The Saint John's University football team opens its 2010 season at home against Northwestern this Saturday, Sept. 4. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at Clemens Stadium in Collegeville. - Listen Live (WBHR-660 AM, KOWZ-1170 AM, WLOL-1330 AM) | Live Stats | Game Notes (Pdf) | Northwestern Football
Preview Videos:
-Offensive coordinator Jim Gagliardi (4:29)
-Defensive coordinator Jerry Haugen (3:11)
-Senior quarterback Joe Boyle (0:44)
-Senior linebacker John Stanton (0:20)
SEASON PREVIEW
The 2010 Saint John's University football team is expected to rely on the experience of its offense and the tradition of its defense in the hopes of achieving its third consecutive MIAC championship and 25th postseason appearance.
With its starting quarterback, running backs and nearly entire offensive line returning, SJU should make frequent trips deep into the red zone to bolster that defense, which led the MIAC and finished 11th in all of NCAA Division III in total defense.
Legendary head coach John Gagliardi enters his record-62nd season overall and 58th season at SJU as the winningest coach in college football history with a 471-126-11 (.784) career record and a 447-120-10 (.783) mark with the Johnnies.
SJU finished with a perfect regular season (10-0 overall, 8-0 MIAC) to win its record 31st MIAC championship, before suffering a 34-27 loss to Coe (Iowa) in the first round of the NCAA Division III playoffs; its first, first-round exit at home since 1977. The 2009 season marked the Johnnies' 23rd straight winning season and 42nd consecutive season without a losing record. SJU has achieved 10 or more wins in 10 of the last 12 seasons, won 14 MIAC titles in the last 19 years, and made 14 NCAA playoff appearances in the last 17 years.
Offense
Within the MIAC (conference games only), Saint John's ranked second in both scoring offense (28.6 ppg.) and rushing offense (186 ypg.). The Johnnies' 188.1 rushing yards per game ranked 46th nationally in 2009. SJU expects to return seven starters and numerous key contributors this season, including one All-MIAC first-team selection and four second-team selections.
Quarterback
Senior Joe Boyle (6-1, 195; Richfield, Minn./Holy Angels) returns for the Johnnies following an All-MIAC season in 2009. He started nine games and completed 114 of 206 passes (55.3 pct.) for 1,461 yards and 16 touchdowns. A versatile rushing threat, Boyle added 285 yards and four scores on the ground. Sophomore John Ries (6-2, 190; Plymouth, Minn./Wayzata) threw for 250 yards and two touchdowns in four appearances, including two starts, as a freshman last fall. Senior Andrew Hengel (6-1, 195; Bemidji, Minn.) and sophomore Scott Ramey (6-1, 210; Baxter, Minn./Brainerd) are expected to provide depth at quarterback.
Running Back
SJU averaged 191.1 yards rushing in 10 regular-season games last fall, the highest total per game since 1998 (193.0). Five different Johnnies scored a rushing touchdown in a single game, twice, last fall.
Saint John's returns 81 percent of its 2,046 rushing yards from a year ago, including leading rusher Jakob Reding (6-1, 225; Eden Prairie, Minn.). The senior led SJU in both rushing (682) and all-purpose (874) yards, and added five touchdowns on the ground in '09. Senior Bryan Virnig (6-3, 205; Pierz, Minn.) and sophomores Harry Awe (5-9, 195; St. Paul, Minn./Minnehaha Academy) and Stephen Johnson (6-0, 195; Mahtomedi, Minn.) also return. Johnson ended the 2009 season on a tear, rushing for over 100 yards in each of his last two games. Overall, he rushed 124 times for 582 yards and four scores, while Awe totaled 205 yards of offense (132 rushing, 73 receiving). Junior Jimmy Loonan (5-10, 195; Waseca, Minn.) totaled 323 all-purpose yards (88 rushing, 62 receiving,173 kick return) last season, but moved to the defensive secondary this August. Freshman Nick Schneider (6-0, 225; Rockville, Minn./Rocori) returns after suffering a season-ending knee injury in the season's second game last fall. The promising back amassed 71 yards on eight touches before succumbing to injury.
The Johnnies need to replace their leading scorer from 2009, Kellen Blaser, who gained 394 yards on 82 carries and scored five touchdowns. He also caught 13 passes for 151 yards and three touchdowns.
