwestern, Minn. W, 23-15

Sept. 17 at Martin Luther W, 45-7 Sept. 24 St. Scholastica W, 50-13 Oct. 1 at St. Olaf L, 36-41 Oct. 8 Saint John’s L, 0-45 Oct. 15 at Macalester W, 42-21 Oct. 22 at Hamline W, 42-21 Oct. 29 Concordia W, 38-35 Nov. 5 Bethel 1 p.m. Nov. 12 at MIAC Week 1 p.m.

Carleton College Knights

Head Coach: Tom Journell 2022 Record: 6-2 2022 MIAC Record: 4-2

Sept. 10 Crown W, 84-20 Sept. 17 Minnesota-Morris W, 41-7 Sept. 24 at Hamline W, 45-12 Oct. 1 Macalester W, 56-27 Oct. 8 St. Olaf W, 26-7 Oct. 15 St. Scholastica W, 56-20 Oct. 22 at Concordia L, 13-20 (OT) Oct. 29 at Gustavus Adolphus L, 9-28 Nov. 5 at Saint John’s 1 p.m. Nov.

1 p.m.

SAM CHALMERS BEHIND THE SCENES

If you’ve viewed some of the eye-popping pre-game videos that appear on the scoreboard at Clemens Stadium, or the energetic highlight videos posted on the Saint John’s University football team’s social media and YouTube accounts, you’ve seen Sam Chalmers in action.

The former quarterback at Albert Lea High School began working with the football program through a student employment job as a freshman at SJU and worked his way up to become the team’s director of creative media before graduating in 2020. In that role, he developed a large amount of content for the program’s social media channels - including a well-received question-of-the-week video featuring various Johnnies players tackling topics like the teammate they’d most and least trust to babysit and which SJU player would be most likely to star in a Netflix miniseries.

His work with the team continued post-graduation. Even this past August, he created a video that has played before games this season. It was narrated by former Johnnies quarterback Tom Linnemann, who flew into Minnesota just to take part.

This even as a current student worker, Peyton Reece, has taken over as the team’s full-time director of creative media.

“I began my time at SJU working with (former longtime assistant coach and current director of athletic marketing) Jim Gagliardi as a student assistant. As ‘creative media’ became more of a need within the program, I stepped up to help produce content on a weekly basis,” said Chalmers, whose father Chris ’88 and grandfather Rich ’63 both played football at the school.

“I made tons of great memories during my time at SJU! Beyond all of the exciting wins, I cherish the amazing relationships I’ve built over the years!”

Johnnies head coach Gary Fasching has credited Chalmer’s work with being tremendously beneficial when it comes to increasing the program’s visibility among a younger demographic – the same demographic the coaching staff is out recruiting.

“He started out doing the question-of-the-week, which became a big hit and it took off from there,” Fasching said. “He put together hype videos, which we had never done before, and he did highlights for us. I think that did a lot to increase our visibility, especially among high school kids because that’s the kind of thing they look at.

“He helped get more people to notice our program and what we were doing.”

Chalmers - who is currently working as a freelance cinematographer/editor - has produced so many videos for the team over the last several seasons that it’s hard to pick a favorite. But he said there is one that stands out.

“I’m proud of a lot of the content I’ve produced,” he said. “But the 2019 Johnnie/Tommie hype video was special because it was the last game ever in that rivalry.”

When you have a talent pool as deep as the Saint John’s University football team boasts on the defensive line, it’s important for players to make an impact when they get the chance.

Seniors Amari Curtis and Jonah Becken have each done just that this season.

Curtis – a 6-foot-4, 250-pound Downers Grove, Illinois native – has started the majority of the Johnnies’ games and enters today’s matchup against Carleton with 20 tackles, including 3.5 for a loss, and 2.5 sacks.

“Everybody knows we have two fifth-year guys who just get after it,” he said referring to All-MIAC standouts Michael Wozniak and Metoriah Faoliu. “Nobody can stop them.

Especially with the four-man line we play, other teams are going to slide toward Woz and Meta to try and slow them down. So I know I have to beat my one-on-one matchup and get after it.”

Becken, meanwhile, has contributed on both defense and special teams. He enters play today with 2.5 tackles-for-a-loss and a sack while also helping anchor the SJU punt unit.

“I try to do whatever the team needs,” said Becken, a 6-foot-4, 260-pound native of Hudson, Wisconsin. “If they need me to step up on special teams, I’m ready. If they ask me to contribute on defense, I go out and answer the call

Ask for

there too. I just try to make the most of any chance I have to get on the field.”

Curtis began his collegiate career at Knox College in his home state of Illinois. But his cousin Jamari Edwards, a senior defensive back for the Johnnies, was already in Collegeville.

And when Curtis decided to transfer, his cousin urged him to give SJU a look.

