A REAL LIFESAVER:
SJU RUNNING BACK CADEN WHEELER AND HIS FAMILY WERE HONORED AFTER RESCUING AN UNCONSCIOUS MAN FROM SWIMMING POOL IN 2024
PAGE 8 vs. ST. OLAF SATURDAY, NOV. 15, NOON
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game preview
TODAY’S MATCHUP
Saint Johnʼs became the second college football program in Minnesota and the 56th at any level of college football to reach 700 wins with a 70-21 victory over St. Scholastica last Saturday (Nov. 8) in Collegeville. The Johnnies rolled to a 550-228 advantage in total offense, including a 363-43 margin in the first half before the home team pulled its starters. Junior quarterback Trey Feeney finished 22 of 30 passing for 294 yards and five touchdowns, three of which went to junior wideout Riley Schwellenbach in the second quarter. Schwellenbach caught six passes for 81 yards. Senior defensive lineman Zach Frank posted two sacks and is now tied with Nathan Brinker ʼ19 for fifth in program history with 27. Frank leads the MIAC with 11.5 sacks and is second with 14.5 tackles for loss this season.
Crosby was an efficient 12 of 15 passing for 179 yards and two touchdowns through the air, while also rushing for a score. Sophomore kicker Ethan Hess connected on field goals of 31 and 44 yards to improve to 14-for-17 on the season and break the Olesʼ single-season record of made field goals set by Haakon Nelson in 1999 with 13.
SERIES HISTORY
St. Olaf, meanwhile, came out on top in a high-scoring, 41-34 win over Hamline last Saturday in Northfield. Sophomore running back Landon Dillon rushed for a career-high 228 yards on 43 carries for STO, which racked up 467 yards of offense. Hamline gained 403 yards of offense and averaged 7.3 yards per play. In addition to Dillonʼs big day on the ground, junior quarterback Luke
Todayʼs game is the 64th meeting between Saint Johnʼs and St. Olaf on the football field. The Johnnies are 48-14-1 all-time against the Oles, including a 24-8 record here in Collegeville and a 32-5 record overall since 1986. All five SJU losses since 1986 were decided by three points or less. The Johnnies have outscored STO by a 526-70 margin over the last 11 meetings since their 38-35 loss on Sept. 29, 2012.
ROAD TO 700
The Johnnies’ 2014 NCAA Division III playoff win over St. Scholastica enabled SJU to become the second college football program in Minnesota to reach 600 all-time victories. SJU began the 2025 season 49 wins shy of Division I Minnesota, despite playing 28 fewer seasons.
Most Wins in MN College Football History (as of 11/8/25)
School
1. Minnesota 747 51 44 .573
2. Saint John’s 700 259 24 .724
3. St. Thomas 657 366 32 .637
4.
5. Concordia 565 330 38 .627
6. Gustavus 539 382 21 .583
7. MSU-Mankato 525 405 27 .562
8. Carleton 513 508 25 .502
9. St. Olaf
10.
TWIN TARGETS
Senior wide receiver Dylan Wheeler and senior tight end Joey Gendreau entered last Saturdayʼs game vs. St. Scholastica with a tie for the team lead in receiving yards with 768. The tandem each caught a first half touchdown vs. the Saints – Wheeler a 14-yard catch-and-run and Gendreau a 10-yard push to the end zone. Gendreau finished the game as the teamʼs receiving leader – which would traditionally separate him from Wheeler in the stat report – but his classmate was just behind him, catching the same number of passes (8) for just 1 less yard (97 vs. 96). The duo accounts for 52.5 percent (132) of the Johnniesʼ total receptions, 52.4 percent (1,729) of the teamʼs total receiving yards and 60 percent (21) of SJUʼs total touchdowns.
Johnnies
SCHWELLENBACH
N T H E F I E L D
CHAMPIONS
I N L O G I S T I C S
Around the
9/6 at Concordia-Chicago L, 16-17
9/13 at Saint John’s L, 0-49
9/20 at Crown L, 20-30
10/4 MARTIN LUTHER W, 30-27
10/11 at Westminster (Mo.) W, 30-27
10/18 NORTHWESTERN L, 3-21
10/25 at Greenville (Ind.) L, 20-27
11/1 CROWN L, 15-34
11/8 WESTMINSTER (MO.) W, 14-7
11/15 at Martin Luther 1 p.m.
9/6 CROWN W, 28-21
9/20 SAINT JOHN’S L, 0-59
9/27 BETHEL L, 12-62
10/4 at Macalester L, 0-29
10/11 CONCORDIA L, 12-58
10/18 at Carleton L, 14-63
10/25 GUSTAVUS ADOLPHUS L, 9-63
11/1 at St. Scholastica L, 18-49
11/8 at St. Olaf L, 34-41 11/14 at Augsburg 7:30 p.m.
9/13 NORTHWESTERN W, 50-3
9/20 at Gustavus Adolphus W, 41-7
9/27 at Hamline W, 62-12
10/4 SAINT JOHN’S W, 17-10
10/11 at Augsburg W, 56-7
10/18 ST. OLAF W, 64-10
10/25 MACALESTER W, 53-0
11/1 at Concordia W, 55-9
11/8 CARLETON W, 49-7
11/15 at St. Scholastica 1 p.m.
9/6 at Grinnell W, 20-15
9/20 at Carleton L, 7-51
9/27 at St. Scholastica L, 34-37 (2OT)
10/4 HAMLINE W, 29-0
10/11 at Saint John’s L, 0-70
10/18 AUGSBURG L, 21-32
10/25 at Bethel L, 0-53
11/1 ST. OLAF W, 27-6
11/8 CONCORDIA L, 14-17 11/15 at Gustavus Adolphus 12 p.m.
9/6 at Valley City State L, 0-27
9/20 at St. Scholastica W, 30-23
9/27 at Saint John’s L, 0-63
10/4 ST. OLAF W, 44-13
10/11 BETHEL L, 7-56
10/18 at Macalester W, 32-21
10/25 CONCORDIA L, 7-26
11/1 at Carleton L, 17-48
11/8 GUSTAVUS ADOLPHUS L, 10-31 11/14 HAMLINE 7:30 p.m.
9/6 MAYVILLE STATE W, 17-6
9/20 at St. Olaf L, 16-17
9/27 GUSTAVUS ADOLPHUS W, 14-13
10/4 ST. SCHOLASTICA W, 49-21
10/11 at Hamline W, 58-12
10/18 SAINT JOHN’S L, 6-41
10/25 at Augsburg W, 26-7
11/1 BETHEL L, 9-55
11/8 at Macalester W, 17-14
11/15 at Carleton 12 p.m.
