COLLEGEVILLE, Minn. – The Saint John's University football team has received a number of accolades in recent college football preseason publications. The Johnnies were ranked fourth in The Sporting News, eighth in Lindy's and ninth in the USA Today preseason Division III polls.
In addition, senior defensive tackle Kyle Schroeder (Richmond, Minn./Rocori) was named to The Sporting News Division III Preseason All-America team. A 2009 D3football.com third-team All-American, Schroeder played in all 11 games and led SJU with 6.5 sacks and the MIAC with 16.5 tackles for loss. He also posted four quarterback hurries, three forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and 41 tackles (26 solo). Schroeder returns in 2010 due to a medical hardship earned during the 2007 season.
Senior quarterback Joe Boyle (Richfield, Minn./Holy Angels) and senior offensive lineman Jeff Gilbertson (Wabasha, Minn./Winona Cotter) were named honorable mention in the D3 Senior Classic preseason All-American team. Schroeder was later added to the watch list after officials became aware he is returning for the 2010 season.
Boyle started nine games for the Johnnies last season and led the team in passing with an average of 162.3 yards per game. He tallied a 55.3 completion percentage (114-206) to go along with his 16 touchdown passes. Boyle also added 107 yards rushing and four touchdowns on the ground. He enters the 2010 season with a 12-2 record as a starter, including two overtime wins and six fourth-quarter comebacks.
Gilbertson started every game at right tackle last season and helped the Johnnies end the regular season second in the MIAC in both scoring offense (28.8 ppg.) and rushing offense (191.3 ypg.).
Both Boyle and Gilbertson were named 2009 Academic All-MIAC (min. 3.50 GPA).
The Johnnies ended the 2009 season with an 8-0 record in the MIAC and a 10-1 overall record. SJU earned its MIAC-record 31st conference championship, the 27th under the direction of legendary head coach John Gagliardi, and made its 24th postseason appearance (and 11th in the past 12 seasons).
SJU opens the 2010 season against Northwestern (Minn.) at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 4, at Clemens Stadium in Collegeville. Gagliardi begins his record 62nd season overall, 58th season at SJU, this fall. College football's all-time wins leader, Gagliardi begins the 2010 campaign with a 471-126-11 (.784) collegiate career record and a 447-120-10 (.783) record at SJU.
