COLLEGEVILLE, Minn. – Here's a football prediction that history says you can bank on: The Saint John's University football team will make the NCAA Division III playoffs in 2011.
The Johnnies missed the NCAA Division III playoffs for only the fourth time in the last 18 years, and for the first time since 2004, last fall. But here's where history comes in: The Johnnies have earned a trip to the postseason each of the last eight seasons (1985, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1996, 1998 and 2005) following a year in which they did not, including conference titles in seven of the eight.
Need more history? The 2010 season marked the Johnnies' 24th straight winning season and 43rd consecutive season without a losing record after finishing third in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference with a 6-2 record (7-3 overall). Those three losses were by a total of seven points.
The Johnnies return six offensive starters, seven defensive starters and both special-teams specialists for the 2011 season, but will need to replace All-America defensive lineman Kyle Schroeder and a trio of All-MIAC selections in quarterback Joe Boyle and offensive linemen Jeff Gilbertson and Tim Juba.
Legendary head coach John Gagliardi enters his record-63rd season and 59th at SJU as college football's all-time wins leader with a 478-129-11 (.782) career record and a 454-123-10 (.782) mark with the Johnnies.
Here's a look at the 2011 Johnnies, by position:
OFFENSE
Last fall, Saint John's led the MIAC (conference games only) in total offense (489.0 ypg.), pass offense (292.5 ypg.) and pass efficiency rating (172.9). The team's overall pass efficiency rating of 166.3 was good for sixth overall in NCAA Division III, while the 469.7 yards of total offense per game put the Johnnies 11th. SJU converted nearly half of its third-down conversions (49.2 percent, 62-for-126), including 51.0 percent (49-96) in conference play.
Quarterback
The front-runner to replace Joe Boyle, a two-time All-MIAC and three-year starter at quarterback, is junior John Ries (6-foot-2, 200 pounds; Plymouth, Minn./Wayzata). Ries totaled 259 passing yards and two touchdowns as Boyle's backup each of the past two seasons, including a 2-0 record as the starting signal-caller.
Ries is expected to be pushed for the starting job by sophomores Connor Bruns (6-3, 215; Baltimore, Md./Loyola Blakefield), Tyler Greguson (5-11, 175; Rochester, Minn./Lourdes) and Ben Krebsbach (5-11, 190; Plymouth, Minn./Benilde-St. Margaret's).
Running Back
The Johnnies return each of their top four rushers from last season; a group that combined for 1,627 yards and 18 touchdowns on 311 carries (5.23 avg.). Three of the four backs posted at least 725 yards or more from scrimmage (combined rushing and receiving yardage).
Senior Jakob Reding (6-1, 225; Eden Prairie, Minn.) returns to the SJU backfield, thanks to a medical hardship waiver granted from the Air Force Academy, as the Johnnies' leading rusher each of the past two seasons. He gained 512 yards on 96 carries with seven touchdowns and added another score on 26 catches for 225 yards to earn a spot on the All-MIAC second team for the second straight year last season. Reding enters the 2011 campaign needing 347 rushing yards to crack the Johnnies' top 15 career rushing leaders, as well as 934 yards from scrimmage to move into 10th all-time. He is also fifth among running backs with 70 career receptions.
Junior Stephen Johnson (6-0, 200; Mahtomedi, Minn.) returns to the SJU backfield after accumulating 1,019 yards on 223 carries (4.6 avg.) over the past two seasons. Although his 99 carries for 455 yards were both lower than his freshman year totals, Johnson added 280 yards and four touchdowns on 27 catches as a sophomore last fall.
Sophomore Nick Schneider (6-0, 225; St. Cloud, Minn./Rocori) bounced back after missing all but two games of the 2009 campaign due to a knee injury. He led the Johnnies with nine total touchdowns last fall. Schneider totaled 752 all-purpose yards, averaging 6.4 yards per carry (66 attempts for 437 yards) and 16.9 yards per catch (18 receptions for 304 yards). Schneider set a new SJU freshman rushing record with 179 yards and three scores on 14 carries in the Johnnies' 33-13 win over Gustavus Adolphus Oct. 23.
Junior Harry Awe (5-9, 190; St. Paul, Minn./Minnehaha Academy) averaged 6.2 yards each time he touched the ball, rushing for 239 yards and three touchdowns on 50 carries and another 132 yards and two touchdowns on 10 receptions. These numbers, however, do not include his passing ability. The lefty has completed three of his four career pass attempts for 118 yards and a touchdown.
Sophomore Colin Moynihan (6-1, 190; Edina, Minn.) is projected to be the next ball carrier in the mix and is expected to see increased time in 2011.
Wide Receiver
In similar fashion to the Johnnies' experience in the backfield, the 2011 depth chart at wide receiver should provide ample support to the new starting quarterback. SJU returns a pair of senior wideouts in Sam Pederson (6-0, 185; La Crosse, Wis./Aquinas) and Brent Graboski (6-4, 210; Woodbury, Minn.). Graboski entered the starting lineup following his breakout game against Concordia and caught 23 passes for 385 yards and four touchdowns, while Pederson was named to the All-MIAC second team after posting 485 yards receiving on 24 catches. His lone touchdown was an 86-yard reception in the season finale against Hamline.
