AFCA Poll | D3football.com Poll

COLLEGEVILLE, Minn. - Saint John's was ranked No. 12 and No. 14 in the final D3football.com and American Football Coaches' Association (AFCA) polls, respectively, of the 2009 season on Monday, Dec. 21.

The Johnnies have now either been ranked or received votes in the final AFCA poll 10 of the last 11 seasons.

SJU needs to replace four starters on offense and seven starters on defense in 2010. Aside from the graduation of Russell Gliadon at kicker and punter, however, the Johnnies are expected to return each of their statistical leaders from 2009: passing (Joe Boyle), rushing (Jakob Reding), receiving (Josh Overman), total tackles (John Stanton), tackles for loss (Kyle Schroeder), quarterback sacks (Schroeder), interceptions (Billy Lawrence), punt return yardage (Kevin Wenner) and kick return yardage (Harry Awe).

SJU ended the 2009 season with an 8-0 record in the MIAC and a 10-1 overall record. The Johnnies earned their MIAC-record 31st conference championship, the 27th under the direction of Gagliardi, and made their 24th postseason appearance (and 11th in the past 12 seasons). Gagliardi ended his record 61st season with a 471-126-11 (.784) career record and a 447-120-10 (.783) record in 57 seasons at SJU.