Box Score | Photos (John Biasi)

WHITEWATER, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater scored 37 unanswered points, including 28 in the second half, to defeat Saint John's University 37-7 in the first round of the NCAA Division III playoffs Saturday, Nov. 22 in Whitewater, Wis.

SJU took a 7-0 lead on an 11-yard touchdown pass from sophomore quarterback Joe Boyle (Richfield, Minn./Holy Angels) to running back Jakob Reding (Eden Prairie, Minn.) with 7:09 left in the first quarter. The play capped a 12-play, 76-yard drive that consumed 6:15.

A bad snap from center on an SJU punt gave Wis.-Whitewater prime field position on the Johnnies' 21-yard line. Six plays later, however, quarterback Jeff Donovan fumbled on the two-yard line where it was recovered by senior linebacker Nick Kotsmith (Foley, Minn.).

Following a three-and-out by SJU, Whitewater advanced to the Johnnies' two-yard line, but was held to a 19-yard field goal by Jeff Schebler with 10:12 left in the second quarter.

Following another SJU three-and-out, the Warhawks started another possession on the Johnnies' side of the 50, but were again held to a field goal. Schebler made the 32-yard attempt to cut the Johnnies' lead to 7-6 with 5:16 left in the first half.

Schebler then made a 41-yarder with 1:55 remaining in the second quarter to give the Warhawks a 9-7 lead.

After a SJU fumble, Whitewater marched 45 yards in 1:11, but was stuffed on second-and-goal from the one-yard line as time expired in the half.

UWW's Antwan Anderson increased the Warhawks' lead to 16-7 with a 43-yard touchdown run with 11:10 left in the third quarter.

Donovan then scored on a four-yard keeper to make it 23-7 with 1:40 left in the third quarter.

Boyle was knocked out of the game due to an injury in the third quarter. His replacement, junior Jordan Hansel (St. Cloud, Minn./Tech) led the Johnnies on a nine-play, 65-yard drive that stalled on the Warhawks' two-yard line.

Anderson then scored on a four-yard touchdown run with 6:53 remaining in the game. Bruce Langer ran in from 21 yards out with 3:24 left to end the scoring for both teams.

Boyle ended his injury-shortened day five of 11 passing for 60 yards and a touchdown. Boyle, who was sacked four times on the game, rushed for 21 yards on 14 carries. Senior running back Jeff Schnobrich (New Ulm, Minn./Cathedral) led the Johnnies with 27 yards on seven carries. Senior wide receiver Bryan Busack (Vesta, Minn./Redwood Valley) caught three passes for 20 yards, while junior wide receiver Ben Vanderheyden (Plymouth, Minn./Wayzata) caught two passes for 59 yards.

Junior defensive back Bobby Klint (Minneapolis, Minn./Totino-Grace) led SJU with 12 tackles (five solo). Junior linebacker Ethan Eid (Arden Hills, Minn./Cretin-Derham Hall) recorded 11 tackles (four solo) and an interception, while senior linebacker Nick Kotsmith (Foley, Minn.) made 10 tackles (five solo) with a forced fumble and fumble recovery.

Anderson ended the day with 158 yards rushing and two touchdowns on 20 carries, while Coppage finished with 89 yards on 19 carries for the Warhawks (10-1, 6-1 WIAC).

Seven of the Johnnies' 12 drives ended on three-and-outs (two fumbles, two turnover-on-downs and one touchdown).

UWW outgained the Johnnies 445-139 in the game, including a 321-29 advantage on the ground. The Warhawks made 11 tackles for loss to the Johnnies' one. The Johnnies' average starting field position was their own 24-yard line, compared to its own 44-yard line for the Warhawks.

SJU head coach John Gagliardi ends his 60th season with a 461-125-11 (.781) career record and a 437-119-10 (.781) record in 56 seasons at SJU.

The loss is the first for the Johnnies in the opening round of the NCAA Division III playoffs since 1985 (15-1 record since).