Box Score | Video Highlights

COLLEGEVILLE, Minn. – Saint John's scored the final 15 points of the game and three different Johnnies recorded a touchdown pass in the 29-15 season-opening victory over East Texas Baptist, Saturday, Sept. 6 in Collegeville.

Junior wide receiver Ben Vanderheyden (Plymouth, Minn./Wayzata) put the Johnnies on the board first on a 47-yard reverse pass from senior wide receiver Bryan Busack (Vesta, Minn./Redwood Valley) 2:27 into the game.  After getting shut-out in the first quarter, the Tigers began the second quarter with a 29-yard field goal by Kyle Pope at the 13:08 mark.  Busack then scored a touchdown of his own on a 25-yard pass from sophomore quarterback Joe Boyle (Richfield, Minn./Holy Angels) late in the second quarter to increase the Johnnies' lead to 14-3. Less than a minute later, ETBU responded with a 16-yard touchdown pass from Stephen Oehlschlaeger to Jari Brooks. The Johnnies entered halftime ahead 14-9 following Pope's missed PAT attempt.

East Texas Baptist took the lead 7:57 into the second half with a 48-yard touchdown pass from Oehlschlaeger to tight end Nick Peoples.  At the beginning of the fourth quarter, junior quarterback Mike Crees (Plymouth, Minn./Wayzata) connected with senior running back Jeff Schnobrich (New Ulm, Minn./Cathedral) on a 29-yard touchdown pass with 11:41 remaining in the game.  The Johnnies then converted on a two-point conversion with a pass from Crees to senior tight end Brian Saladin (Woodstock, Ill.) to give SJU a 22-15 lead.  Senior cornerback Derek Stifter (Watertown, Minn./Watertown-Mayer) sealed the win for SJU on a 68-yard interception return for a touchdown with twenty seconds remaining.

Schnobrich led SJU (1-0, 0-0 MIAC) with 153 yards of total offense, including 101 yards receiving on 7 catches and a touchdown.  Crees was 5 of 7 passing for 68 yards and a touchdown, while Boyle completed 8 of 10 passes for 69 yards and a touchdown.  On the defensive side for the Johnnies, junior linebacker Ethan Eid (Arden Hills, Minn./Cretin-Derham Hall) led the squad with 11 tackles (three solo), while junior linebacker Ryan Wimmer (St. Cloud, Minn./Cathedral) posted 10 tackles and an interception. Senior defensive lineman Joe Luke (Alexandria, Minn.) posted two sacks.

Oehlschlaeger completed 20 passes on 42 attempts for 229 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions, while Peoples caught 7 passes for 91 yards and a touchdown.  Linebacker Austin Sturroch led the Tigers' defense with nine tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, a forced fumble and fumble recovery.

With the win, SJU head coach John Gagliardi improves his overall record to 454-122-11 (.706) in 60 seasons, including a 430-116-10 (.782) record in 56 seasons at SJU. Gagliardi will tie Eddie Robinson for the most games coached (588) against Wisconsin-River Falls next Saturday, Sept. 13.  Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Clemens Stadium in Collegeville.

SJU now improves to 67-28-3 (.705) in season openers, including a 37-16-3 (.698) record in Collegeville.