“He said it was great football, a great school and a great environment to be in,” Curtis recalls. “I didn’t know too much about the place before I came here. I never actually came on a visit. But I talked to Dumo (defensive line coach and recruiting coordinator Damien Dumonceaux) and some of the other coaches, and I kind of fell in love with the way they ran their program and the culture they have here.

“Since I got here, it’s been a lot of fun. It’s been even better than I expected.”

Becken originally had his sights set on going somewhere bigger, but multiple visits to SJU convinced him it was where he wanted to be.

“I came back a couple of times and just seeing the campus and getting to know more about the football program changed my mind,” he said. “It felt like this was the right fit.”

AMARI CURTIS & JONAH RECLAIM YOUR GAME

FEATURED ON THE COVER AMARI CURTIS & JONAH BECKEN

AMARI CURTIS

Johnnies head coach Gary Fasching is quick to sing the praises of both players.

“Amari came here and we thought about moving him to the offensive line,” said Fasching, who was the team’s defensive line coach under legendary former head coach John Gagliardi. “We actually did last year a little bit. But he’s wanted to play defense ever since he showed up on campus. He had a great summer and he’s been playing really well for us. When he’s gotten his opportunities this fall, he’s taken advantage of them.

“Jonah is the same way. When he’s gotten in there, we’ve gotten production out of him - both on our punt team and defense. I can’t say enough about those guys. All they do is come to practice and work hard.

“When they get asked to contribute, they go out there and get the job done.”

As a result of an NCAA ruling allowing players an extra year of eligibility because of the impact of COVID-19, both Curtis and Becken can return next fall if they choose to. Curtis, a global business leadership major who hopes to one day run his own gym, has already decided to do so.

Becken, a physics major who interned at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory

(a U.S. Department of Energy national laboratory for plasma physics and nuclear fusion science) in New Jersey this past summer, said it will depend on what happens with the graduate schools to which he is currently applying.

But both said they are grateful for their time at SJU and the people they’ve met, especially their fellow defensive lineman.

“We spend a lot of time together and we’re a pretty close-knit group,” Becken said.

“Some of my best friends here are on the defensive line. A lot of times we go out to dinner on Fridays. We have a lot of fun just hanging out.”

“I love all of these guys,” Curtis added.

“We’ve become really good friends. It’s an environment where everyone gives it their all at all times. We’re all working and trying to get better. But we’re also having a lot of fun.”

“I can’t say enough about those guys. All they do is come to practice and work hard. When they get asked to contribute, they go out there and get the job done.”

