Box Score | Listen to Archived Game | Photos (John Biasi, Dawid Chabowski, Brace Hemmelgarn)
Post-Game Videos:
-Seniors Russell Gliadon/Andrew Gurbada (0:27)
-Senior Cornerback Dominic Haik (0:20)
-Junior Lineback John Stanton (0:17)
COLLEGEVILLE, Minn. – No. 5 Saint John's turned two of its takeaways into points as the Johnnies defeated St. Olaf 10-3 on Saturday, Oct. 24, in Collegeville.
Following a three-and-out by SJU (8-0, 6-0 MIAC) to start the game, St. Olaf's Leon Clark fumbled the Oles' first offensive play from scrimmage and the Johnnies took over on the STO 44.
Junior running back Jakob Reding (Eden Prairie, Minn.) scored from one yard out to cap an eight-play, 44-yard scoring drive to give SJU an early 7-0 lead.
The Oles (3-4, 1-4 MIAC) cut the deficit to 7-3 thanks to a 47-yard field goal from Josiah Powell on their very next possession. The kick completed a 12-play, 43-yard drive.
Junior quarterback Joe Boyle (Richfield, Minn./Holy Angels) re-aggravated a hand injury and left the game on the Johnnies' next possession.
Both teams exchanged punts throughout the rest of the first half until the Oles took over on their own 27 with 1:34 remaining. Clark sprinted to the outside for a 58-yard gain on first down. Consecutive completions by Clay Garrett set up a first-and-goal on the SJU five-yard line with 13 seconds left in the first half. SJU sophomore Mike Bonynge (Spicer, Minn./New London-Spicer) jumped in front of Garrett's pass and returned it 66 yards to the Oles' 34 with 0.9 seconds left on the clock. Senior Russell Gliadon (Fridley, Minn.) then booted a school-record 52-yard field goal to make it 10-3 at the half.
SJU ended the first half with zero yards passing (0-for-5). The last time Gagliardi's squad was held without a completed pass was during the second half of the Johnnies' 21-0 win at Concordia-Moorhead on Oct. 17, 1998.
The Johnnies moved 42 yards on its first offensive series of the second half, but Gliadon's 42-yard field-goal attempt went wide left.
Ball control continued to dominate the game in the second half as the two teams combined for seven punts and two fumbles.
St. Olaf mounted its last threat to tie the game late in the fourth quarter. The Oles chipped their way down to the SJU 20 with nine seconds remaining before senior Jeff Bohlman (Sartell, Minn./Sartell-St. Stephen) sacked Garrett to end the game.
Freshman John Ries (Plymouth, Minn./Wayzata) ended the afternoon five of nine passing for 40 yards in relief of Boyle. Senior Kellen Blaser (Austin, Minn./Pacelli) led the ground game with 71 yards on 17 carries, while Reding and freshman Stephen Johnson (Mahtomedi, Minn.) totaled 44 yards each. Senior linebacker Ryan Wimmer (St. Cloud, Minn./Cathedral) led the Johnnies defensively with seven tackles (five solo) and added the first-quarter fumble recovery.
Garrett ended the day 19 of 29 passing for 105 yards in his first career start. Clark finished with 197 all-purpose yards, including 125 yards on 17 carries. Adam Concannon and Eric Werdahl posted 12 tackles apiece. Patrick Luevano added 10 stops (eight solo), including three tackles for loss and a sack.
SJU held a 35:22-24:38 advantage in time of possession. The Oles entered today's game leading the MIAC in time of possession (35:36).
Both teams combined to convert just eight of the 28 third downs in the game. The contest itself last only two hours and 25 minutes.
With the win, Gagliardi improved his career record to 469-125-11 (.784) in 61 seasons overall and 445-119-10 (.784) in 57 seasons at SJU.
The Johnnies are idle next weekend and return to action Saturday, Nov. 7, against Augsburg. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. at the H.H.H. Metrodome in Minneapolis.
