Box Score | Listen to Archived Game
Post-Game Interviews:
-Senior linebacker Billy Lawrence (0:22)
-Freshman running back Nick Schneider (0:19)
-Senior linebacker John Stanton (0:17)
COLLEGEVILLE, Minn. – Saint John's University Nick Schneider (Rockville, Minn./Rocori) rushed for 179 yards and three touchdowns on 14 carries (12.8 avg.), including 119 yards on nine carries in the second half, as the host Johnnies defeated Gustavus Adolphus 33-13 on Saturday, Oct. 23.
The 179 yards is a school record for a freshman at SJU (141 yards by Marty Cella at St. Cloud State, Sept. 16, 1972).
The victory is the 475th win of SJU head coach John Gagliardi's 62-season career (475-129-11 record).
The Johnnies took the opening kickoff and marched 64 yards on eight plays, ending on a 10-yard touchdown run by senior Jakob Reding (Eden Prairie, Minn.). The extra point went wide left.
Following a three-and-out by the Gusties on their first possession, SJU (4-3, 3-2 MIAC) took a 13-0 lead on a 12-yard touchdown pass from senior Joe Boyle (Richfield, Minn./Holy Angels) to junior Brent Graboski (Woodbury, Minn.). The pass, which somehow ended up in Graboski's arms after deflecting off two Gusties, ended a seven-play, 70-yard drive. The Johnnies outgained GAC 169-14 in the first quarter.
A sack and fumble of Boyle gave GAC prime opportunity to crack the scoreboard as the Gusties took over on the Johnnies' three-yard line with 4:02 left in the first quarter. After a two-yard gain on first down, GAC had four plays inside the one-yard line (thanks to an SJU offside penalty) but did not score.
The Gusties cut the deficit to 13-7 on a 24-yard touchdown pass from Logan Becker to Andre Creighton with three minutes left in the first half. SJU outgained the Gusties 307-102 (177-54 rushing) in the first half, but was held to 13 points thanks to three turnovers and five penalties.
An interception by senior John Stanton (San Rafael, Calif./Marin Catholic), his third of the season, set up the Johnnies' next score. On the second play of the ensuing drive, Schneider blasted through the hole for a 44-yard touchdown run with 7:22 left in the third quarter.
He added another touchdown run, this time from 32 yards out, on SJU's next drive to give the home team a 26-7 lead.
Becker hooked up with Cody Sukalski for his second passing touchdown of the game, from 27 yards out, to make the score 26-13 in favor of SJU. Senior Billy Lawrence (Edina, Minn./St. Thomas Academy) blocked the extra-point attempt.
Senior Griffin Hayes (Mendota Heights, Minn./St. Thomas Academy) forced a GAC fumble on the visitors' next offensive possession and gave the ball back to SJU on the Gusties' 39. Four plays later, Schneider went over from 10 yards out to end the scoring.
Boyle was 13 of 19 passing for 139 yards and added 29 more yards with his feet. In addition to Schneider, Reding added 67 yards on 11 carries and sophomore Stephen Johnson (Mahtomedi, Minn.) totaled 53 on 10 attempts. Graboski led the Johnnies' air attack with seven receptions for 84 yards. Defensively, Hayes and sophomore Alex Powell (Hopkins, Minn.) tallied seven tackles each. Seniors David Burns (Fargo, N.D./Shanley) and Kyle Schroeder (Richmond, Minn./Rocori) added a sack each, and junior Evan Cobb (Becker, Minn.) posted a forced fumble.
Becker was 10 of 24 passing for 112 yards. He also added 20 yards on 14 carries. Jeffrey Dubose recorded 94 yards on 26 carries. Sukalski was Becker's favorite target, catching five passes for 70 yards.
The Johnnies outgained GAC 507-225 in the game, including a 368-113 advantage on the ground. SJU has now won 23 of the last 24 meetings with Gustavus, including 10 of the last 11 in Collegeville.
SJU travels to face Carleton next Saturday, Oct. 30. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Laird Stadium in Northfield.
