WEATHERING ADVERSITY:
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN LANDON GALLAGHER AND TOMMY GILMORE BOTH BACK IN TOP FORM AFTER BATTLING INJURIES
PAGE 8
vs. ST. SCHOLASTICA
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Saint John’s jumped out to a 17-0 lead and recovered from a shaky second quarter to defeat Gustavus Adolphus 3113 last Saturday (Nov. 1) in St. Peter. The Johnnies (7-1, 6-1 MIAC) scored on their opening drive and added a pick-six from senior cornerback Blake Simonson before turnovers helped the Gusties close the gap to 17-10 at the break. SJU regained control in the third quarter, capping a 70-yard drive with an 11-yard touchdown pass from junior quarterback Trey Feeney to senior wideout Dylan Wheeler. Gustavus added a 28-yard field goal late in the third, but the Johnnies sealed the win with a 17-play drive that lasted over nine minutes and ended in sophomore wide receiver Carson Hegerleʼs second touchdown of the day. Wheeler finished with 11 receptions for 128 yards – his fourth 100-yard game in his last five games – while junior quarterback Trey Feeney completed 30 of 43 passes for 291 yards and three touchdowns. Junior linebacker Aiden McMahon led an SJU defense that held Gustavus to 192 yards, including just 14 on the ground, with sacks from three different players.
St. Scholastica (3-5, 2-5 MIAC), meanwhile, totaled 537 yards of offense in a 4918 win at Hamline last Saturday. Senior quarterback Donald West completed 20 of 26 passes for 306 yards and five
touchdowns and added one on the ground to go with 58 rushing yards. Three of his touchdown passes landed in the hands of senior wide receiver Andrew Burgess II. The CSS defense held Hamline scoreless in the second half despite 410 yards of offense allowed. Senior linebacker Austin Mundt totaled seven tackles (four solo), 3.0 sacks for 16 yards and a forced fumble.
Todayʼs game is the eighth meeting between Saint Johnʼs and St. Scholastica and the sixth in Collegeville. The Johnnies swept a two-game, home series in 2016 (49-7) and 2017 (98-0) and prevailed by a 35-7 score in the first meeting, a firstround game in the 2014 NCAA Division III playoffs. SJU posted an 81-0 win in the first conference game as MIAC members in 2021, tallied a 56-6 victory two years ago in the seriesʼ first meeting in Duluth and added a 70-0 triumph last fall.
Last Saturdayʼs 128yard performance marked the 14th time Wheeler has eclipsed 100 receiving yards. He is one game behind Chris Palmer ʻ95 for second in school history. Blake Elliott ʻ03 owns the
record with 22 100-yard receiving games. He also passed now-assistant coach Josh Bungum ʻ15 (2,676) for fourth in program history with 2,775 career receiving yards and Adam Herbst ʻ99 (207) for third with 210 receptions.
Senior defensive lineman Zach Frank sacked Gustavus quarterback Dylan Blount for a loss of three yards last weekend to increase his MIAC-leading total to 9.5 this season. The sack also enabled him to move into seventh on the Johnnies’ all-time sack list with 25.0 in his career. He passed Brian Deters ʻ96, Nick Gunderson ʻ09 and nowassistant coach Damien Dumonceaux ʻ05 with his two-sack performance Oct. 25 vs. Carleton. Frank has also surpassed the 100-tackle plateau in his career (102).
Last Saturdayʼs win was the 699th for the Saint Johnʼs football program, which already leads NCAA Division III in winning percentage (.724, 699-259-24). The Johnnies are just one win shy of 700 and 49 wins shy of Division I Minnesota, despite playing 28 fewer seasons.
N T H E F I E L D
I N L O G I S T I C S
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.) Noon
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 Noon 11/15 at Augsburg Noon
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 1 p.m.
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 Noon 11/15 at Gustavus Adolphus Noon
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 Noon 11/15 HAMLINE Noon
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 Noon 11/15 at Carleton Noon
9/6 at Wisconsin-Lutheran W, 41-27
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 1 p.m.
