Kofoed, Johnnies Give Gagliardi Win No. 450
ST. PETER, Minn. – Senior quarterback Alex Kofoed (Cold Spring, Minn./Rocori) was 25 of 37 passing for 337 yards and five touchdowns as No. 3/4 Saint John’s University defeated Gustavus Adolphus 40-0 on Saturday, Oct. 13 in St. Peter. Kofoed’s passing performance broke two school records formerly held by current Carleton head coach Kurt Ramler (1993-96).
Kofoed set the school’s all-time mark for touchdown passes (88) with his fifth of the game on a 13-yard reception to Blackmore with 12:14 left in the third quarter. In addition, he recorded his ninth career 300-yard passing game, setting a new school record. Kofoed now needs 36 yards passing to become the MIAC’s all-time leading passer in conference games, currently owned by former Bethel quarterback Scott Kirchoff (1999-03).
With the win, legendary head coach John Gagliardi earned his 450th career victory in 59 seasons and his 426th win in 55 seasons at SJU.
Kofoed hit sophomore Ben Vanderheyden (Plymouth, Minn./Wayzata) for a 54-yard gain on the first play of the game, setting up Kofoed’s 11-yard touchdown pass to senior running back Aaron Blackmore (Albany, Minn.) three plays later. The extra point by junior Russell Gliadon (Fridley, Minn.) gave the Johnnies an early 7-0 lead.
Kofoed then connected with senior wide receiver Brian Weber (Glenwood, Minn./Minnewaska Area) to put the Johnnies ahead 13-0 with 7:09 remaining in the first quarter.
Kofoed hit junior Brett Saladin (Woodstock, Ill.) for a 17-yard touchdown pass to give SJU a 19-0 lead with 12:07 left in the second quarter. Gliadon’s point-after attempt was blocked. Kofoed connected with Saladin for another score, this time from 21 yards out, with 5:26 remaining in the first half. Gliadon’s extra point gave SJU a 26-0 lead.
A 27-yard touchdown run by junior Jeff Schnobrich (New Ulm, Minn./Cathedral) increased the Johnnies’ lead to 33-0 with 1:47 left in the first half. SJU outgained Gustavus 334-51 in the first half, as the Gusties were forced to punt seven times in the game’s first two quarters.
Vanderheyden led the Johnnies with 100 yards on four receptions, while Weber gained 71 yards on five catches. Schnobrich led the Johnnies’ ground game with 51 yards on six carries. Defensively, sophomore linebacker Ryan Wimmer (St. Cloud, Minn./Cathedral) led the Johnnies with nine tackles (2 solo), while junior defensive tackle Nick Gunderson (Woodbury, Minn.) collected five tackles (3 solo), including 2.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and one fumble recovery. Senior safety Kevin Boegel (Mahtomedi, Minn.), sophomore linebacker Josh Rose (Litchfield, Minn.) and sophomore cornerback Dominic Haik (Minneapolis, Minn./Totino-Grace) each intercepted an errant Jordan Stolp pass.
Stolp, who entered the game averaging 291.8 passing yards per game, was held to 7 completions on 23 attempts for just 69 yards.
The last time SJU shutout Gustavus in St. Peter occurred on Oct. 7, 1932 (7-0). The Johnnies have shutout the Gusties five times since, all in Collegeville.
Saint John’s (7-0, 5-0 MIAC) will travel to face Hamline next Saturday, Oct. 20. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Klas Field in St. Paul.
Athletic Department
Saint John’s University
PO Box 7277
Collegeville, MN 56321
320-363-2757
Fax 320-363-3130
E-Mail Marilyn Koltes