Box Score

COLLEGEVILLE, Minn. – It was a beautiful afternoon in Collegeville, for both Homecoming and the MIAC opener, as No. 8 Saint John's posted a 44-0 shutout of St. Olaf in front of an announced crowd of 10,347 fans on Saturday, Sept. 17.

Freshman quarterback Jackson Erdmann (Rosemount, Minn.) ended the day nine of 14 passing for 158 yards and four touchdowns in a quarter and a half of play. He found senior wide receiver Evan Clark (Phoenix, Ariz./Apollo) for a 28-yard strike, his sixth receiving touchdown of the young season, on the game's second play from scrimmage. He then connected with senior wide receiver Dan Harrington (Frisco, Texas/Wakeland) for an acrobatic 16-yard touchdown pass in the back of the end zone and hit junior Matt Miller (Annandale, Minn.) in stride for a 78-yard score, his third touchdown pass of the first quarter.



SJU (3-0, 1-0 MIAC) added three more touchdowns in the second quarter, starting with an 11-yard sprint from sophomore running back Adam Essler (New London, Minn./New London-Spicer) 54 seconds into the frame. Sophomore Robbie Skiba (Pierz, Minn.), a new transition from running back to linebacker this week, blocked an STO punt in the end zone where it was recovered by junior safety Joe Robel (Blaine, Minn.).

Erdmann hit senior running back Zack Sundly (Harris, Minn./North Branch) for a four-yard score halfway through the second quarter as SJU took a 41-0 lead into halftime.

Senior kicker Alexi Johnson (Shakopee, Minn.) ended the scoring with a 37-yard field goal at the 9:17 mark of the third quarter. The kick enabled him to tie Jimmie Mattson (2010-12) for second in SJU history.

The Johnnies forced five turnovers, out-gained the Oles (1-2, 0-1 MIAC) by a 406-88 margin and held the visitors to 14 of 28 passing for 61 yards and three interceptions in the contest. St. Olaf entered the game with the MIAC's top passing offense at just over 354 yards per game.

Sophomore safety Jake Engelken (Maple Grove, Minn.) led the SJU defense with five tackles (three solo) and a fumble recovery. Sophomore defensive lineman Nathan Brinker (Avon, Minn./Holdingford) collected 1.5 sacks. Sophomore defensive back Max Jackson (St. Paul, Minn./Cretin-Derham Hall) returned the opening kickoff for 31 yards, totaled 60 yards on two punt returns and intercepted a pass on the opening drive of the second half.

The reigning MIAC Offensive Player of the Week and the Oles' top receiver (17 catches for 180 yards and four touchdowns), Jorgen Sarveson, was held without a catch.

SJU is now 67-20-2 (.764) in 89 known Homecoming games and 64-24-7 (.711) in its conference opener, including a 31-10-4 (.733) record in Collegeville.

The Johnnies play host to No. 4 St. Thomas (3-0, 1-0 MIAC) for a 1 p.m. kickoff next Saturday, Sept. 24, in Collegeville.