11/15 CONCORDIA Noon
9/6 at Whitworth L, 10-23
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 Noon 11/15 MACALESTER Noon
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 Noon 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 Noon
11/15 at Saint John’s Noon
5-10 200 RB
ANDOVER HIGH SCHOOL
What is your favorite place on campus and why?
Clemens Stadium because of all the great memories I’ve had there. From practices in August to games in November, they all have been meaningful to me.
What is something about you most people may not know?
I studied abroad in Ireland last spring.
5-10 200 WR
ST. PAUL JOHNSON HIGH SCHOOL
What were the reasons you chose to come to Saint John’s?
6-1 235 DL ESKO HIGH SCHOOL
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced as an athlete and how did you overcome it?
Having three surgeries in 10 months was the biggest challenge I’ve faced as an athlete. Being around the team when I was hurt definitely helped me keep my head up and stay involved. (My teammates) motivated and pushed me to be even better.
Cats or dogs and how come?
Dogs. Cats are evil.
I came to Saint Johnʼs because of the community. Whether itʼs in the stadium or on campus, the community is so welcoming and energetic.
What is something about you most people may not know?
I aspire to be a submarine captain.
What is your best memory from your time on campus – in football or otherwise?
Running onto the football field last year for the first time in front of all the fans, knowing I was living out my childhood dream.
If you could have any meal for dinner tonight, what would it be and why?
I’d choose salmon with asparagus and rice. Salmon is my favorite food and the other two complement it well and are some of my favorite sides.
5-11 200 LB
BLUE EARTH HIGH SCHOOL
What were the reasons you chose to come to Saint John’s?
I really enjoyed how the campus was set up, being surrounded by the lakes and nature.
What is something about you most people may not know?
I can do a 20-minute plank.
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BY FRANK RAJKOWSKI
Saint John’s wasn’t in Michael Bougie’s original college plans.
In fact, it wasn’t until a conversation at a friend’s graduation party after his senior year at Cretin-Derham Hall High School that the 6-foot-5, 310-pound offensive lineman started to seriously consider becoming a Johnnie.
“My friend (Ryan Warford) was going to Saint John’s and he didn’t have a roommate,” Bougie recalled. “He jokingly said I should come up there with him and we could live together. I’d had it in my head that I didn’t want to go the Division III route. But I was starting to feel uncertain about my decision.
“Saint John’s had been recruiting me, and Mags (offensive line coach Mike Magnuson) had been to a few of my games. So I texted him and that got the ball rolling.”
Indeed, after quickly arranging a campus tour, Bougie liked what he saw and was in Collegeville when practice started that fall.
It’s a decision that has paid dividends for the accounting major, who broke into the starting lineup as a sophomore at right guard a year ago, then moved to left tackle for a stint when then-senior
Tommy Hessberg was out with an injury. Bougie returned to that position this year, and as the lone returning starter on the offensive line, he’s been a steady anchor as the four new members of the front five got up to speed.
“He’s a huge part of the success we’ve had this season from an offensive line perspective,” Magnuson said. “We knew we’d have to rely on him even more with the new guys we had coming in, and he worked his butt off. He’s been everything we’ve asked him to be and more.”
Bougie was quickly able to develop a chemistry with the new group. That’s been apparent in the way the offensive line has played the past several weeks, including in a 49-10 win over Carleton two weeks ago when they provided junior quarterback Trey Feeney almost endless time to throw. That protection led to a 409-yard, sixtouchdown passing performance.
“It was a bit challenging finding our footing at first,” Bougie said. “But these guys have all been around for a while. They were just waiting their turn to show what they could do. Now they’re taking advantage of the opportunity.”
As is Bougie, whom Magnuson said is already on the radar of some of the pro scouts who have passed through Collegeville
to take a look at senior All-American wide receiver Dylan Wheeler this fall.
