Box Score | Video Highlights

COLLEGEVILLE, Minn. - Saint John's rushed for 215 of its 361 total yards to defeat the University of Wisconsin-River Falls 22-6 in a rain-soaked Collegeville Saturday, Sept. 13. Head coach John Gagliardi tied Eddie Robinson for the most games coached (588) with the contest today.

The Johnnies totaled 37 minutes in time of possession, including 22 minutes in the first half alone.

An eight-yard pass from junior quarterback Michael Crees (Plymouth, Minn./Wayzata) to senior tight end Brett Saladin (Woodstock, Ill.) gave SJU an early 7-0 on the first drive of the game. The drive consisted of 12 plays for 57 yards and consumed 5:43. A 29-yard field goal by senior kicker Russell Gliadon (Fridley, Minn.) increased the Johnnies' lead to 10-0 a minute into the second quarter. The Saint John's defense held UW-RF to just 66 yards of total offense and three first downs in the first half.

After a scoreless third quarter, UW-RF's Storm Harmon found the end zone on a quarterback keeper with 13:01 to play, cutting SJU's lead to 10-6.

Saint John's answered on the very next drive as senior running back Jeff Schnobrich (New Ulm, Minn./Cathedral) ran in from four yards out to make it a 16-6 game in favor of Saint John's. With 1:17 remaining, Crees scored on from six yards out to make the score 22-6. 

Sophomore running back Jakob Reding (Eden Prairie, Minn.) averaged 5.9 yards per carry on 12 carries and totaled 71 yards, while Schnobrich gained 69 yards on 26 carries and a touchdown. Crees ended the day 13 of 21 passing for 146 yards with one touchdown through the air and another on the ground. Junior linebacker Ryan Wimmer (St. Cloud, Minn./Cathedral) posted 10 tackles (five solo) for the second consecutive week, while seniors Mike Schumacher (Arden Hills, Minn./Totino-Grace) and Joe Luke (Alexandria, Minn.) each recorded a sack for the Johnnies.

Harmon was 12 of 22 passing, 0-for-5 in the first half, for 117 yards. Tight end Ryan Hansen caught seven passes for 65 yards. Linebacker Justin Eloranta recorded 18 tackles (12 solo), including one tackle for loss. Linebacker Curtis Johnson had one interception and 10 tackles for the Falcons defense.

SJU outgained the Falcons 361-203 in the game, including a 215-86 edge on the ground. The Johnnies recorded 26 first downs in the game to UW-RF's 10, as the Falcons were just 1 of 10 on third down.

With the win, Gagliardi improves his overall record to 455-122-11 (.783) in 60 seasons, including a 431-116-10 (.783) record in 56 seasons at SJU.

SJU (2-0, 0-0 MIAC) opens the MIAC portion of its 2008 schedule against Concordia-Moorhead next Saturday, Sept. 20. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Clemens Stadium in Collegeville.