Box Score

Post-Game Interviews:
-Martin & Sura (0:29)

COLLEGEVILLE, Minn. – No. 23 Saint John's snapped a rare Homecoming skid with a 49-28 win over Hamline on Saturday, Oct. 4, in Collegeville.

The Johnnies (4-1, 2-1 MIAC) ended a four-game losing streak on Homecoming Day in convincing fashion by scoring touchdowns on six of their first seven offensive possessions. An 87-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by sophomore Evan Clark (Phoenix, Ariz./Apollo) gave SJU a 49-14 lead at halftime.

Junior running back Sam Sura (South St. Paul, Minn.) entered the game averaging 122 rushing yards in the first half of games this season and followed his own formula for success, finishing with 123 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries (7.7 avg.) at halftime. He also caught two passes for 49 yards and another touchdown.

Junior quarterback Nick Martin (Plymouth, Minn./Wayzata) ended the afternoon six of eight passing for 121 yards and three touchdowns in less than two quarters of play. In addition to the 26-yard score to Sura, Martin also connected with sophomore wide receiver Dan Harrington (Frisco, Texas/Wakeland) for a 49-yard strike and with senior tight end J.T. Ford (Stevens Point, Wis.) from 12 yards out. Ford also caught a 29-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Johnny Benson (Becker, Minn.) in the second quarter.

Hamline ended the scoring for both teams with a pair of touchdown passes of 50 yards or more in the third quarter.

The Pipers' Austin Duncan entered the game needing 82 yards to become the school's all-time leading rusher and finished with 135 yards on 30 carries.

Sophomore punter Griffin Toomey (Anchorage, Alaska/South) averaged 40.1 yards on seven punts, including five that were dropped inside HU's 20-yard line.

Junior cornerback Trevor Warner (Murrieta, Calif./Vista Murrieta) recorded his second interception of the season, and sixth of his career, while sophomore cornerback Jeremy Piper (La Place, La./East St. John) squashed a Piper threat with his first collegiate interception on SJU's three-yard line. His 42-yard return helped set up the Johnnies' fifth touchdown of the day (and a 35-0 lead).

The Johnnies return to action in two weeks on Saturday, Oct. 18, at Gustavus Adolphus. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at Hollingsworth Field in St. Peter.