“He’d have to develop and keep getting better,” Magnuson said. “But he doesn’t look like a Division III offensive lineman. He’s strong, explosive and quick. So he has all the tools.”
If he did get a shot at the next level, Magnuson said it would probably be at guard. That wouldn’t be an issue for Bougie, who began his football journey as a center, then played guard for two years in high school before switching to tackle as a senior.
He’s now played both guard and tackle at SJU as well.
“I just go wherever the team needs me,” he said. “I prefer tackle, but I like playing guard as well. I’m just glad to be on the field.”
Of course, any talk of pro football aspirations for a Johnnie offensive lineman brings up comparisons with Ben Bartch ’20, the former SJU All-American now with the San Francisco 49ers.
“He’s definitely the measuring stick around here,” Bougie said. “I do try to look at what he was doing at this point during his (college) career to try to figure out what I need to do to get better."
He’s definitely doing that, and oh yeah, he’s still rooming with Warford as well.
“It’s been three years now,” he said with a chuckle. “Coming here turned out to be a pretty good decision.”
After missing time early, the SJU veteran defensive linemen have settled back into key roles
It was not where either Tommy Gilmore or Landon Gallagher wanted to be at the start of their final seasons at Saint John’s.
The defensive linemen, who both chose to return for a fifth year on a medical redshirt, each began the 2025 campaign sidelined by injuries – Gilmore with a hamstring ailment and Gallagher with a herniated disc in his back.
“It’s frustrating,” Gilmore said. “You came back to play and you don’t want to be sitting out watching. My injury happened the first week of camp, so I knew about it for a while before we played our first game. It was hard, but I focused on doing everything I could to get back as soon as possible.”
Gallagher took the same approach, and both
sorry for yourself. You have to focus on recovering and getting back on the field.”
Gilmore got there first, recording a sack in the Johnnies’ 59-0 win at Hamline in Week 2. Gallagher followed soon after, recording two tackles – including one for a loss – in a 63-0 Homecoming victory over Augsburg the following Saturday.
And both have now settled back into key roles up front for an SJU defense that is allowing the opposition an MIAC-low average of just 5.8 points per game. Gallagher now has 21 tackles, including six for a loss, and 2.5 sacks. Gilmore has recorded 11 tackles, including four for a loss, and three sacks – second on the team only to All-American senior Zach Frank (a
players said it was helpful to have the other one there to lean on.
“We were able to empathize with each other,” said Gallagher, who has been rooming with Gilmore for three years now. “We both knew how much was at stake and we tried to keep the other guy’s spirits up. It’s unfortunate when you find yourself in that position. But you can’t feel
fellow defensive lineman who – along with offensive lineman Joe Vascellaro also rooms with the pair).
“It’s been fun to see them overcome the setbacks they both faced early on and continue to perform at a high level,” Johnnies defensive line coach
Damien Dumonceaux said. “The veteran leadership they both provide is outstanding. They play at a high level every week and that rubs off on the guys around them.
“Everyone on our defensive line feeds off each other. It’s a really cohesive group and Tommy and Landon are big parts of that.”
Their preseason injuries are not the only thing Gilmore and Gallagher have in common. They’re both exercise and health science majors who plan to attend graduate school next fall with an eye on pursuing careers as strength and conditioning coaches at the college level.
In Gilmore’s case, that could be at the University of Oklahoma, where his younger brother Wyatt is a redshirt freshman defensive lineman for the Sooners.
“I know a few people on the team there, and I’d love to see if I could get into the master’s
and his brother pushed each other growing up.