Sartell

JONAH BECKEN

Peter Boquel 1903-1904

Harry Comeau 1905-1906

Edward F. Cahill 1920-1921

Fred L. Sanborn 1922-1923

Eugene Aldrich 1924

Wilfred T. Houle 1925-1929

Joe Benda 1930-36, 41-42, 45-49

George Durenberger 1937-1940

Henry Welsch 1944

John “Blood” McNally 1950-1952

John Gagliardi 1953-2012

Gary Fasching 2013-present

0 Joey Gendreau Fr.

1 Matt Mohr Sr.

2 Takhi Vaughn Fr.

2 Dylan Wheeler Fr.

3 Zander Dittbenner Fr.

3 Hamza Malim So.

5 Henry Trost Sr.

6 Aaron Syverson Jr.

7 Nick VanErp Sr.

8 Alex Larson Sr.

9 Troy Feddema Jr.

10 Charlie Ryks Fr.

11 Jimmy Buck Jr.

12 Conor Murphy So.

6-3

6-0

5-9

6-3

6-0

5-11

5-10

6-0

5-11

6-7

5-10

6-0

6-4

5-10

Shorewood, Minn./Minnetonka

Chisago City, Minn./Chisago Lakes

Eden Prairie, Minn./Eden Prairie

St. Paul, Minn./Mounds View

Mankato, Minn./West

Edina, Minn./Edina

Lindstrom, Minn./Chisago Lakes

Minnetonka, Minn./Minnetonka

Battle Lake, Minn./Ottertail Central

Woodbury, Minn./East Ridge

St. Cloud, Minn./Tech

Maple Grove, Minn./Breck

Orono, Minn./Orono

Sioux Falls, S.D./O’Gorman

12 Kristoff Kowalkowski So. QB 6-2 210 St. Cloud, Minn./Totino-Grace

13 Lucas Jansky Fr. QB 5-11 185 Kimball, Minn./Kimball Area

14 Carson Cyr Fr. K/P 5-11 190 Andover, Minn./Andover

14 Darian Washington Sr. WR 6-3 190 St. Cloud, Minn./Tech

15 Tommy Barrett Fr. WR 5-9 165 Ramsey, Minn./Anoka

15 Cale Wolf So. QB 6-3 230 Pequot Lakes, Minn./Pequot Lakes

16 Jake Deutschman Fr. QB 6-1 200 Ramsey, Minn./Anoka

17 Lukas Soto Jr. WR 6-1 190 Immokalee, Fla./Immokalee

18 Nick Peterson Jr. QB 6-3 210 Brooklyn Park, Minn./Benilde-St. Margaret’s

19 Sanders Asplin Jr. WR 5-10 190 Dassel, Minn./Dassel-Cokato

20 Wyatt Sawatzke Fr. WR 6-3 205 Monticello, Minn./Monticello

21 Josh Kirchoff Fr. WR 6-0 180 Carver, Minn./Chanhassen

22 Graham Beltrand So. WR 6-4 210 Long Lake, Minn./Orono

Jack Foster Fr. TE 6-6 240 Mankato, Minn./West

24 Christian Solberg Fr. WR 5-9 180 Detroit Lakes, Minn./Detroit Lakes

26 Tony Underwood Jr. RB 5-9 180 Eagan, Minn./Cretin-Derham Hall

27 A.J. Loch So. WR 6-1 190 Kildeer, Ill./Stevenson

27 Caden Wheeler Fr. RB 5-10 195 Andover, Minn./Andover

Quinn Christoffersen So.

Aaron Sears So.

Jakari Hunnecook Jr.

Kane Mahoney Fr.

Henry Truebenbach So.

Brady VanErp So.

Grant Ostlund Fr.

5-10

6-0

5-7

6-0

6-1

6-1

St. Paul, Minn./South St. Paul

Darien, Conn./Darien

Minneapolis, Minn./Patrick

Baraboo, Wis./Baraboo

Cambridge, Minn./Milaca

Battle Lake, Minn./Ottertail

No. Name Yr.