9/6 at Wisconsin-Lutheran W, 41-27
9/6 at Whitworth L, 10-23
9/6 at UW-Whitewater L, 14-45
9/20 MACALESTER W, 51-7
9/27 ST. OLAF W, 35-28
10/4 at Gustavus Adolphus W, 45-28
10/11 at St. Scholastica W, 41-14
10/18 HAMLINE W, 63-14
10/25 at Saint John’s L, 10-49
11/1 AUGSBURG W, 48-17
11/8 at Bethel L, 7-49
11/15 CONCORDIA 12 p.m.
9/20 BETHEL L, 7-41
9/27 at Concordia L, 13-14
10/4 CARLETON L, 28-45
10/11 at St. Olaf W, 35-21
10/18 ST. SCHOLASTICA W, 45-6
10/25 at Hamline W, 63-9
11/1 SAINT JOHN’S L, 13-31
11/18 at Augsburg W, 31-10 11/15 MACALESTER 12 p.m.
9/20 AUGSBURG L, 23-30
9/27 MACALESTER W, 37-34 (2OT)
10/4 at Concordia L, 21-49
10/11 CARLETON L, 14-41
10/18 at Gustavus Adolphus L, 6-45
10/25 at St. Olaf L, 41-44
11/1 HAMLINE W, 49-18
11/8 at Saint John’s L, 21-70 11/15 BETHEL 1 p.m.
9/6 NORTHWESTERN W, 32-7
9/20 CONCORDIA W, 17-16
9/27 at Carleton L, 28-35
10/4 at Augsburg L, 13-44
10/11 GUSTAVUS ADOLPHUS L, 21-35
10/18 at Bethel L, 10-64
10/25 ST. SCHOLASTICA W, 44-41
11/1 at Macalester L, 6-27
11/8 HAMLINE W, 41-34 11/15 at Saint John’s 12 p.m.
senior spotlight
96
6-4 245 DL
MULLEN (COLORADO) HIGH SCHOOL
What were the reasons you chose to come to Saint John’s?
I wanted to go out of state for school to see what it’s like living in another place, and I loved the campus upon arrival.
What is your major and why did you pick it?
Accounting and finance. I’ve always been interested in numbers, and my father majored in accounting as well.
What – if any – music is part of your pre-game ritual and why?
House music is blasting in my headphones to get my mind off everything but the game.
CALEB THOM
6-2 230 DL
TOTINO-GRACE HIGH SCHOOL
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced as an athlete and how did you overcome it?
Finding my role on the team was the biggest challenge I had early on. Meeting with my coaches helped me find my spot.
What teammate would you most want riding shotgun on a cross-country road trip and why?
(Senior defensive lineman and Colorado native) Jack Krza so I can make fun of the Broncos and Bo Nix.
If you could have any meal for dinner tonight, what would it be and why?
Chipotle. It’s my favorite food.
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22 JACK CHARLIE KRZA RYKS
What is your best memory from your time on campus – in football or otherwise?
The early morning running in the dome and early morning workouts in the spring with the guys.
What is your favorite place on campus and why?
The (Abbey Guest House) patio overlooking (Lake Sagatagan). It’s my favorite place because of the beautiful view and how peaceful it is – making it a great place for doing homework.
Cats or dogs and how come?
Dogs. They are always willing to play with you and they are more excited to see you than a cat.
KRZA
RYKS
The numbers Dylan Wheeler and Riley Schwellenbach have put up are impressive enough on their own.
But they’re even more so when you consider that neither of the Johnnie wide receivers played football for much of their junior high and high school careers.
Wheeler, a 6-foot-2, 192-pound senior All-American from Mounds View High School, has 218 career catches for 2,871 yards and 44 touchdowns.
Meanwhile, Schwellenbach, a 5-9, 160-pound junior from East Ridge High School, has also emerged as a key part of the SJU passing game, amassing well over 500 yards receiving in each of the past two seasons.
Yet after playing football as a seventh grader, Wheeler walked away, focusing on basketball – a sport in which he drew extensive college recruiting interest. He didn’t return to football until his senior season, then
BY FRANK RAJKOWSKI
enjoyed it so much, he decided to focus on football exclusively at the college level.
Schwellenbach – who also plays baseball at SJU – played football at the youth level but didn’t return until his junior year in high school.
“Receiver is one position where athleticism can take you a long way,” Wheeler said. “But even so, there was a lot I still had to figure out. I was pretty raw even coming into Saint John’s. (Johnnie offensive coordinator) Kole (Heckendorf) did a great job of bringing me along and providing the foundation I needed to succeed here.”
“You can watch a lot of football, but until you’re actually playing, there’s a lot you don’t understand,” Schwellenbach added. “It took some time to pick up the basics – learning the routes and what you need to do on a given play.
“I fell down a few times, and there were passes I dropped because my hands weren’t where they needed to be. But if you stick with it, all that eventually comes.”
The pair is actually extending a recent tradition of late-blooming receivers in Collegeville.
Tight end Alex Larson, who earned All-American honors in 2021, ’22 and ’23, didn’t come out for football until his senior year at East Ridge either.
He went on to finish his career with the Johnnies ranked first among tight ends in school history in career receptions (171, fourth overall), touchdown catches (30, seventh overall) and receiving yardage (2,097, 10th overall).
He also attended rookie camps with the NFLʼs Seattle Seahawks and New Orleans Saints in 2024.
Wheeler too has drawn the attention of pro scouts.
“These guys all have a lot of natural athletic ability,” SJU head coach Gary Fasching said. “If you take a great athlete and plug them into virtually any sport, they’re eventually going to excel and excel at a high level.”
Which is exactly what Wheeler and Schwellenbach are doing.
“I didn’t get to play much my junior season because I was still learning the ropes,” Schwellenbach said. “My senior year was really the only chance I had in high school to play a full season. I had so much fun, and there was a lot I still wanted to do.
“I’m just grateful I’m getting four more years to keep going here.”
a real lifesaver
SJU running back Caden Wheeler and his family pulled an unconscious man from a pool in 2024
Caden Wheeler was asked what some of the things he’s most proud of were.
The Saint John’s senior running back talked about the strong relationships he continues to maintain with his family and friends, and spoke a bit about the adversity he’s weathered in his athletic career.
And then – very humbly and only in passing – Wheeler mentioned the time he, his brother and father saved a man’s life.
The details – which he provided only when pressed – are these:
The Wheeler family was vacationing in Crosslake in August 2024 when Caden, younger brother Kyler and father Patrick returned to their hotel and decided to go swimming. In the pool, they discovered a man unconscious and floating face down.
The Wheelers pulled him from the water, called for help and performed CPR until first responders arrived.
The man made a full recovery and Caden, Kyler and Patrick were presented with a Citizens Award by Crosslake police chief Jake Maier at a city council meeting this past January.
“Working as a law enforcement officer, it’s refreshing to see members of the public go above and beyond when an emergency arises,” Sgt. Tony Marks of the Crosslake Police Department said. “In this instance, the immediate reactions of the bystanders were a major deciding factor in whether or not the victim survived.
