Box Score | Photos (John Biasi)

NORTHFIELD, Minn. – For the second consecutive season, Saint John's came from behind in the final minute to defeat Carleton on Saturday, Nov. 15 in Northfield.

Last year, senior running back Mike Patnode ran for a one-yard touchdown with 56 seconds remaining to cap his 230-yard rushing performance and clinch a 10-7 win in Northfield. This year, it was another senior running back, Jeff Schnobrich (New Ulm, Minn./Cathedral), who claimed the game-winning score.

Following Carleton's go-ahead touchdown with under a minute left in regulation, sophomore quarterback Joe Boyle (Richfield, Minn./Holy Angels) orchestrated a four-play, 62-yard scoring drive that ended on a 22-yard touchdown pass to Schnobrich with 16 seconds remaining to defeat the Knights, 14-10. The game-winning drive consumed only 34 seconds.

The win clinches the MIAC championship and the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Division III playoffs, which begin next Saturday, Nov. 22. Postseason selections and brackets will be announced between 2 and 2:30 p.m. Sunday afternoon (Nov. 16) on ESPNews.

SJU earned its MIAC-record 30th conference championship, the 26th title under head coach John Gagliardi, and the 13th in the last 18 seasons. The win also secured the program's 23rd postseason appearance (and 10th in the past 11 seasons) under Gagliardi.

Following a scoreless first quarter and a majority of the second, Boyle gave SJU a 7-0 lead with a seven-yard touchdown run, his fifth in the last four games, with 57 seconds left in the first half.

A 41-yard field goal by Carleton's Tim Kane, which matched his season high, cut the Johnnies' lead to 7-3 with 10:20 left in the third quarter.

SJU denied an excellent opportunity for Carleton (7-3, 5-3 MIAC) to take the lead when it stopped quarterback Shane Henfling on two plays on the two-yard line at the start of the fourth quarter.

The Knights responded, however, with a 16-play, 84-yard drive that ended with a four-yard touchdown pass from Henfling to wide receiver Matt Frank to give Carleton a 10-7 lead with only 50 seconds left.

Starting on its own 38-yard line, Boyle connected with Schnobrich for passes of nine and eight yards, respectively, before hitting sophomore tight end Josh Overman (Albany, Minn.) for a 23-yard gain to the Knights' 22-yard line. Boyle then found a wide-open Schnobrich in the end zone on the very next play to take the lead, 14-10.

Boyle ended the day 18 of 33 passing for 271 yards. Schnobrich caught nine passes for 145 yards, his third 100-yard receiving game of the season, and gained 34 yards on eight carries. Senior linebacker Nick Kotsmith (Foley, Minn.) made 14 tackles (eight solo) and forced a fumble, while junior linebacker Ryan Wimmer (St. Cloud, Minn./Cathedral) collected 11 tackles (four solo) and a forced fumble.

Henfling was 28 of 44 passing for 231 yards in the game. Frank caught 11 of Henfling's passes for 98 yards, while Phil Blue gained 68 yards on 15 carries. Drew Ziller led the Knights with 12 tackles (five solo) on the day.

With the win, legendary SJU head coach John Gagliardi improved his career record to 461-124-11 (.783) in 60 seasons, including a 437-118-10 (.782) record in 56 seasons at SJU. Gagliardi is now 342-89-9 (.788) all-time in MIAC games.

The Johnnies have posted a 39-17 playoff record, including NCAA Division III titles in 2003 and 1976, and NAIA titles in 1965 and 1963. Saint John's is 18-3 all-time in the first round of either the NAIA or NCAA playoff formats, including an 11-1 record at Clemens Stadium. The only first-round loss in Collegeville occurred Nov. 19, 1977 (20-9 loss vs. Wabash, Ind.). The last time the Johnnies lost in the first round was a 28-10 loss at Occidental, Calif. on Nov. 23, 1985. SJU is 15-0 since.