Wide Receiver
The Johnnies need to replace its deep threat in Ben Vanderheyden, who made 20 receptions for 353 yards and four touchdowns in 11 starts. He ended his career with an average of 17 yards on 94 receptions. To do that, Gagliardi will turn to junior Sam Pederson (6-0, 185; La Crosse, Wis./Aquinas), who caught 13 passes for 164 yards and a touchdown last fall. He also rushed six times for 45 yards, including a 37 yard touchdown run against Wisconsin-Eau Claire on Sept. 12. Junior Andrew Rotschafer (6-1, 180; Eden Prairie, Minn.), a contributor at wideout last season, moved over to the defensive secondary this August. He made 10 receptions for 158 yards and two touchdowns.
Juniors Brent Graboski (6-4, 185; Woodbury, Minn.) and Mitch Bidleman (6-3, 195; St. Joseph, Minn./St. Cloud Apollo), as well as freshman Brayde Lipp (5-9, 190; Sartell, Minn./Sartell-St. Stephen), a transfer from NCAA Division II Nebraska-Omaha, are also expected to compete for playing time.
Tight End
SJU returns both speed and size at the tight end position in the combination of senior Josh Overman (6-2, 220; Albany, Minn.) and junior Wade Powers (6-5, 230; Hawick, Minn./New London-Spicer). Last season, the multitalented Overman led the Johnnies in receptions (33), receiving yards (479) and receiving touchdowns (5). Powers caught two passes for 35 yards in six games.
Offensive Line
The Johnnies return an experienced corps of offensive lineman, losing just two to graduation, Blaine Anderson and Drew Percival. Anderson was named to the All-MIAC first team and D3football.com All-West Region third team in 2009.
Senior Tim Juba (6-2, 295; Cottage Grove, Minn./Park) is back for his third year at center. Fellow senior Jeff Gilbertson (6-5, 280; Wabasha, Minn./Winona Cotter) at left tackle and junior Eric Dirkes (6-3, 320; Avon, Minn./Albany) at right guard return for an offense that averaged 186 rushing yards per game in 2009. Gilbertson and Juba both earned All-MIAC second-team honors last fall.
Senior Matt Detloff (6-4, 255; Robbinsdale, Minn./DeLaSalle), juniors Andrew Ghostley (6-1, 275; Champlin, Minn./Champlin Park) and Jimmy Stodolka (6-2, 280; Mendota Heights, Minn./St. Thomas Academy), and sophomore Joe Pesch (Eden Prairie, Minn.) are the leading candidates to fill the gaps left by Anderson and Percival.
A pair of freshman NCAA Division II transfers, Jack Hedlund (6-3, 280; St. Cloud, Minn./Tech) from St. Cloud State and Pete Schwarz (6-4, 285; New Ulm, Minn./Cathedral) from Southwest Minnesota State, are also expected to contend for snaps on the offensive line in 2010.
Defense
The Johnnies have big shoes to fill on defense in 2010, coming off an outstanding season in which they finished 11th nationally in total defense (254.7 ypg.), 18th in sacks (3.0 spg.) and 23rd in both run (87.6 ypg.) and scoring defense (16.0 ppg.). SJU led the MIAC (conference games only) in both total defense (224.0 ypg.) and scoring defense (11.4 ppg.) for the third consecutive season in '09. SJU has now finished in the top two of the MIAC in defense nine of the last 10 seasons, including league-best seven times. Even better, defensive coordinator Jerry Haugen's crew has been in the top two in scoring defense each of the past 14 seasons, including league-best 11 times.SJU expects to return five starters and a number of experienced players this season, including an All-American and All-MIAC second-team selection.
Defensive Line
The Johnnies can attribute much of their defensive success to their linemen from a year ago. SJU needs to replace interior linemen Nick Gunderson and Noel Meyer. Gunderson was a two-time All-American before struggling with injuries his final two seasons. Meyer was named to the All-MIAC second team after posting 29 tackles (12 solo) and five sacks last season.
The defensive line will be led by fifth-year senior All-American Kyle Schroeder (6-1, 230; Richmond, Minn./Rocori). Schroeder started all 11 games for the Johnnies and posted 41 tackles (26 solo) and eight sacks. He led the MIAC with 16.5 tackles for loss and also tallied four quarterback hurries, three forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries.
Seniors David Burns (6-3, 225; Fargo, N.D./Shanley) and Griffin Hayes (6-2, 235; Mendota Heights, Minn./St. Thomas Academy) are back after seeing significant playing time last fall. Hayes tallied 28 tackles (14 solo) and five sacks in 11 starts, while Burns made 13 solo tackles and added three sacks.
In addition to blocking kicks on special teams, junior Jack Daggett (6-7, 230; Hutchinson, Minn.) will compete for playing time, as will fellow juniors Mark Kuhl (6-1, 220; Dubuque, Iowa/Wahlert) and Cody Socher (6-3, 260; Delano, Minn.).