“As a department, we recently began recognizing these events, not only as a thank-you to the individuals who without question saved lives, but
to remind the public that these events occur frequently throughout the nation and can often go completely unnoticed. We’re honored to have such helpful citizens and visitors to our city.”
“It’s just a good feeling knowing we were able to help,” is how Wheeler concludes his own telling of the story.
That kind of soft-spoken but determined attitude is also apparent when the Andover High School graduate discusses the ups and downs the past two seasons have brought.
Wheeler led SJU in rushing as a junior, and is again leading the team this year. That’s in spite of the fact that he sat out the first three games a year ago with a broken foot, then returned for the next five before suffering a broken right tibia and fibula and a dislocated right ankle in a win over Gustavus. Those injuries required season-ending surgery.
He was back to 100 percent at the start of camp in August, but missed time with a broken hand, as well as hamstring issues, as the season went on. He was able to get back on the field, but sustained an ankle injury in the first half of a 31-13 win at Gustavus on Nov. 1 and has been out of action since.
The hope is he’ll be back for any postseason action the Johnnies see.
positives in any situation and not dwell on the negatives,” Wheeler said. “It’s not ideal to be hurt, but that’s part of the game and you have to find ways to overcome it. The one thing all the injuries have done is made me realize every game you get to play is an honor. You can’t take any of them for granted. Time is precious and you have to make the most of every opportunity.
“There’s never been a moment in my life where I’ve felt like there was a task or obstacle too tall,” he continued. “I haven’t walked away from anything I’ve started ever.”
Wheeler said that upbeat demeanor comes from the values Patrick (who is in the accounting and finance industry but coached both his sons at the youth level) and his mother, Callie (who works in human resources), instilled in both Caden and Kyler.
“They always told us if we start something, we had to finish it,” he said. “You don’t give up when stuff doesn’t go your way. Things may not go the way you expect them to, but it’s how you keep going that matters most.”
Wheeler said those lessons were reinforced by former Johnnie lineman and popular accounting professor Warren “Boz” Bostrom, who passed away in October at just age 52 after battling illness.
It was Bostrom who convinced Wheeler to major in accounting, and he credits him with the job he’s already lined up at advisory, tax and assurance firm Baker
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John’s
coaching staff
GARY FASCHING
It’s never easy to replace a legend, but Gary Fasching has proven himself up to the task.
The 1981 SJU graduate took over for John Gagliardi when the winningest coach in college football history retired following the
KOLE HECKENDORF
OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR WIDE RECEIVERS 13th SEASON on coaching staff
Kole Heckendorfis in his eighth season as SJU’s offensive coordinator and his 13th as a member of the team’s coaching staff. Heckendorf was a standout wide receiver at North Dakota State, who ended his career (2005-08) with the Bison as the program’s career leader in catches (178) and receiving yards (2,732). He then spent time with the NFL’s Green Bay Packers, Detroit Lions, Seattle Seahawks, San Diego (now Los Angeles) Chargers and Indianapolis Colts.
Kole and his wife, Kristen, son, Landon, and daughter, Hallie, reside in Sauk Rapids.
Additional Coaching Staff
Josh Bungum ’16 Quarterbacks
Josh Bungum is in his 10th season on the coaching staff. He was an All-American pick as a player in 2015 and finished his career second in program history in receptions.
Will Blakey Running Backs
Will Blakey rushed for 446 yards and a team-best 10 touchdowns for the Johnnies in 2024 before transitioning onto the coaching staff this season.
Mike Magnuson ’90 Offensive Line
Mike Magnuson is in his 11th season on the coaching staff and his eighth coaching the team’s offensive lineman. He was a three-year starter for the Johnnies at offensive tackle himself, helping lead the team to two NCAA Division III playoff appearances.
2012 season. Since that time, Fasching has guided the Johnnies to six MIAC titles and led his team to eight-straight NCAA Division Ill playoff berths from 2014-’22 (no season in 2020) – a program and MIAC record streak, as well as nine berths in the last 10 years.
A three-year starter for the Johnnies at linebacker (197778, 1980-81), Fasching served 17 years as an assistant football coach and recruiting coordinator on Gagliardi’s staff before taking over as head coach. He has since been named MIAC coach of the year
BRANDON NOVAK
DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR DEFENSIVE BACKS 26th SEASON on coaching staff
Brandon Novak is in his 26th season as an assistant coach for the Johnnies and currently serves as defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach.
The 2001 SJU graduate was a two-time AllAmerican selection at linebacker who earned MIAC MVP honors in 1999. He was a three-time All-American wrestler and won the NCAA Division Ill national championship at 197 pounds in 2001.
Novak and his wife, Heather, sons, Sebastian and Maikol, and daughter, Luciana, reside in St. Joseph.
Ben Eli ’16
Offensive Line
Ben Eli is in his eighth season on the coaching staff. As a player, he was an All-American selection at center.
James Herberg Defensive Backs
James Herberg is in his first season on the coaching staff this fall after leading Rocori High School to a Class 4A state title in 2019 and a state runner-up finish in 2023 as the Spartans head coach.
Max Jackson ’19
Defensive Assistant/Diversity and Student Success
Max Jackson is in his fifth season on the coaching staff. He was a two-time All-American safety and a two-time All-MIAC pick in baseball.
Collin Franz ’21
Defensive Line
Collin Franz is in his fourth season on the coaching staff. He started all 12 games for the Johnnies as player in 2021.
seven times (2014, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022 and 2024). Prior to coming to SJU, Fasching was the head coach at St. Cloud Cathedral High School from 1986-’95, leading the Crusaders to back-to-back state titles in 1992 and ’93.
In 2022, he was inducted into both the Minnesota Football Coaches Association (MFCA) Hall of Fame and the St. Cloud Cathedral Athletic Hall of Fame.
He and his wife, Cindy, have five children and 13 grandchildren and reside in St. Joseph.
RECRUITING COORD. DEFENSIVE LINE 20th SEASON on coaching staff
Damien Dumonceaux is in his 20th season on the SJU coaching staff and currently serves as the program’s recruiting coordinator and defensive line coach. He was a three-year starter at nose tackle for the Johnnies from 2003-’04, earning All-American honors as a senior.
That season, he was also named Football Gazette’s Defensive Lineman of the Year and D3football.com’s Defensive Player of the Year, while receiving the MIAC Mike Stam Award as the conference’s top lineman. Dumonceaux and his wife, Patricia, and son, Fischer, reside in St. Joseph.
Andy Auger ’95
Defense
Andy Auger is in his seventh season as a volunteer assistant. Prior to that, the former football and baseball standout for the Johnnies was head football coach at St. Cloud Cathedral from 2013-15. Tom Wicka ’90 Linebackers
Tom Wicka is in his fourth season as a volunteer assistant. He was a two-time All-MIAC pick at linebacker at SJU.
Alexi Johnson ’17
Kickers
Alexi Johnson is in his eighth season as a volunteer assistant. He was the Johnnies’ kicker from 2013-16, ending his career second in school history in career field goals (27) and career PAT’s (190).
