Saint John’s University junior running back Sam Sura (South St. Paul, Minn.) set the tone for SJU in its 27-8 season-opening win over UW-River Falls on Sept. 6. He ran for 116 yards and three touchdowns on 15 carries (7.7 avg.) to help SJU build a 24-0 lead at halftime and finished with 168 yards and the three scores on 28 carries (6.0 avg.), all three of which were career highs. He also caught three passes for 25 yards.
The Johnnies ran for 309 yards and totaled a school-record 44:10 of possession in the victory. Despite a 0-10 record last fall, River Falls finished fourth in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference in rushing defense, allowing 158.4 yards in seven conference games.
SJU travels to face Wisconsin-Eau Claire for a 6 p.m. kickoff this Saturday, Sept. 13, at Hargis Park in Eau Claire.
