Box Score | Photos (John Biasi)

COLLEGEVILLE, Minn. - Saint John's defeated Gustavus Adolphus 31-17 in front of a Homecoming crowd of nearly 12,000 on Sept. 27 in Collegeville. Junior quarterback Jordan Hansel (St. Cloud, Minn./Tech) came off the bench in the second quarter and ended the day 19 of 36 passing for 283 yards and three touchdowns, and rushed for another score to lead SJU.

The Johnnies are now 63-16-2 in 81 Homecoming games and have not lost on Homecoming Day since 1994.

Defense had the upper hand in the first quarter, as both offenses combined for just 55 yards in the opening frame as Gustavus took a 3-0 lead on a 39-yard field goal by John Ostertag. SJU answered with a 42-yard touchdown pass from Hansel to senior wide receiver Bryan Busack (Vesta, Minn./Redwood Valley) with 8:09 remaining in the second quarter.

The Gusties, however, regained the lead on a 5-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Jordan Becker to wide receiver Elliott Herdina with 5:03 remaining in the first half.

The Johnnies ended the second half with a 1-yard touchdown run by Hansel and a 29-yard field goal by senior Russell Gliadon (Fridley, Minn.) to take a 17-10 lead into halftime.

Hansel connected with Busack once again for a 6-yard touchdown pass midway through the third quarter. Hansel's third touchdown thru the air came at the beginning of the fourth quarter on a 22-yard connection to junior wide receiver Ben Vanderheyden (Plymouth, Minn./Wayzata) to extend the lead to 31-10. Gustavus scored a touchdown with 6:44 remaining in the game on a 3-yard touchdown pass from Becker to wide receiver Chad Arlt.

Senior running back Jeff Schnobrich (New Ulm, Minn./Cathedral) led the Johnnies with six receptions for 111 yards, while Busack caught five passes for 98 yards and two touchdowns. Vanderheyden ended the day with four catches for 49 yards and one touchdown for the Johnnies. Junior linebacker Ryan Wimmer (St. Cloud, Minn./Cathedral) recorded 14 tackles (seven solo) and one sack for SJU.

Becker completed 16 of 23 passes for 190 yards with two touchdowns and one interception for Gustavus (2-1, 1-1 MIAC). Arlt ended the day with seven receptions for 141 yards and one touchdown. Defensive back Joe Welch led the Gusties' defense with eight tackles, including six solo.

SJU (3-1, 1-1 MIAC) travels to face Bethel next Saturday, Oct. 4. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Royal Stadium in Arden Hills.