Isaiah Traufler ’24
Tight Ends
Isaiah Traufler is in his first season on the coaching staff after playing four years at running back for SJU.
0 JOEY GENDREAU Sr. TE 6-3 230 SHOREWOOD, MN/MINNETONKA
1 TREY FEENEY Jr. QB 6-3 205 MOORHEAD, MN/MOORHEAD
2 X’ZAYVION CLAYTON Fr. QB 5-11 165 FLORIDA CITY, FL/SOUTH DADE
2 DYLAN WHEELER Sr. WR 6-2 195 ST. PAUL, MN/MOUNDS VIEW
3 ZANDER DITTBENNER Sr. QB 6-0 200 MANKATO, MN/WEST
4 RILEY SCHWELLENBACH Jr. WR 5-9 160 WOODBURY, MN/EAST RIDGE
5 JOEY MOBERG Sr. WR 5-10 200 ST. PAUL, MN/JOHNSON
6 THOMAS JACOBS Jr. WR 5-10 170 LAKELAND, MN/STILLWATER AREA
7 MASON DELZER So. RB 6-1 210 SPICER, MN/NEW LONDON-SPICER
8 COREY BOHMERT Jr. RB 5-10 175 MAHTOMEDI, MN/MAHTOMEDI
10 SAM NOLAN Jr. WR 6-0 185 LAKEVILLE, MN/NORTH
12 REECE DAWSON So. QB 6-3 215 ROGERS, MN/ROGERS
13 QUINTON MENDOZA Fr. QB 6-1 180 WHITTIER, CA/DIAMOND BAR
15 LUCAS JANSKY Sr. QB 6-1 200 KIMBALL, MN/KIMBALL AREA
16 CARSON HEGERLE So. WR 6-2 190 WEST FARGO, ND/WEST FARGO
17 FAARIS AMEGANKPOE Sr. WR 6-3 190 MAPLE GROVE, MN/MAPLE GROVE
18 BROCK HOLTHAUS Fr. WR 5-10 180 MONTICELLO, MN/MONTICELLO
19 OWEN AMRHEIN Sr. WR 5-11 185 WACONIA, MN/WACONIA
20 CARSON GELLERMAN Fr. TE 6-3 200 BECKER, MN/BIG LAKE
21 LOGAN EISELE So. RB 6-0 205 BECKER, MN/BECKER
23 DYLAN KIRCHNER Jr. RB 6-0 200 ANDOVER, MN/ANDOVER
24 WYATT MCCABE So. RB 5-10 190 MAYER, MN/WATERTOWN-MAYER
25 TAKHI VAUGHN Sr. RB 5-10 180 EDEN PRAIRIE, MN/EDEN PRAIRIE
26 CADEN CHAPMAN So. RB 5-9 190 MILFORD, IA/OKOBOJI
27 CADEN WHEELER Sr. RB 5-10 200 ANDOVER, MN/ANDOVER
28 ANDREW FLATEN So. RB 5-9 195 ALEXANDRIA, MN/ALEXANDRIA
30 HENRY SIEVERS Fr. K/P 5-9 160 MAPLE GROVE, MN/MAPLE GROVE
31 LUKE BIENIEK Fr. RB 5-11 180 HOLDINGFORD, MN/HOLDINGFORD
32 ANDY BECKER So. RB 5-10 210 KIMBALL, MN/KIMBALL AREA
33 SEDRIC MELVIN JR. Fr. RB 5-8 200 HOMESTEAD, FL/SOUTH DADE
34 TYLER HOHEISEL Jr. RB 5-11 190 MONTICELLO, MN/MONTICELLO
36 LANDON HUBER Fr. K/P 6-2 230 LAKELAND, MN/STILLWATER AREA
37 WIL GOLDSCHMIDT Fr. RB 5-7 180 WACONIA, MN/WACONIA
38 NICK BUBOLTZ Fr. P 6-1 215 DETROIT LAKES, MN/DETROIT LAKES
39 KEEGAN KNUTSON Fr. WR 5-10 170 RED WING, MN/RED WING
40 JUDE MENDEZ Fr. RB 5-9 175 ODESSA, TX/HOLY CROSS
42 ANDREW TAVALE Fr. RB 5-11 210 ST. JOSEPH, MN/SARTELL-ST. STEPHEN
43 MAVERICK HARPER So. RB 5-11 200 LINO LAKES, MN/CENTENNIAL
44 TANNER DAVIS Fr. RB 6-1 210 MINNETRISTA, MN/HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC
45 ISAAC HUNTER Fr. RB 5-8 180 STILLWATER, MINN./STILLWATER AREA
46 CARTER PORTER Fr. WR 6-0 190 SAN BERNARDINO, CA/PACIFIC
47 JACKSON BRAXTON Fr. WR 6-0 190 SHAKOPEE, MN/SHAKOPEE
50 BEN HAGEN Fr. OL 5-11 290 NEW RICHLAND, MN/WASECA
51 BARRETT VAN DEUN Jr. OL 6-1 285 OMAHA, NE/MILLARD WEST
56 EDDIE REECE Sr. OL 6-5 250 HUDSON, WI/HILL-MURRAY
58 ISAAK NOWAK Jr. OL 6-3 280 ANDOVER, MN/ANDOVER
59 SULLY WEIBEL Fr. OL 6-0 295 CAMBRIDGE, MN/CAMBRIDGE-ISANTI
60 IAN DEGROSS Sr. OL 6-3 290 ELKO, MN/NEW PRAGUE
61 BILLY SALEH Fr. OL 6-3 330 CORAL GABLES, FL/LASALLE
63 JOE VASCELLARO Sr. OL 6-3 295 MINNEAPOLIS, MN/ST. THOMAS ACADEMY
64 HUNTER NETHING So. OL 6-3 295 ELK RIVER, MN/ELK RIVER
65 AIDEN DE OLIVEIRA Fr. OL 6-3 285 MIAMI, FL/BELEN JESUIT
66 JASON ELLIS Fr. OL 6-2 320 LOXAHATCHEE, FL/CARDINAL NEWMAN
67 GENO BIETER Fr. OL 6-5 250 ST. PAUL, MN/CRETIN-DERHAM HALL
68 JOEY NELSON So. OL 6-5 280 CHANHASSEN, MN/CHANHASSEN
69 HENRY ANDERSON So. OL 6-2 300 EDEN PRAIRIE, MN/EDEN PRAIRIE
70 ALEX MARKGRAF Sr. OL 6-0 270 ST. MICHAEL, MN/ST. MICHAEL-ALBERTVILLE
71 THOMAS GRAVES So. OL 6-3 290 ST. PAUL, MN/CRETIN-DERHAM HALL
72 JACOB LOPAU So. OL 6-7 305 ST. JOSEPH, MN/ROCORI
73 DIEGO HURTADO So. OL 5-11 250 CHANDLER, AZ/HAMILTON
74 ETHAN LINCOLN Jr. OL 6-3 285 SCANDIA, MN/FOREST LAKE
75 JOSH QUIRK So. OL 6-1 270 MINNEAPOLIS, MN/EDINA
77 MIKEY OFTEDAHL So. OL 6-2 305 MINNETRISTA, MN/MOUND-WESTONKA
78 MICHAEL BOUGIE Jr. OL 6-5 310 SOUTH ST. PAUL, MN/CRETIN-DERHAM HALL
