Saint John's University senior quarterback Joe Boyle (Richfield, Minn./Holy Angels) completed 11 of 17 passes for 318 yards and two touchdowns, his second consecutive 300-yard passing performance and third of the season, in the Johnnies’ 49-0 shutout of Hamline last Saturday. Despite the snowy conditions, SJU rolled up 604 yards of offense, including 404 thru the air, spearheaded by Boyle’s three quarters of play. He also added 23 yards and two more touchdowns on three carries. Boyle completed the fourth-longest pass in school history, an 86-yard touchdown strike to Sam Pederson, in the second quarter. He earned MIAC Co-Offensive Player of the Week honors for the second straight week for his performance.
He ended the season as the MIAC’s leader in passing (268.6 ypg.), pass efficiency rating (173.1) and total offense (292.1 ypg.). Boyle ended his career second at SJU in both quarterback rushing yards (447) and rushing touchdowns (17); fourth in completion percentage (60.9); sixth in completions (362), pass attempts (594) and passing yards (4,837); seventh in pass efficiency (145.7) and eighth in touchdown passes (41). His 2010 pass efficiency rating of 169.2 is the second-best in school history.
Boyle directed the MIAC’s (conference games only) best overall offense (489.0 ypg.) and pass offense (292.5 ypg.) in 2010; the first time since 2003. SJU finished last (130.1 ypg.) in the MIAC (conference game only) in pass offense last fall. The Johnnies recorded over 500 yards of offense in each of their seven wins this season, and, like 2004 (the last time SJU did not make the playoffs), lost three games by three points or less.
SJU ended the 2010 season with a 6-2 record in the MIAC and a 7-3 overall record. The third-place finish in the conference is the lowest since 1997. Head coach John Gagliardi completed his 62nd season with a 478-129-11 (.782) career record and a 454-123-10 (.782) record in 58 seasons at SJU.