“It got pretty physical,” the 6-foot-3, 260-pound Rogers High School graduate said with a laugh. “There was always a lot of wrestling going on between he and I and my dad (Jeff). It was pretty competitive my whole life
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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
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
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
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
6-0
THOMAS
SHERMAN OAKS, CA/CRESPI CARMELITE
1
2
2
3
4
4
5
6
6
MINNEAPOLIS, MN/DE LA SALLE
7 ANDREW BURGESS II WR 5-9 142 Sr. TAMPA, FL/CYPRESS CREEK
8 MAURICE ROSEBEAR WR 6-0 153 Jr. RED WING, MN/RED WING
8 NIVENS VOLMAR DB 5-6 161 Fr. ORLANDO, FL/LAKE BUENA VISTA
9 GABE KATTCHEE DL 6-2 210 So. LA CROSSE, WI/LOGAN
9 MICHAEL OSELAND QB 6-1 182 Fr. PEQUOT LAKES, MN/PEQUOT LAKES
10 MOSES FARWENEL JR. LB 5-9 175 So. BROOKLYN PARK, MN/FRIDLEY
11 AUSTIN MUNDT LB 5-10 198 Sr. DEER RIVER, MN/DEER RIVER
12
13 TEAGEN LUBINSKI WR 5-9 203 Fr. CROOKSTON, MN/CROOKSTON
14 IZAAC HUTCHINSON DB 5-10 165 Jr. ALBANY, MN/ALBANY
14 TEDDY BERNICK QB 5-10 177 Fr. PRESCOTT, WI/PRESCOTT
15 JEREMIAH BOTTS DL 6-1 202 Fr. HOUSTON, TX/SPRING WOODS
16 CONNOR GUSTAFSON QB 6-4 192 Fr. HIBBING, MN/HIBBING
16 ALEX SCHOTT QB 5-9 163 Fr. HERMANTOWN, MN/HERMANTOWN
17 CHRISTIAN HOVELAND RB 5-7 180 Jr. LAKE ELMO, MN/STILLWATER AREA
18 CARTER BLOOM K/P 6-2 170 So. ELK RIVER, MN/ELK RIVER
18 ZECHARIAH COLLINS DB 5-9 177 Fr. MINNEAPOLIS, MN/SOUTH
19 JAMESON HARCEY WR 6-1 160 So. CAMBRIDGE, MN/CAMBRIDGE-ISANTI
20 JEVON WILLIAMS RB 5-9 168 So. WILLMAR, MN/ATWATER-COSMOS-GROVE CITY
20 XAVIER STOCKERT DB 5-6 125 FR. LA CROSSE, WI/CENTRAL
21 JUAN LOMAS DB 5-7 173 FR. WILLMAR, MN/WILLMAR
22 ADAM PERRIZO WR 5-7 145 SO. HERON LAKE, MN/WINDOM
22 ISAAC JOHNSON LB 5-10 197 FR. ST. PAUL, MN/HIGHLAND PARK
23 NATHAN GUSTAFSON DB 5-11 165 SO. HIBBING, MN/HIBBING
23 GRIFFIN WEBB RB 5-10 188 FR. FORT FRANCES, ONTARIO/FORT FRANCES
24 IAN STRUSZ DB 5-10 180 SR. ALBERTVILLE, MN/ST. MICHAEL-ALBERTVILLE
25 LYNTREALL JOURNET DB 6-0 200 SR. HOUSTON, TX/CESAR CHAVEZ
27 ETHAN KILICHOWSKI RB 5-10 195 SO. ESKO, MN/ESKO
28 DJ WOELBER LB 5-11 205 JR. HAYWARD, WI/HAYWARD
29 STEPHAN JACKSON RB 5-11 198 FR. MINNEAPOLIS, MN/NORTH
30 CHARLIE GRASKE LB 5-9 196 FR. OAKDALE, MN/TARTAN
31 LOGAN FLAA DB 5-8 146 FR. ST. PAUL, MN/TARTAN
33 OWEN LEASK LB 6-0 217 FR. ASHLAND, WI/ASHLAND
34 EPHRAM BOUCHER RB 5-10 208 FR. BEMIDJI, MN/BEMIDJI
35 TYLER BRANNAN LB 5-10 183 FR. DULUTH, MN/DENFELD
36 JACOB ANDREWS K 5-10 191 SR. OWATONNA, MN/MEDFORD
40 CONNOR PLUMLEY LB 5-11 195 Jr OLIVIA, MN/BOLD
42 JACK CAVANAGH LS 6-0 200 Fr. WEST CALDWELL,
51
COACHING STAFF
HEAD COACH: MATT BREMER (FIRST SEASON)
ASSISTANT COACHES: JUSTIN SINZ (OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR), C.J. BUTT (ASSISTANT HEAD COACH/DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR), JON BOLME (DEFENSIVE BACKS/VIDEO COORDINATOR), LUKE HIETALA (RUNNING BACKS), ANTHONY VO (DEFENSIVE LINE), DEVIN SCHELSKE (TIGHT ENDS), ALEX EMMRICH (DEFENSIVE ASSISTANT), WYATT LAHR (WIDE RECEIVERS), SISTER LISA MAURER (COACH OF SPIRITUAL GUIDANCE)
Saint John’s football has the chance to join an exclusive club today.