79 LAKLEN VOGEL Fr. OL 6-3 285 COLD SPRING, MN/ROCORI
80 HUGO LOHMANN Fr. TE 6-2 215 EXCELSIOR, MN/CHANHASSEN
81 MICHAEL BECKIUS So. WR 6-0 190 NEW PRAGUE, MN/NEW PRAGUE
82 RYAN WARFORD Jr. WR 6-0 190 WOODBURY, MN/CRETIN-DERHAM HALL
83 ANDREW SCHAFFER Jr. WR 6-1 195 CHASKA, MN/CHASKA
84 E.J. HOSTY Jr. TE 6-7 210 CHICAGO, IL/FENWICK
85 LOGAN JOHNSON Fr. WR 6-0 185 ST. PAUL, MN/MOUNDS VIEW
86 CADE BERG Jr. WR 6-5 190 PLYMOUTH, MN/ROBBINSDALE ARMSTRONG
87 WILLIAM NASH Fr. WR 6-1 160 ST. PAUL, MN/ST. THOMAS ACADEMY
88 CHARLIE PLUM Sr. TE 6-4 230 INVER GROVE HTS., MN./CRETIN-DERHAM HALL
89 ANDREW HARREN Jr. TE 6-5 230 RICE, MN/SAUK RAPIDS-RICE
90 MATT HANSEN Jr. K/P 5-11 150 LONGMONT, CO/NIWOT
91 JARON CALVERT Fr. K/P 5-11 210 ELK RIVER, MN/ST. CLOUD CATHEDRAL
0 MARK ROGALSKI So. DB 6-0 205 EDEN PRAIRIE, MN/ST. THOMAS ACADEMY
1 JACK ST. FLEUR Sr. DB 6-0 210 SAN DIEGO, CA/CHRISTIAN UNIFIED
2 NOLAN DUMONCEAUX So. DB 6-1 200 FOREST LAKE, MN/FOREST LAKE
3 LOGAN SUGGS So. DB 5-10 190 MINNEAPOLIS, MN/TOTINO-GRACE
4 WILL PEROUTKA So. DB 5-11 175 ROSEMOUNT, MN/ROSEMOUNT
5 LANDON DANNER So. LB 6-2 215 ROSEMOUNT, MN/ROSEMOUNT
6 ISAAC POTTER Sr. LB 6-0 215 WASECA, MN/WASECA
7 EVAN WAHLIN Sr. DB 5-11 185 SARTELL, MN/ST. CLOUD CATHEDRAL
8 PEYTON GOETTLICHER Jr. DB 5-11 190 MANKATO, MN/WEST
9 WESTIN HOYT So. DB 6-1 200 FOREST LAKE, MN/FOREST LAKE
10 BLAKE SIMONSON Sr. DB 5-11 175 WACONIA, MN/WACONIA
11 TEDDY WACKMAN Fr. DB 6-2 190 MINNEAPOLIS, MN/SPRING LAKE PARK
12 ANDREW LIPKE So. LB 6-3 215 STEWART, MN/HUTCHINSON
14 A.J. FIDER Fr. DB 5-10 180 EXCELSIOR, MN/MINNETONKA
14 ALEX HARREN Sr. LB 6-2 210 RICE, MN/SAUK RAPIDS-RICE
15 CHARLIE KING So. DL 6-6 265 FARIBAULT, MN/BETHLEHEM ACADEMY
16 CADEN RENSLOW Jr. DB 6-1 195 INVER GROVE HEIGHTS, MN/SIMLEY
17 VINCENT PYNE Jr. DB 6-0 185 ROSEMOUNT, MN/ROSEMOUNT
18 WILL SEYMOUR So. DB 6-1 175 NEW PRAGUE, MN/NEW PRAGUE
19 ADAM SCHAVEY Jr. LB 5-11 200 WINNEBAGO, MN/BLUE EARTH AREA
20 HUDSON POOLE So. DB 5-10 165 EXCELSIOR, MN/MINNETONKA
21 NICK WILTON Fr. DB 6-1 180 HOMESTEAD, FL/SOUTH DADE
22 CHARLIE RYKS Sr. DB 6-0 195 MAPLE GROVE, MN/BRECK
23 AIDEN MCMAHON Jr. LB 6-1 220 MAPLE GROVE, MN/MAPLE GROVE
24 JOHN HAWKINS Sr. DB 6-0 180 ST. CLOUD, MN/CATHEDRAL
25 ZACHARIAH HUNTER Sr. LB 6-0 210 STILLWATER, MN/STILLWATER AREA
26 BRENNAN BATISTE Fr. DB 6-2 175 GONZALES, LA/ST. JAMES
27 JADEN ALEXANDER Fr. DB 5-9 160 MINNEAPOLIS, MN/DELASALLE
28 JOHN KARKULA Fr. LB 6-2 210 LAKE ELMO, MN/STILLWATER AREA
29 KADEN PRONGA Fr. DB 6-0 180 CHANHASSEN, MN/CHANHASSEN
30 DARBY BOELTER So. DB 5-10 185 CROSSLAKE, MN/PEQUOT LAKES
30 WILL DIANA So. LB 6-1 220 EDEN PRAIRIE, MN/EDEN PRAIRIE
31 MASON MCKELVY So. LB 6-1 195 AUSTIN, TX/WESTLAKE
32 AARON BAISLEY Fr. LB 6-0 210 COLD SPRING, MN/ROCORI
33 SAM CARBAJAL Jr. LB 6-0 210 CRESTLINE, CA/CITRUS VALLEY
34 KOOPER JOHNSON Fr. DB 5-9 170 REDWOOD FALLS, MN/REDWOOD VALLEY
35 TYLER SMITH Fr. DB 6-1 190 CARVER, MN/CHANHASSEN
36 GRIFFIN MURRAY Fr. DB 6-0 180 JORDAN, MN/HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC
37 ZACH HELFMANN Jr. LB 6-2 240 ST. LOUIS PARK, MN/ST. LOUIS PARK
40 JOE GILLIS Fr. LB 6-2 210 NEW ULM, MN/CATHEDRAL
41 QUINN LUNDGREN Fr. LB 6-0 210 PALM BEACH GARDENS, FL/CARDINAL NEWMAN
42 BRADYN KOST Fr. LB 6-0 205 SAUK RAPIDS, MN/SAUK RAPIDS-RICE
43 CAMPBELL KUIPER Fr. LB 6-1 220 PLEASANT PRAIRIE, WI/ST. JOSEPH CATHOLIC ACAD.
44 ANDREW MOLENAAR Sr. LB 6-0 220 SHOREVIEW, MN/MOUNDS VIEW
46 SEAN JAMISON Fr. LB 6-3 180 CHERRY HILL, NJ/CHERRY HILL
48 ANDREW MOST Fr. LB 6-0 210 WOODBURY, MN/ST. THOMAS ACADEMY
49 COOPER NELSON So.
6-0 225 SHERMAN OAKS, CA/CRESPI CARMELITE
50 J.P. WEBER Jr. LB 6-0 210 DUBUQUE, IA/WAHLERT 51 HENRY BENDICKSON
CONNOR SCHREIER Fr. DL 6-3 230 EDEN PRAIRIE, MN/HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC
72 STEVE DAIKER Fr. DL 5-11 230 ROGERS, MN/ROGERS 80 TIMMY LAWAL Fr. DL 6-1 210 ST. CLOUD,