50 Nick McKenzie So.

51 Lucas Black So.

53 Spencer Gustin So.

54 Grant Peroutka So.

55 Tom Soler So.

56 Eddie Reece Fr.

57 Jack Hagen Fr.

58 T.J. Duerr Sr.

6-1 280 New London, Minn./New London-Spicer

6-0

Mendota Heights, Minn./Hill-Murray

6-2 270 St. Cloud, Minn./Tech

6-1 265 Rosemount, Minn./Rosemount

6-2 290 Circle Pines, Minn./Hill-Murray

6-5 270 Hudson, Wis./Hill-Murray

6-2 270 Roseville, Minn./St. Anthony Village

6-2 315 Buffalo, Minn./St. Michael-Albertville

59 Ethan Sutton Jr. OL 6-2 270 New Hope, Minn./Robbinsdale Armstrong

60 Ian DeGross Fr. OL 6-3 245 Elko, Minn./New Prague

61 Luc Myhre Fr. OL 6-4 260 Inver Grove Heights, Minn./Eagan

62 Charlie Brophy Fr. OL 6-1 280 Maple Plain, Minn./Orono

63 Joe Vascellaro So. OL 6-3 290 Minneapolis, Minn./St. Thomas Academy

64 Joe Jaeger Sr. OL 6-2 285 Lakeville, Minn./North

65 Sean Lew So. OL 6-2 290 Bermuda Dunes, Calif./Shadow Hills

66 Luke Wright Fr. OL 6-0 265 Woodbury, Minn./Woodbury

67 Hank Smith Jr. OL 6-2 235 Geneva, Ill./Geneva

68 Cameron Murphy Sr. OL 6-5 310 Willmar, Minn./Willmar

70 Alex Markgraf Fr. OL 6-0 280 St. Michael, Minn./St. Michael-Albertville

72 Charlie Folkens So. OL 6-2 285 Rogers, Minn./Rogers

74 Logan Winters Sr. OL 6-1 270 Woodbury, Minn./East Ridge

75 Blake Ashton So. OL 6-5 315 Woodbury, Minn./East Ridge

76 Steven Huberty Sr. OL 6-1 270 Albertville, Minn./St. Michael-Albertville

77 Carter Trom So. OL 6-2 295 Blaine, Minn./Blaine

78 Jack Stevens Fr. OL 6-4 270 Eagan, Minn./Eastview

79 Tommy Hessburg So. OL 6-5 280 Grosse Pointe Park, Mich./Grosse Pointe South

80 Vinny Gagliardi Jr. WR 5-9 160 St. Cloud, Minn./Tech

81 Todd Jager Jr. WR 6-0 185 St. Bonifacius, Minn./Waconia

82 Matt Miller So. WR 6-2 205 Lakeville, Minn./North

83 John Hawkins Fr. WR 6-0 175 St. Cloud, Minn./Cathedral

84 Peyton Gremmels Fr. WR 6-2 170 Stillwater, Minn./St. Croix Prep

85 Trey Steinbach Fr. TE 6-4 245 Marshall, Minn./Marshall

86 Caleb Leintz So. WR 6-2 190 St. Cloud, Minn./Cathedral

87 Josh Ehlen Sr. WR 6-1 190 Minneapolis, Minn./Providence Academy

88 Charlie Plum Fr. TE 6-4 210 Inver Grove Hts., Minn./Cretin-Derham Hall

89 Ezra Noska Jr. WR 5-10 175 Avon, Minn./Albany

90 Isaac Klemme So. WR 6-1 170 Sheboygan Falls, Wis./Sheboygan Falls

91 Owen Amrhein Fr. WR 5-11 160 Waconia, Minn./Waconia

92 Josh Delange Fr. WR 6-4 195 Medina, Minn./Orono

93 Jack Dzubnar Fr. WR 6-2 175 St. Paul, Minn./St. Thomas Academy

94 Blake Ehlert So. WR 6-0 170 St. Joseph, Minn./St. Cloud Cathedral

95 Spencer Ell Jr. K/P 5-11 185 Morristown, Minn./Bethlehem Academy

96 David Roberts Fr. K/P 6-3 160 West Des Moines, Iowa/Dowling Catholic

96 Eddie Sirek Fr. WR 5-8 165 New Prague, Minn./New Prague

99 Collin Kyro Jr. TE 6-2 220 Champlin, Minn./Champlin Park

Roelofs

Adam Schavey Fr.

Cam Jackson Jr.

Carter McEachern Fr.

Nolan Rueter So.

Jake Palmer Jr.

Lukas Theisen Sr.

Alex Harren Fr.

Jaden Kolker So.

Cayden Saxon Sr.

Connor Chalmers Sr.

Zachariah Hunter Fr.

Jack Savasten So.

5-11

5-10

6-5

6-2

5-10

5-10

6-2

5-11

6-3

6-0

5-11

6-2

Minn./Shakopee

Minn./Sartell-St.

Lillian, Minn./Willmar

Winnebago, Minn./Blue Earth Area

St. Paul, Minn./Cretin-Derham Hall

Zimmerman, Minn./Zimmerman

Avon, Minn./Albany

St. Anthony, Minn./St. Anthony Village

St. Cloud, Minn./Apollo

Rice, Minn./Sauk Rapids-Rice

Renville, Minn./Renville County West

Minnetonka, Minn./Hopkins

Chaska, Minn./Holy Family Catholic

Stillwater, Minn./Stillwater Area

No. Name Yr. Pos. Ht. Wt. Hometown/High School

42 Isaac Potter Fr. DB 6-0 200 Waseca, Minn./Waseca

43 Hayden Sanders So. LB 6-0 210 Brooklyn Park, Minn./Champlin Park

43 Abdul Sesay Fr. DB 5-10 170 St. Paul, Minn./Harding

Seymour Sr.

Brock Humbert Jr.

Ben Dahl So.

O’Malley So.

Joe Rossebo Sr.

Ethan Bollman Jr.