A victory over St. Scholastica would mark the program’s 700th victory – a milestone only 55 other schools at all levels of college football have previously reached. The Johnnies boast an all-time record of 699-259-24. That .724 winning percentage is already the best in Division III.
Despite playing 28 fewer seasons, SJU trails the Division I University of Minnesota by just 49 wins.
Here is a look at SJU’s road to 700:
• Win No. 1 : Oct. 5, 1901, 11-6 vs. St. Cloud High School.
• 100th - vs. Bemidji State (20-7), 9/10/49
• 200th - vs. Linfield, Ore. (330), 12/11/65* @ Augusta, Ga.
• 300th - at Hamline (31-19), 10/3/81
• 400th - at Wis.-La Crosse (47-25), 11/27/93*
• 500th - vs. Augsburg (63-9), 10/18/03
• 600th - vs. St. Scholastica (35-7), 11/22/14*
• Win No. 699: Nov. 1, 2025, 31-13 vs. Gustavus.
SPONSOR AND CONTRACTOR FOR JOHNNIE
Nate Kirschner visited Saint John’s as he went through the college recruiting process.
But originally, the three-sport standout at Mora High School – who helped lead the Mustangs to a state football championship in 1996 – didn’t see the Johnnies in his future plans.
“I was committed to play at North Dakota (then a Division II school),” he recalled. “I had visited Saint John’s in January of my senior year, and I really enjoyed it, but I had made my mind up that I was going to Grand Forks.
“It was later, in the spring of my senior year, that I just had this sense I should take another visit and go back and explore.”
That sense brought him and his mother to campus on a sunny May day, and an afternoon spent in casual conversation with legendary head coach John Gagliardi led Kirschner to switch his choice to the Johnnies.
It was a decision that worked out well for all involved as the 6-foot-3, 200-pounder
became one of the most productive tight ends in program history.
He finished his career with 108 receptions for 1,796 yards and 19 touchdowns, placing him in the top four all-time among Johnnie tight ends in each category.
His best season came as a senior in 2000 when he had 72 catches for 1,151 yards and 16 touchdowns while leading SJU to a 13-2 record and a berth in the NCAA Division III national title game where the Johnnies fell 10-7 to Mount Union (Ohio) on a last-second field goal.
The playoff run was even more special because – after falling at Bethel in the regular season – SJU made the postseason on an at-large bid and played all five of its NCAA games on the road in five different states.
“That was an experience I’ll never forget,” said Kirschner, who earned All-MIAC and All-American honors that fall. “Having the
opportunity to travel with your buddies made having the success we did that much sweeter.
“And the friendships I made with the group of guys on that team have lasted and endured in the years since.”
Kirschner is now a principal credit officer with Compeer Financial in Mankato, a company he’s been with the past 21 years. He and his wife, Jessica – a 2003 College of Saint Benedict graduate – reside in North Mankato and have two children, Collin and Charlotte.
Collin is a freshman at SJU and runs the end zone camera on the Johnnie football film crew.