FAMILY
85 BRADEN SOTIS So. DL 6-1 220 TEMECULA, CA/LINFIELD CHRISTIAN
86 TIM JOHNSON So. DL 6-2 250 ELK RIVER, MN/ELK RIVER
88 ALEX WIMMER So. DL
MURRIETA
91 RYLAN TURQUEZA So. DL 6-3 285 EWA BEACH, HI/RADFORD
92 CHANDLER OBERING Sr. DL 6-4 285 ORANGE, CA/VILLA PARK
93 RILEY DEROSIER Sr. DL 6-1 235 BAXTER, MN/BRAINERD
94 COLE ENGEN Sr. DL 6-1 235 ESKO, MN/ESKO
95 CALEB THOM Sr. DL 6-2 230 MINNEAPOLIS, MN/TOTINO-GRACE
96 JACK KRZA Sr. DL 6-4 245 LITTLETON, CO/MULLEN
97 ZACH FRANK Sr. DL 6-3 270 LINO LAKES, MN/CENTENNIAL
98 TOMMY GILMORE Sr. DL 6-3 260 OTSEGO, MN/ROGERS
99 JAWAHN COCKFIELD So. DL 6-1 250 ST. PAUL, MN/STILLWATER AREA
St. Olaf Oles
0
1
2
2
3
4
4
PIPES Fr. WR 5-11 160 MAHTOMEDI, MN/MAHTOMEDI
5 JACK COLLINS Fr. DB 5-9 175 GREEN BAY, WI/NOTRE DAME ACADEMY
6 LANDON DILLON So. RB 6-0 225 MINNEAPOLIS, MN/BLAKE
6 FORD PETERSON So. DB 5-7 170 SOLANA BEACH, CA/TORREY PINES
7 WILL SKEMP Sr. WR 6-3 210 LA CROSSE, WI/AQUINAS
8 TYTAN SMALL Jr. LB 6-0 205 ST. CHARLES, MN/ST. CHARLES
9 ANTONIO BRIDGES JR. So. DB 5-8 195 MINNEAPOLIS, MN/SOUTHWEST
11 PATRICK GARDNER Fr. K 5-8 170 SANTA ROSA, CA/CARDINAL NEWMAN
11 MICHAEL GONZALES Fr. QB 6-6 205 RAMSTEIN, GERMANY/RAMSTEIN
12 LUKE CROSBY Jr. QB 6-0 200 SAVAGE, MN/PRIOR LAKE
12 BRETT SALMONSON So. DB 5-10 195 COTTAGE GROVE, MN/PARK
13 CARTER OLSON So. DB 5-10 170 WAYZATA, MN/WAYZATA
13 TAITE RAASCH Fr. QB 6-3 200 ZUMBROTA, MN/ZUMBROTA-MAZEPPA
14 FELIPE SUAZO JR. So. DL 6-2 200 NEW ORLEANS, LA/ISIDORE NEWMAN
14 MAGNUS HANSEN Fr. QB 5-11 170 PLYMOUTH, MN/PROVIDENCE ACADEMY
15 FORREST BUTLER Fr. WR 6-3 195 ROCKLEDGE, FL/HOLY TRINITY EPISCOPAL ACADEMY
16 ALEC MAHONEY So. DB 5-9 185 MAHTOMEDI, MN/MAHTOMEDI
17 SILAS HETLAND Fr. DB 6-1 165 COLLEGE STATION, TX/SNOOK
18 PRESTON GRAMS Fr. QB 6-0 195 MADISON LAKE, MN/MANKATO LOYOLA
19 TREY PETERSEN Jr. DB 5-6 165 RICHFIELD, MN/RICHFIELD
19 CAMERON REYES Fr. QB 5-8 165 YERINGTON, NV/YERINGTON
20 CIARAN LEE Fr. DB 6-1 185 SAN JOSE, CA/BELLARMINE COLLEGE PREP
21 TONY AVILA-TOVALIN 5th DB 5-10 180 ST. PAUL, MN/MINNEHAHA ACADEMY
23 BRENDAN STEINHOFER Fr. DB 6-0 180 MILL VALLEY, CA/TAMALPAIS
24 NOAH BARRETT Sr. LB 6-0 220 STRATFORD, WI/STRATFORD
26 LOGAN BOSCH So. LB 5-10 225 EDEN PRAIRIE, MN/EDEN PRAIRIE
27 GUS GARTZKE Sr. RB 5-9 185 MANKATO, MN/EAST
28 NICK ROLLINGER Jr. DB 6-0 170 ST. PAUL, MN/MAHTOMEDI
29 WILL HARRIS Jr. LB 6-0 180 STILLWATER, MN/MAHTOMEDI
30
31
32 TAUSTON RUPE Fr. LB 5-10 225 WASECA, MN/WASECA
34 JOE VNAK Fr. P 5-9 185 NEW BRIGHTON, MN/ST. ANTHONY VILLAGE
35 BRYCE FRENZEL So. DB 5-9 185 BLACKDUCK, MN/BLACKDUCK
37 SAWYER CHELL Jr. DB 6-2 190 ANOKA, MN/ANOKA
39 MATEO FURNESS Fr. LB 6-0 210 PEARLAND, TX/LUTHERAN SOUTH ACADEMY
41 OWEN BARTLETT
43
44
45 TAYTUM LUND Fr. LB 5-11 205 HAMBURG, MN/CENTRAL
46 PARKER SEAMAN Fr. LB 5-8 190 RAMSEY, MN/ANOKA
47 IAN WITTEK So. LB 5-10 205 ANOKA, MN/ANOKA
48 MAX MAGNUS Fr. RB 5-4 160 LAKE CRYSTAL, MN/LCWM
49 SOREN FLODEN So. K 5-11 180 UNDERWOOD, MN/UNDERWOOD
50 FINN ANZALONE Fr. DE 5-10
ACADEMY
96 DYLAN CHRISTIANSON Fr. DL 6-2 255 LYLE, MN/LYLE
97 FINN QUALLS Jr. DL 6-1 250 COLUMBIA, SC/IRMO
98 PEYTON ROGERS So. DL 6-2 250 MINNEAPOLIS, MN/MINNEHAHA ACADEMY
99 JONAH BLACKMAN So. DL 6-3 235 BIG LAKE, MN/BIG LAKE
COACHING STAFF
HEAD COACH: JAMES KILIAN (NINTH SEASON)
ASSISTANT COACHES: LUCAS KLEINSCHRODT (DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR), MATTHEW PAULSON (OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR/OFFENSIVE LINE), MITCHELL KLEINSCHRODT (SPECIAL TEAMS COORDINATOR/CORNERBACKS), ERIC PULLEY (RUNNING BACKS), ERIC MATTSON (SAFETIES), BILLY RAIBLE (TIGHT ENDS), MATTHEW WOOD (LINEBACKERS/RUN GAME COORDINATOR), TONY BARNACK (WIDE RECEIVERS), JON CHHAY (CORNERBACKS), ETHAN OLSON (STUDENT ASSISTANT)
a day to honor champions
It was another banner year for the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University athletics in 2024-25.