6-2 210 New Prague, Minn./New Prague

5-11

5-9

Cold Spring, Minn./Rocori

Otsego, Minn./Rogers

6-0 165 Sarasota, Fla./Booker

5-11

6-3

Woodbury, Minn./Woodbury

Annandale, Minn./Dassel-Cokato

48 Vinny Wanda Fr. DL 6-3 235 Lakeville, Minn./North

49 Erik Bjork Sr. LB 5-11 215 Mahtomedi, Minn./Mahtomedi

50 Jack Bjork Jr. LB 6-0 215 Mahtomedi, Minn./Mahtomedi

51 Aaron Aune Fr. LB 6-2 215 Golden Valley, Minn./Hopkins

52 Ryan Bercich Fr. LB 6-1 210 Lakeville, Minn./Holy Angels

53 Kaden Lukkes Fr. LB 5-10 180 New Prague, Minn./New Prague

53 Dawson Van Meter So. DL 6-0 230 Frederic, Wis./Luck

54 Amari Curtis Sr. DL 6-4 250 Downers Grove, Ill./Culver Academies

55 Nick Harris Sr. DL 6-3 240 Big Lake, Minn./Big Lake

55 Drew Schmidt Fr. LB 5-9 195 St. Cloud, Minn./Cathedral

57 Garret Strating Jr. LB 6-0 210 Lino Lakes, Minn./Centennial

58 Chad Mrachek Sr. LB 6-0 200 Orono, Minn./Orono

59 Aiden McMahon Fr. LB 6-1 195 Maple Grove, Minn./Maple Grove

60 Oscar Hrabe So. LB 5-11 200 St. Paul, Minn./St. Thomas Academy

61 Tommy Schaupp So. DL 6-0 195 St. Michael, Minn./St. Michael-Albertville

62 Mario Montalvo Sr. LB 5-10 200 Cathedral City, Calif./Rancho Mirage

63 Jayden Leach Fr. LB 6-1 200 Bayport, Minn./Stillwater Area

64 Jack Hillmann Fr. LB 5-11 175 Cokato, Minn./Dassel-Cokato

65 T.J. Graves Fr. DL 5-10 270 Millington, Tenn./Central

66 Keenan Turqueza Jr. LB 6-2 255 Ewa Beach, Hawaii/Radford

67 Mitch Vener Fr. DL 6-2 230 South St. Paul, Minn./South St. Paul

70 Caleb Thom Fr. DL 6-2 230 Minneapolis, Minn./Totino-Grace

71 Ben Karr Fr. DL 6-2 220 Stillwater, Minn./Hill-Murray

72 Dylan Owens Fr. DL 6-2 245 Andover, Minn./Andover

73 Jack Krza Fr. DL 6-4 220 Littleton, Colo./Mullen

75 Cole Engen Fr. DL 6-1 225 Esko, Minn./Esko

79 Anthony Chaudhary Fr. DL 6-3 230 Fridley, Minn./Totino-Grace

80 Gavin Zolvinski Fr. LB 6-1 210 La Porte, Ind./La Porte

81 Corey Steen Jr. Fr. DL 5-11 270 Dorchester, Wis./Colby

82 Etah Akoh So. DL 6-4 230 Hugo, Minn./Cretin-Derham Hall

Lundebrek

Jacob Omtvedt

Mark Roane

Jordan Borgeson

Hawker Hechtl

Gallagher

Michael Wozniak

Chandler Obering

DeRosier

Davis

Johnson

Kangas

Frank

Pepple

Otsego, Minn./Rogers

Daphne, Ala./Daphne

Chanhassen, Minn./Holy Family Catholic

Rochester, Minn./Lourdes

Davis, Calif./Jesuit

Murrieta, Calif./Vista Murrieta

New Hope, Minn./Robbinsdale

Orange, Calif./Villa Park

Baxter, Minn./Brainerd

Daphne, Ala./Daphne

Murrieta, Calif./Vista Murrieta

Faribault, Minn./Bethlehem

Lino Lakes, Minn./Centennial

Otsego, Minn./Rogers

Minn./Hastings

Irons

Streiff

Singleton

Elijah Allen Fr.

Clayton Dippold Jr.

Dominic Sasser So.

Jackson Cleveland Sr.

Oryon Hamlin Jr.

Aiden Chang Sr.

Ryan Flanagan Sr.

Jesse Falk So.

Blake Neithart Jr.

Ryan McGregor Sr.

John Overby Jr.

Josiah Tusler So.

Sergio Yap So.

5-10

6-2

5-10

6-1

6-2

5-11

5-9

5-10

5-10

5-10

6-0

6-0

5-11

Calif./Live

N.H./Winnacunnet

Calif./Troy

Kennewick, Wash./Kamiakin

Mercer Island, Wash./Mercer Island

Cochran, Ga./Bleckley County

River Falls, Wis./River Falls

Inglewood, Calif./Chadwick School

Palo Alto, Calif./Palo Alto

Chappaqua, N.Y./Horace Greeley

Bloomington, Minn./Kennedy

Pasadena, Calif./Loyola

Ellsworth, Wis./Ellsworth

Vermillion, S.D./Sioux Falls

Osseo, Minn./Osseo

Wt. Hometown/High

43 Luis Miranda Jr. DB 5-10 205 Pomfret, Conn./Woodstock Academy

44 Cameron Velasquez Sr. TE 6-0 220 Aurora, Ill./Metea Valley

45 Adam Nik Sr. DB 5-10 185 Mankato, Minn./Eden Prairie

46 Ugo Anyaegbunam So. DB 5-11 200 Omaha, Neb./Creighton Prep

48 Luke Sugalski Fr. DL 6-5 230 Minnetonka, Minn./The Blake School

49 Marcus Merkelbach Fr. P/K 6-1 195 Seattle, WA/Garfield

50 Noah Eckersley-Ray Sr.

51

JP Janik Fr.