Linebacker
The 2010 Johnnie linebackers are headlined by senior John Stanton (6-1, 210; San Rafael, Calif./Marin Catholic), who led the team with 76 (51 solo) tackles in 11 starts. He also intercepted two passes, forced two fumbles and added a sack.
Expect senior Billy Lawrence (6-4, 255; Edina, Minn./St. Thomas Academy) and juniors Evan Cobb (6-1, 220; Becker, Minn.), Jon Engholm (6-0, 215; Bloomington, Minn./Jefferson), Luke Sweeter (5-11, 210; Sartell, Minn./Sartell-St. Stephen) and Nick Zweber (5-10, 215; Elko, Minn./New Prague) to add depth to the linebacker corps. Lawrence led the Johnnies with three interceptions in three games last season, while Cobb tallied 22 tackles (13 solo) in relief of Ethan Eid. Additionally, the Johnnies expect sophomores John Gans (6-1, 205; Rice, Minn./Sauk Rapids-Rice) and Jake King (Mounds View, Minn./Totino Grace), a transfer from NCAA Division II Augustana (S.D.), to make an immediate impact in 2010.
Saint John's lost two experienced seniors to graduation in Eid and All-American Ryan Wimmer. Wimmer was a three-time All-MIAC selection and was named to the 2009 American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) All-America team. He finished second on the team with 62 tackles (38 solo), including 8.5 tackles for loss, last fall. Eid made 21 tackles (15 solo) and three sacks while playing the majority of the season with a torn labrum. He also returned an interception 59 yards for a touchdown, the second of his career, against Carleton on Nov. 14.
Secondary
Saint John's will need to replace three starters from a year ago in seniors Nate Anderson, Dominic Haik and Bobby Klint. Klint was a 2009 All-MIAC first-team selection after finishing third on the team with 58 tackles (43 solo). Haik was named to the 2009 All-MIAC second team and tallied 38 tackles (26 solo) with two interceptions and a forced fumble. Anderson, meanwhile, made 29 tackles (22 solo).
SJU, however, has the luxury of replacing them with a pair of seasoned sophomores and a number of others that saw time or return from injury. Sophomore Alex Powell (5-9, 160; Hopkins, Minn.) returns after seeing significant playing time last season. He made 19 tackles (12 solo) and broke up eight passes with an interception in 11 games. Sophomore Mike Bonynge (Spicer, Minn./New London-Spicer) also played in all 11 games, the first few as a wide receiver, but developed into a lockdown cornerback as the season unfolded. He posted 29 tackles (24 solo), four passes defended, two fumble recoveries and a vital interception in the 10-3 win over St. Olaf on Oct. 24.
Sophomores Ian Goldsmith (Shoreview, Minn./Mounds View), Lukas Inveiss (Sartell, Minn./Sartell-St. Stephen) and Kevin Wenner (St. Cloud, Minn./Cathedral), who all saw playing time in an injury-plagued secondary last fall, also return. In addition, senior Justin Nilson (St. Cloud, Minn./Tech) and sophomore Adam Weber (Glenwood, Minn./Minnewaska Area) also return after suffering season-ending knee injuries early last season.
Junior Aaron Stolte (5-11, 190; North St. Paul, Minn.) and sophomore Bobby Fischer (5-11, 175; Plymouth, Minn./Osseo) will also contend for playing time in the secondary this fall.
Special Teams
The Johnnies need to replace two-time All-MIAC first-team selection kicker/punter Russell Gliadon, whose incredible 49-yard field goal sealed a victory over Bethel with three seconds left in regulation on Homecoming Day. He then kicked a school-record 52-yard field goal against St. Olaf three weeks later.
Sophomore Jimmie Mattson (6-1, 210; Eau Claire, Wis./Memorial), a transfer from NCAA Division II MSU-Moorhead, is expected to compete for the starting job. He led the Dragons with 34 points and made seven of 12 field goals, including a long of 47 yards, as a freshman last fall.
Ramey, who saw playing time as a quarterback last season, was an All-State punter in high school and will compete for those duties this fall.
The Johnnies are expected to return everyone from last season's return game. On punts, Wenner is back after averaging five yards on 26 punt returns last season. Fischer and Lipp are expected to be in the mix as well.
Awe and Loonan are back after averaging 20.3 and 21.6 yards, respectively, on kick returns. In addition to Lipp and Virnig, freshman Joe Johnson (5-10, 150; Breckenridge, Minn.) could also return kicks this fall.