In all, the Bennies and Johnnies brought home 25 team or individual MIAC titles (and another conference playoff title).
That list of champions reads as follows:
Football (MIAC title, 11-1 record)
Volleyball (MIAC playoff title)
Basketball (Conference playoff champion, 25-4 record)
Swimming and diving: Brayden Slavik (champion in 400 individual medley, 500 freestyle, 1,650 freestyle); Carter Larson (champion in 100 and 200 freestyle); Carson Reuter (champion in 50 freestyle); 200 freestyle relay (Larson, Reuter, Colby Kern, Liam Noble); 400 freestyle relay (Larson, Reuter, Noble, Kern); 800 freestyle relay
(Slavik, Connor Thayer, Larson, Kern).
Indoor track and field: Jackson McDowell (champion in high jump); Anthony Thurk (champion in heptathlon); Distance medley relay (Tommy Allen, Ryan Conzemius, Lars Molenkamp, Cole Stencel).
Sabriya Farquharson (Champion in triple jump); Jaylyn Ahlberg (Champion in pole vault).
Outdoor track and field: Kevin Arthur (champion in 100 and 200 dash); Jackson McDowell (champion in high jump); Mitchell Degen (champion in javelin); Kole Guth (champion in pole vault); Max Reis (champion in long jump); Max Lelwica (champion in decathlon); 400 relay (Arthur, Reis, Matt Hansen, Aidan Morey).
Sabriya Farquharson (Champion in triple jump); Jaylyn Ahlberg (Champion in pole vault).
All the 2024-25 MIAC champions will be honored at halftime of today’s game.
“We have an incredible group of athletes here at Saint John’s and Saint Ben’s, and their accomplishments over the course of the last school year is a testament to that,” SJU interim athletic director Dan O’Brien said. “It’s very special and meaningful to have the opportunity to honor them today.”
“Congratulations to all of our Bennie and Johnnie champions,” CSB athletic director Kelly Anderson Diercks added.
“Your hard work and dedication have paid off. Thank you for being leaders and role models on our campuses.
“Cheers to many more championships in the year to come.”
PROUD
SPONSOR AND CONTRACTOR FOR JOHNNIE
ATHLETICS
All-American Profile
Move to tight end paid off in an All-American honor for Dan Grant
Dan Grant credits an assist from his big brother with helping turn him into an All-American.
The 1989 SJU graduate was a wide receiver during his first three seasons at Saint John’s and saw some action (including a huge catch his freshman season … more on that later).
But it wasn’t until he switched to tight end as a senior that he really came on.
The Bloomington Jefferson High School graduate caught 55 passes for 637 yards in the fall of 1988, a reception total that was a single-season school record at the time. And the youngest son of legendary Minnesota Vikings head coach Bud Grant credits his older brother Mike – who played for the Johnnies from 1975 to ʼ78 – with initiating the position switch.
Mike Grant – who has gone on to an incredible run as the longtime head coach at Eden Prairie High School – was an assistant coach under John Gagliardi in Collegeville during Dan’s junior and senior seasons before leaving to become the head coach at Forest Lake High School for a second time.
“He helped get me where I got my senior year,” Dan recalled. “John trusted Mike to call a lot of the plays offensively, and he was the one who decided to move me to tight end.
“I think Mike, at times, thought he should feed his baby bro. So he gets a lot of the credit for the success I had.”
But Dan did have a very memorable moment as a freshman in the fall of 1985. The Johnnies were trailing St. Thomas 15-7 on the road late in the game that year when Gagliardi put Dan (who was wearing a cast on his right hand after breaking his wrist
when he fell off a friend’s motorcycle a few months earlier) into the game.
“We came out in a twins formation, which we’d never done before,” he remembered. “I don’t think St. Thomas knew what to do because they weren’t expecting it. Chris Turnquist was a great receiver for us that year. He ran a post pattern and I ran an out-and-up.
“Suddenly, I realized I was open in the end zone and Rick Dougherty, one of the all-time greats at Saint John’s, threw me the ball. It was in the air probably three seconds, but it felt like 10. I saw it come down and I didn’t have to make a great catch or anything. The ball was right there.”
The 20-yard touchdown reception cut the gap to 15-13 (the Johnnies couldn’t convert for two) with 1:16 remaining. Then, SJU was able to get the ball back and Don Pribyl kicked a 42-yard game-winning field goal with just three seconds left on the clock.
“Little did I know that would end up being probably the most influential catch I’d make during my time there,” Dan said.
The business management major has gone on to a long career in sales. He’s now a senior account executive at Crown Door & Drawer. He and his wife of 22 years, Melissa, reside in Chanhassen, where they have raised three children: Preston, a sophomore at the University of Nebraska, Kendal, a senior at Chanhassen High School, and Dominick, who is now in eighth grade.
“I always tell people who are looking at going to Saint John’s that they’re really going to enjoy the experience,” he said. “Football aside, I just loved my time there and that seems to ring true for anyone I know who’s gone there. The people are so welcoming and the alumni connections and network is just tremendous.
“It’s a really special place.”
Every Day Is Game Day
Become a Bennie or a Johnnie and you’ll unlock the magic of today’s game day community, camaraderie and commitment to excellence to carry with you every day on campus. This is who we are.
Come take a closer look –schedule a campus visit today!
YOUR PRINTING PLAYS GO-TO FOR OVER 103 YEARS.
Football Facilities
Clemens Stadium
From the start, those in charge of developing the space now known as Clemens Stadium had something majestic in mind. So they set about turning a former cranberry bog into a natural bowl stadium that has been the home of Saint John’s University football for 117 years.