6-1 220 Yarmouth, Maine/Yarmouth

6-1 205 Naples, FL/Gulf Coast

52 Paul Fairchild Sr. OL 6-1 250 Jackson, Mich./Jackson

53 Andrew Thompson Sr. OL/LS 6-0 265 Spencer, Iowa/Spencer

55 Isaac Simons Sr. LB 5-11 220 Oconomowoc, Wis./Lake Country Luth.

56 Logan Woodmancy Fr. OL 6-3 285 North Royalton, Ohio/North Royalton

57 Jack Fraley Sr. LB 5-10 210 Minneapolis, Minn./The Blake School

58 Jacob Ventura Fr. LB 6-1 210 Short Hills, N.J./Pingry

59 Will Maxwell Jr. OL 6-1 200 Bloomfield Hills, Mich./Cranbrook Kingswood

62 Charlie Shemwell Fr. OL 6-2 295 League City, Texas/Clear Creek

63 Ty Folks So. OL 6-1 300 Annapolis, Md./Saint Mary’s

66 Michael Carey Jr. DL 6-3 250 Haddonfield, N.J./Haddonfield Memorial

68 Isaac Mouacheupao Fr. OL 6-1 270 North St. Paul, Minn./Cretin-Derham Hall

71 Chris Elliott Jr. OL 6-2 285 Delmar, Del./Delmar Middle Senior

72 Cole Spivak Fr. OL 6-4 300 Irwin, Penn./Greensburg Central Catholic

73 Declan Schwab So. OL 6-4 275 Seattle, Wash./Lakeside

74 Oliver Jacobs Sr. OL 6-5 280 Mill Valley, Calif./Branson

75 Connor Kelly Sr. OL 6-4 300 Edina, Minn./Edina

76 Ben Pham Sr. OL 6-1 255 Lombard, Ill./Glenbard East

78 Adward Frazier So. DL 6-3 320 Kansas City, Mo./Rockhurst

79 Noah Morris So. OL 6-1 285 Gladstone, N.J./Pingry School

80 Tyler Dimond Fr. WR 6-1 190 North Grafton, Mass./Grafton

81 James Ryan Fr. WR 6-0 185 Carlsbad, Calif./Carlsbad

82 Julian Dahl Fr. QB 6-2 185 Las Vegas, Nev./Phillips Academy

83 Garrett Siff So. WR/RB 5-10 175 Takoma Park, Md./Montgomery Blair

84 Charlie Dvergsten Sr. WR 6-1 190 Hillsborough, N.C./Durham Academy

85 Thomas Chown Sr. TE 6-4 210 Stafford, Va./Colonial Forge

87 Rye Storrs Fr. TE/WR 6-3 225 Portland, Ore./Franklin

88 Jack Huffman Jr. WR 6-3 200 Santa Barbara, Calif./San Marcos

90 Bemnet Abebayehu So. DL 6-1 225 St. Paul, Minn./Concordia Academy

91 Gabriel Viruet-Quintero Fr. DL 5-10 225 Roslyn Heights, N.Y./Roslyn

95 Nate Campbell Jr. DL 5-10 210 Rolling Hills Estates, Calif./Palos Verdes

97 Aaron Berkowitz Sr. DL 6-0 235 Kansas City, Mo./Pembroke Hill School

99 Skyler Kessenich Sr. DL/LS 6-4 265 Baltimore, Md./Friends School

MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT BRUESS

Hello and welcome to Clemens Stadium and the campus of Saint John’s University for another exciting afternoon of Johnnie football! I’ve truly enjoyed the excitement of the fall athletic season and the connections I’ve been able to make with so many Saint Ben’s and Saint John’s fans and supporters this fall.

Speaking of connections, many of you have probably already noticed one of the most dramatic new additions to the Saint John’s campus this fall – the new Nicol Bridge over Stumpf Lake, connecting the main campus to Flynntown. We officially dedicated both the bridge and the new St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Townhomes last month.

The bridge itself is impressive. At 270 feet long, it’s nearly the length of a football field. In fact, it took two of the largest cranes in the United States to pick it up from opposite sides of the lake and place it onto its foundation. But the significant thing about Nicol Bridge isn’t its magnitude, but it’s purpose.

This pedestrian crossing was built for safety. As much as possible, we want to keep students from walking on County Road 159 – or from crossing the frozen lake. And, in connecting the upper and lower campus, it creates a grand entry to Flynntown, starting with the Seton Townhomes.

These townhomes replace the previous Seton Apartments – the Earth Homes – which served the campus since 1982. Both then and now, the housing is named in honor of Elizabeth Ann Seton, the first American to be canonized to sainthood.

The first phase of townhomes consists of two buildings with 20 apartments for 94 students. Most of the apartments in the complex house six students, and include a living room, kitchen area and two bedrooms on the first floor and four bedrooms on the second. All are air conditioned, and the buildings include shared student space and laundry facilities.

The second phase has already begun, on the site that was Metten Court. Constructed in 1991, Metten Court was razed in August to make way for an additional building with eight more apartments for 48 students that will be completed next summer.

The Seton Townhomes and Nicol Bridge further strengthen the residential experience at Saint John’s, particularly for our upperclassmen. Along with the McKeown Center, Vincent Court and the Flynntown apartments, these residential facilities create a robust neighborhood with a strong sense of community and belonging. After all, that’s the hallmark of the Benedictine life we hold so dear.

GO JOHNNIES!

WEEK IN PICTURES

Junior quarterback Aaron Syverson ended the day 12 of 18 passing for 140 yards and two touchdowns, and also rushed for a four-yard score in the first quarter, before exiting the game in the second quarter during SJU’s 56-6 win at St. Scholastica last Saturday in Duluth.

Sophomore quarterback Cale Wolf made his collegiate debut in the third quarter and totaled 119 yards of offense. He rushed for 34 yards and a third-quarter touchdown on six attempts and finished six of seven passing for 85 yards.

Freshman tight end Joey Gendreau snagged five passes for 60 yards, including his second collegiate touchdown from 31 yards out late in the second quarter.

