Box Score | Listen to Archived Game
ST. PAUL, Minn. – Saint John's took advantage of big plays in a 55-10 win at Hamline on Saturday, Nov. 3, in St. Paul.
The Johnnies (5-4, 3-4 MIAC) totaled seven offensive plays of 20 yards or more and posted stark statistical advantages over the Pipers (1-8, 0-8 MIAC) in both total offense (434-157) and first downs (22-9) in the game. The SJU defense, meanwhile, intercepted four passes, blocked a punt and held HU to four-of-15 showing (26.7 percent) on third down.
SJU led 24-3 at the half by outgaining the Pipers 234-50, but committed three turnovers.
The freshman connection of Nick Martin (Plymouth, Minn./Wayzata) to Josh Bungum (Paynesville, Minn.) produced SJU's first points of the game. The two connected for a 24-yard gain on third-and-17 before hooking up for a 30-yard touchdown pass two plays later.
A muffed punt return by the Johnnies gave the ball back to Hamline on the SJU 13 but the Pipers were held to a 38-yard field goal.
A pair of three-yard touchdown runs from junior Jake Essler (New London, Minn./New London-Spicer) increased the Johnnies' lead to 21-3 before senior Jimmie Mattson (Eau Claire, Wis./Memorial) closed the first half with a 20-yard field goal.
Senior John Gans (Rice, Minn./Sauk Rapids-Rice) blocked a punt on the opening possession of the second half but SJU settled for a 32-yard field goal from Mattson.
Junior Connor Bruns (Baltimore, Md./Loyola Blakefield) hit sophomore Rob Voshell (Sartell, Minn./Sartell-St. Stephen) for a 43-yard touchdown pass and sophomore Andrew Rose returned an interception for a 35-yard touchdown on Hamline's ensuing possession.
Another interception, the second of the day from senior Bobby Fischer (Plymouth, Minn./Osseo), gave the ball back to SJU on its own 38-yard line. Senior Harry Awe (St. Paul, Minn./Minnehaha Academy) made it 48-3 with a one-yard touchdown plunge, capping a nine-play, 62-yard scoring drive early in the fourth quarter. Fischer now has five interceptions in his last two games against the Pipers.
Hamline took advantage of another fumbled punt return by SJU with a one-yard touchdown run from Ryan Ferkinhoff.
Freshman Sam Sura (South St. Paul, Minn.) ended the scoring for both teams with a one-yard touchdown run.
Martin finished with 54 yards passing and four yards rushing before leaving the game due to injury halfway through the second quarter. Bruns ended the day 10 of 17 passing for 145 yards in his first action since dislocating his throwing shoulder Sept. 22. Senior Stephen Johnson (Mahtomedi, Minn.) led the SJU ground game with 63 yards on 12 carries, while Awe added 51 yards on eight attempts. Voshell finished with 76 yards on five catches.
Senior Taylor Dammermann (Spicer, Minn./New London-Spicer) led the Johnnies with eight tackles (three solo), while seniors Joe Donner (Delafield, Wis./Kettle Moraine) and Jake King (Mounds View, Minn./Totino-Grace) each added a quarterback sack.
Austin Duncan led HU with 71 yards on 16 carries. Three Piper quarterbacks combined for 47 yards and four interceptions on three of nine passing.
With the win, SJU head coach John Gagliardi improves to 489-137-11 (.776) overall and 465-131-10 (.776) in 60 seasons at SJU.
The Johnnies wrap up their 2012 season at Bethel next Saturday, Nov. 10. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Royal Stadium in Arden Hills.