Ringed by the gorgeous fall colors of the surrounding Central Minnesota woods, the field has long become a destination spot, a status only solidified when Sports Illustrated named it one of college football’s top 10 “Dream Destinations” in 1999.
The facility itself has expanded often over the years. Concrete seating was added in 1933 and expanded in 1957. The familiar stone entrance behind the south end zone was built in 1939 and the first press box and concession stand were erected four years later. In 1997, local philanthropist Bill Clemens – the man for whom the stadium is named – provided a million-dollar donation that allowed for construction of a new grandstand, an expanded press box, larger concession stands and restrooms and a new entrance. Another donation by Clemens, who attended SJU from 1938-ʼ40, made possible the installation of an artificial playing surface in 2002.
A third tier to the press box was added in 2009 and lights were installed in 2012. Meanwhile, large crowds have been commonplace. SJU has finished among the national leaders in per-game attendance in NCAA Division III in each of the last 21 seasons – including crowds of 10,000 or more 25 times since 2001.
That included a facility-record 17,327 for a matchup against St. Thomas on Sept. 26, 2015 – a day in which ESPN’s “Sports Center On the Road” program was broadcast live from the stadium, and a crowd of 13,107 on hand to see legendary former coach John Gagliardi become the winningest coach in college football history when SJU beat Bethel 29-26 on Nov. 8, 2003.
McGlynn Fitness Center
When it comes to training, the right facilities are important.
The 5,600-feet McGlynn Fitness Center –which was made possible by a generous gift from the Burt McGlynn family, and is open to all students and alums – is equipped with a full range of free weights, upper-body, lower-body and full-core machines, and cardiovascular machines such as treadmills, ellipticals and exercise bicycles.
Gagliardi Field
A big part of the success of the Saint John’s University football program over the years has been the way players of the past helped pave the way for players of the present and future.
The Gagliardi Field and Seasonal Dome complex is a perfect example of that sense of community. Named in honor of legendary former football coach John Gagliardi – the winningest coach in college history – it was made possible by gifts from more than 50 individual donors, many of whom were former players.
The artificial turf field has markings for a fulllength football field, lacrosse, rugby, soccer, two cross-court soccer fields, baseball and softball, along with three batting cages when the Skalicky Dome goes up from October to April each academic year.
It’s a year-round home for intramural sports on campus, but also serves as a practice facility for the football team and other varsity sports.
investing in the next generation of johnnies
That’s exactly what you’re doing when you show your support for Student Fund scholarships on Give SJU Day.
The annual 24-hour drive – which serves as the hallmark fundraising event for Student Fund scholarships – is scheduled for Nov. 19. That fund provides direct financial support to Saint Johnʼs students – 98 percent of whom receive some form of scholarships or financial aid to help make their SJU experience possible. This year’s goal is to reach 1,300 donors on Nov. 19.
“The Student Fund is a philanthropic priority for Saint John’s,” said Ted Kain ’12, senior development officer for Saint John’s Institutional Advancement. “Give SJU Day invites all SJU alumni, parents, friends and employees to stand up for Saint John’s and show their support for Johnnies. It’s a fun and inspirational day that’s critical for reaching our Student Fund goals each year.”
Your investment on Give SJU Day will generate an additional return. Every gift made that day, regardless of the amount, is matched by $100 from the Saint John’s Alumni Association.
Beyond that, there are several other ways to lend a hand:
• Position your gift as a class match to help your class lead the way for number of donors!
• Help achieve challenges for new donors, young alumni donors, Johnnie Sustainers and more.
• Use social sharing buttons (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, texting and email links) to generate gifts. Inspire others to give and you can earn incentives!
Today’s matchup between Saint John’s and St. Olaf will be the 64th meeting between the two teams in a series that dates back to 1922.
The Johnnies hold a decisive 4814-1 edge in the rivalry, but that certainly wasn’t the case early on.
The Oles won the first four matchups between the two teams, a streak that started with a 20-10 win in Collegeville on Oct. 21, 1922, and concluded with an 82-0 blowout victory on Oct. 25, 1930, in Northfield.
That trend was expected to continue when St. Olaf traveled to Collegeville the following year. But the Johnnies defied the odds, upsetting the defending MIAC co-champions 13-0.
“A powerful line that held the Oles (on) downs (on) three different occasions when a score seemed imminent and a running attack that the Northfield team couldnʼt seem to fathom was responsible for the victory,” the St. Cloud Times wrote in its recap. “On one occasion the Oles came within eight yards of a touchdown but failed to advance further when St. Johnʼs stopped every thrust at the line and around the ends.”
That SJU rushing attack was led by Auggie Luckemeyer, a future All-MIAC fullback from St. Cloud, who rushed for a pair of touchdowns – helping cement his superstar status on campus.
“The most envied of men during the football season – captain of the greatest football machine St. Johnʼs ever turned out,” is how he was described in The Sagatagan yearbook the following year. “Plunging like a brainy automaton, tirelessly, mercilessly. Just to show that he can do other things besides driving off tackle, he publishes occasionally a book review in The Record and is chairman at Mr. Hughes’ business conferences.”
SJU had largely gained the edge in the series when the two teams faced off on Oct. 4, 1952, in Collegeville. Head coach John “Blood” McNally, in his final season at the Johnnies’ helm, led his team to a 34-0 win that day – a Homecoming victory aided by quarterback Casey Vilandre, who threw for two touchdowns and ran for another.
St. Olaf left the MIAC for the Midwest Conference after that season, meaning the two teams did not meet again until the Oles returned in 1974.
That year, in a matchup played on Sept. 21 in Collegeville, SJU rolled to a 5121 win. Halfback Marty Cella hauled in a 41-yard touchdown pass from Mike Kozlak, then added a 1-yard scoring run to cap a four-touchdown first quarter, The score was 48-7 in the third quarter
“Besides that, the Oles are nice people.”
Since that time, SJU has largely held the upper-hand, though St. Olaf did win three-straight times from 1984 to ʼ86.
And there have been some close encounters, including on Oct. 25, 2008, in Northfield.
That game went to overtime before the Johnnies emerged with a 20-14 victory, thanks to a 1-yard touchdown run by quarterback Joe Boyle.
The Oles had a chance to win with one second remaining in regulation, but free safety Bobby Klint blocked a 22-yard field goal attempt.
The win came one week after St. Thomas fumbled the ball inside the Johnniesʼ 1-yard line with under 20 seconds to play, allowing Saint Johnʼs to hold on for a 12-9 win.
“Itʼs been a pretty unbelievable run,” Klint, who also finished with seven tackles and had an interception that set up a thirdquarter touchdown, told the St. Cloud Times afterward. “I donʼt know what
AUGGIE LUCKEMEYER
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HOCKEY
NOV. 21 @ St. Olaf
NOV. 22 vs. St. Olaf
DEC. 4 vs. Bethel
DEC. 6 @ Bethel SWIMMING & DIVING
WRESTLING
NOV. 22 @
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