“It’s been fun to see things come full circle a little bit,” said Kirschner, who is also an assistant coach on former SJU All-American Jim Wagner’s staff at Le Sueur-Henderson High School and was inducted into the Mora High School Hall of Fame in 2019.
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!
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.
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.
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.
A commitment to service is one of the cornerstones on which the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University experience is built.
That’s reflected in the long list of Bennies and Johnnies who have gone on to serve their country over the years. And it’s reflected in the group of outstanding cadets who are part of the Fighting Saints ROTC Battalion, made up of students from SJU, CSB and St. Cloud State University.
The initial ROTC program began on campus in 1952. The top-rated cadet in that class was David F. Durenberger, who represented the state of Minnesota in the U.S. Senate from 1978 to 1995.
The ROTC program became optional in 1965, and students from SCSU first joined in 1968. It was opened to female students at CSB and SCSU in 1974.
The battalion has gone on to establish a long and proud tradition
of excellence in national competition, as well as in student outcomes.
So on this Veterans Day, we salute the 65 current members of the Fighting Saints, as well as all those who have served or are serving our country through military service.
Nov. 8 looms rather significantly in Johnnie football history.
A number of program milestones have happened on that date - none bigger than in 2003 when legendary former head coach John Gagliardi picked up his 409th career victory, moving him past Grambling’s Eddie Robinson atop college football’s all-time wins list.
It happened in front of a then-school record crowd of 13,107 at a sunny and cold Clemens Stadium. The Johnnies rallied from a fourth-quarter deficit to beat Bethel 29-26 thanks to a 50-yard kickoff return by All-American Blake Elliott that set up a 5-yard touchdown pass from Ryan Keating to Josh Nelson with 2:03 left to play. The win clinched the MIAC title and SJU went on to capture that season’s NCAA Division III national title.
After the comeback win over the Royals, Gagliardi - who finished his career with 489 victories before retiring following the 2012 season - addressed the huge crowd
on hand during a ceremony at midfield.
“Iʼm just so proud of all the guys Iʼve coached over the years,” he said. “I owe it all to them. People always ask me how itʼs done. I tell them itʼs talent, luck and prayer.”
But while what’s come to be known as the 409 game is the most famous Nov. 8 moment, there have been others.
On that date in 1941, SJU closed the season with a 23-7 win at River Falls Teachers College (now Wisconsin-River Falls). The account of that game ran in the sports section of the following Monday’s St. Cloud Times. The front page, meanwhile, was filled with news of the brewing conflict with Japan in the Pacific and the German advance in the Soviet Union beginning to grind to a halt.
Just a month later, after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the U.S. entered World War II, and a number of the Johnnie players on the field that day in River Falls were called to service. That group included Anthony Mannix Moriarty, who started
on the offensive line. The 1942 graduate went on to enlist in the Navy Air Corps. After completing 50 missions, he died when his plane crashed in the Aleutian Islands in 1944. Though he and his crew were spotted in life rafts by a rescue plane, they waved the plane off because it would have been too dangerous to attempt a rescue in the choppy waves. Three days later, they were found by a destroyer.
The jovial John ‘Bloodʼ McNally was a 1924 SJU graduate who went on to a legendary NFL career and was part of the Pro Football Hall of Fame's charter class in 1963. He returned to his alma mater as head coach in the fall of 1950, a post he held for three seasons.
His final game as head coach came on Nov. 8, 1952, when SJU closed its season with a 19-0 loss at Gustavus. He then resigned his post in January of 1953. His successor was Gagliardi, who arrived in Collegeville that fall and was still here for his recordsetting Nov. 8 moment 50 years later.
Granite Partners is a private investment and long-term holding company founded in 2002 in St. Cloud, Minnesota, with a mission to grow companies and create value for all stakeholders. We advance a culture of trust, innovation, and excellence as essential to 100-year sustainability, and we aspire to world-class wellbeing for everyone in the Granite community.
St. Scholastica