Senior wide receiver Nick VanErp caught six passes for 105 yards, including touchdown grabs of 6 and 25 yards in the first half.

BY FRANK RAJKOWSKI

Let’s establish one thing right away.

Dylan and Caden Wheeler are not related. Though growing up playing sports in the northern suburbs of the Twin Cities, the current Saint John’s University freshmen were certainly aware of one another.

“We used to play basketball against each other in grade school,” said Dylan, a 6-foot-3, 200-pound wide receiver. “Then later, we each ran track, and we’d run into each other there from time-to-time too. So we’ve known each other a little bit over the years.”

That familiarity has only deepened this fall as both players have made immediate impacts during their first season in Collegeville.

Dylan, a Mounds View High School graduate, has worked his way into the team’s passing game and already has a pair of touchdown catches – a 28-yarder in a 35-28 Homecoming victory over Concordia on Oct. 1 and a 32-yarder in a 41-27 win over Gustavus Adolphus on Oct. 22.

Caden, meanwhile, turned immediate heads when the 5-foot-10, 195-pound Andover High School grad tied for the team’s secondfastest 40-yard dash time when practice opened in August. That speed has already helped him become the Johnnies’ leader in kick-return yardage, and he has seen a little time in the backfield at running back as well.

His 68-yard touchdown run in a 49-10 win at St. Olaf on Oct. 15 is the Johnnies’ longest run-from-scrimmage this season. He has nine carries for 103 yards in all entering play today.

“It’s kind of cool that two Wheelers are doing this well as freshmen,” said Caden, who helped lead Andover to the Class 3A state track and field title last spring when he ran a leg of the Huskies’ 4x200 relay team, which finished in third place at the state meet, and was a finalist in the 400-meter dash and 4x400 relay as well.

“Some of the guys on the sideline have joked around - saying they’re going to change their last name to Wheeler so they can get some more playing time.”

Dylan’s rise is even more remarkable when you consider that he had not played football since seventh grade when he elected to come out for the sport as a senior at Mounds View last fall.

“I was really into basketball,” said Dylan, who drew plenty of college recruiting interest on the court. “College basketball was my goal. But I was starting to get a little burnt out so I decided to give football a try.”

It was a decision which paid immediate dividends as he finished with five catches for 134 yards and a touchdown in his team’s seasonopening win at Totino-Grace.

From there, a new passion was ignited.

“I just love this sport so much,” said Dylan, who originally planned on playing both sports for the Johnnies, but recently decided to focus on football exclusively. “I love being around all the guys, and all the energy you feel on the sideline and on the field. There’s nothing like it.”

It’s an enthusiasm Caden shares. And both Wheelers said their hope is to continue making an impact at SJU for years to come.

“I feel like everything is coming together really well,” Caden said.

“More and more, I’m getting the chance to show my talents to the coaching staff and so is Dylan. It’s exciting to think we still have three more years together left to go.”

Dylan Wheeler

Caden Wheeler

STUDY ABROAD

When you enroll at the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University, you aren’t just punching your ticket to a unique and life-changing educational experience.

You could also be gaining a passport to exploring and immersing yourself in other cultures, making memories that will remain with you for decades to come.

The two schools currently offer 15 semester-long study abroad programs across six continents, and rank seventh among baccalaureate institutions nationally when it comes to semester study-abroad participation.

Before they graduated in 2021, 43 percent of that year’s senior class at CSB and SJU had studied abroad.

The Center for Global Education (CGE) provides full-semester education abroad experiences for undergraduate students through the following programs:

• Australia – Fremantle

• Austria – Salzburg

• Chile - Viña del Mar

• England – London (Fall or Spring semester)

• Germany – Eichstatt

• France – Cannes

• Greece – Athens

• Italy - Rome

• Ireland – Cork and Dublin

• Japan – Tokyo

• Mexico - Chiapas

• South Africa - Gqeberha

• Spain – Seville

Each study program is limited to between 15 and 35 participants, and the majority are led by our own faculty members.

In addition to those semester-long programs, CGE also coordinates with various CSB and SJU academic departments to offer 10-15 short-term study abroad options each year - either in the summer or embedded within the semester. Students can also choose to study abroad elsewhere through an external study abroad program.

For detailed information about the study abroad programs offered at CSB and SJU, please consult the CGE website csbsju.edu/global

Come to Saint Ben’s and Saint John’s and prepare to see the world!

For almost 175 years, the Saint John’s community – monastics, students, faculty and alumni – have served their country in peace and war. That service is observed in the recently established Gallery of Honor, located in the passageway between the Quad and Saint Benet Hall.

The Gallery hosts a Military Honor Roll, which relates the stories of 5,907 men and women who have served their country in peace and war. On the west wall is a bronze plaque that includes 486 veterans of World War I. The facing wall holds plaques that honor Tom Burnett ’85, a passenger on United Flight 93 and a hero of the 9/11 tragedy; and Col. Mark Vande Hei ’89, the first Johnnie astronaut who served two International Space Station missions.

After the United States entered World War II, Saint John’s began formal military training when a contingent of 150 airmen arrived on campus and became the first members of the 87th College Training Detachment of the Army Air Corps. In less than a year, Saint John’s prepared over 1,000 men for their roles as airmen.

Saint John’s initial mandatory ROTC program began in 1952. The top-rated cadet in that class was the Honorable David F. Durenberger, who represented the state of Minnesota in the U.S. Senate from 1978-95. The ROTC program became optional in 1965, and students from St. Cloud State University joined the program in 1968. ROTC was opened to female students from the College of Saint Benedict and St. Cloud State University in 1974.

Saint John’s annually holds a Veterans Day Salute during the football game closest to Veterans Day/Armistice Day. This year, Saint John’s honors Brigadier General John W. Weidner, who will present his salute via the videoboard.

Gen. Weidner was commissioned a second lieutenant in 1991 after his graduation from Saint John’s Fighting Saints Battalion. He majored in physics at SJU and completed his doctoral degree in medical physics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He also holds master’s degrees in medical physics, nuclear engineering management and strategic studies.

Gen. Weidner currently serves as Deputy Director, Plans and Policy, U.S. Strategic Command. Prior to that assignment, he was Director of the U.S. Army Nuclear and Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction agency.

Gen. Weidner is married to Michelle (Nentwig) Weidner, CSB Class of 1991.

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE: A DISTINGUISHED MAJOR

We recognize human beings and the world we share with all creation presently face unprecedented environmental challenges. The coming century will confront humanity to devise a sustainable destiny for Earth and its inhabitants. Citizens who want a voice in determining the fate of the planet require knowledge and experience in a wide variety of disciplines, since this quest raises fundamental questions about human values, lifestyles and our place in nature.

Environmental studies takes a multidisciplinary approach to the study of human interactions with the natural environment. It integrates the different perspectives of the humanities, social sciences, biological sciences and physical sciences and applies these perspectives to pressing environmental concerns. The CSB+SJU major in environmental studies is rooted in the principals of a liberal arts, Benedictine education. As a major in the liberal arts tradition, it strives for a broad, interdisciplinary understanding. As a program rooted in Christian institutions, it affirms the goodness of the natural world and encourages respect and care for God’s creation in all its diversity. As a reflection of our Benedictine heritage, it prepares students to take an active part in contemporary life and to exert leadership in response to one of the greatest social and moral challenges of our time.

Saint John’s University is uniquely suited for environmental studies. Set amid 2,700 acres of varied terrain, the Saint John’s campus is remarkable in its natural beauty. It includes wetlands, several lakes, an oak savanna, a restored prairie and hiking trails that wind through an extensive pine and

hardwood forest. In addition to its recreational value, the landscape inspires spiritual and artistic reflection and fosters the Benedictine traditions of land stewardship, education and environmental respect.

Granite Partners is a private investment and holding company founded in 2002 in St. Cloud, Minnesota, with a mission to grow companies and create value for all stakeholders. As trusted partners, innovative leaders, and responsible stewards, we are committed to 100-year sustainability, and we aspire to world-class wellbeing for all people in and around the Granite community.

SAINT

WR

PROBABLE STARTERS

Jimmy Buck Jr., 6-4,

UPCOMING JOHNNIE

Saturday, Nov. 5

Tuesday, Nov. 8 Basketball

Thursday, Nov. 10

CARLETON OFFENSE

WR

TE

OL

OL

OL

OL

OL

WR

WR

QB

RB

Beau Nelson Sr., 5-11, 185

Ntense Obono So., 6-2, 218

Paul Fairchild Sr., 6-1, 250

Andrew Thompson Sr., 6-0, 265

Chris Elliott Jr., 6-2, 285

Oliver Jacobs Sr., 6-5, 280

Ben Pham Sr., 6-1, 255

WIll Irons Sr., 6-5, 215

Nathan Streiff So., 6-3, 195

Jonathan Singleton Sr., 6-0, 190

Aiden Chang Sr., 5-11, 175

SAINT JOHN’S

DE

DT

Metoriah Faoliu Sr., 6-1, 270

Michael Wozniak Sr., 6-3, 255

Amari Curtis Sr., 6-4, 250

Joe Akoh Jr., 6-4, 240

Erik Bjork Sr., 5-11, 215

Hayden Sanders So., 6-0, 210

Cooper Yaggie So., 6-0, 200

Cayden Saxon Sr., 6-3, 200

Ethan Stark Sr., 6-1, 195

Noah Arneson Fr., 6-0, 185

John Kohler Sr., 6-0, 190

Friday, Nov. 11 Hockey at Northland (Wis.)

Saturday, Nov. 12

at NCAA

MIAC

at Concordia Wrestling at Buena Vista (Iowa)

Wednesday, Nov. 16