Junior Max Forster (6-3, 210; Minnetonka, Minn./Hopkins), senior Mitch Bidleman (6-3, 200; St. Joseph, Minn./St. Cloud Apollo) and sophomore Dylan Graves (6-2, 180; Mora, Minn.), a high school All-Star game participant a year ago, are expected to provide depth. Forster had five catches for 158 yards, while Bidleman snagged three passes for 48 yards and a touchdown last fall. Junior Tyson Euerle (6-3, 180; St. Cloud, Minn./Tech) and sophomore Joe Johnson (5-10, 155; Breckenridge, Minn.) will also vie for time at receiver.
Freshman Rob Voshell (6-1, 190; Sartell, Minn./Sartell-St. Stephen), a transfer from Division II University of Sioux Falls (S.D.) and the 2009 St. Cloud Times Area Player of the Year, is expected to contribute on offense and special teams right away.
Tight End
The lone skilled position for Gagliardi to replace is at tight end, where Josh Overman served as one of the team's leading receivers each of the last three seasons. The Johnnies will turn to a pair of big bodies in juniors Taylor Freetly (6-6, 240; Kerkhoven, Minn./Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg) and Wade Powers (6-4, 245; Hawick, Minn./New London-Spicer) to replace him. Powers was the backup in 2009 and suffered a season-ending injury last August. Freetly, the 2010 backup, caught three passes for 45 yards in his first season with the Johnnies last fall.
Junior Scott Ramey (6-1, 210; Baxter, Minn./Brainerd), the team's returning punter, and senior Addison Tackmann (6-4, 210; Rochester, Minn./Mayo) are expected to supply depth.
Offensive Line
The backbone of SJU's offense needs to replace Juba, a three-year starter at center, as well as left tackle Gilbertson and right guard Matt Detloff. Gilbertson and Juba were both named to the D3football.com All-West region third team after earning All-MIAC first-team honors last season. Luckily for SJU, injuries enabled the staff to play a number of different players on the line last year. On top of that, the 2010 starter at left guard and the 2009 starter at right guard return. Senior Andrew Ghostley (6-1, 280; Champlin, Minn./Champlin Park) started all 10 games at left guard last season is back, while fellow senior Eric Dirkes (6-3, 335; Avon, Minn./Albany) returns after missing the majority of last season due to a back injury.
Sophomores Jack Hedlund (6-3, 280; St. Cloud, Minn./Tech) and Pete Schwarz (6-4, 285; New Ulm, Minn./Cathedral) are expected to take over at both tackle positions after playing most of the season as freshman transfers last year. Another senior, Jimmy Stodolka (6-2, 280; Mendota Heights, Minn./St. Thomas Academy), is the frontrunner to fill Juba's shoes at center.
Juniors Ryan Hanes (6-1, 290; Hudson, Wis.) and Max McHugh (6-6, 230; Green Bay, Wis./Notre Dame Academy), and sophomore Kevin Battis (6-0, 305; Blaine, Minn./Centennial) are also expected to see playing time this fall. Two towers, sophomore Jack Palmisano (6-8, 320; Eden Prairie, Minn.) and freshman Ben Kuhr (6-8, 290; Burnsville, Minn./Lakeville South), will provide depth as bookends at tackle. Three other freshmen, Alex Jarosz (6-4, 280; North Oaks, Minn./Totino-Grace), Cory Johnson (6-7, 250; Farmington, Minn.) and Cody Zimmerman (6-7, 250; North Oaks, Minn./Mounds View), could crack the depth chart as well.
DEFENSE
The Johnnie defense looks to rebound following a “down” year in SJU standards in 2010. For the first time since 1995, SJU did not finish in the top two of the MIAC (conference games only) in scoring defense and also failed to do so in total defense for the first time since 2001. Defensive coordinator Jerry Haugen aims to restore the Red and White's defense prowess with the return of seven starters and a number of experienced players this season.
Defensive Line
Just as Penn State is known as “Linebacker U,” perhaps Saint John's should be properly labeled as “D-Line U.” The Johnnies have had at least one All-American on the defensive line 10 of the last 11 seasons. With this solid pattern, the question is who will be next? SJU has plenty of options to get the job done, though the Johnnies need to replace three experienced linemen from last year in two-time All-American Schroeder, Griffin Hayes and David Burns.
SJU returns junior Connor Grill (6-3, 230; Plymouth, Minn./Wayzata), while senior Evan Cobb (6-1, 225; Becker, Minn.) makes the full transition from linebacker to defensive end this fall. Cobb tallied 33 tackles, including 28 solo, and finished second on the team with 7.5 tackles for loss. Grill, meanwhile, came on strong in the second half of the season with 12 tackles, including two for a loss and half a quarterback sack. In addition to those two, senior Jack Daggett (6-7, 250; Hutchinson, Minn.), junior Ben Hillman (6-4, 250; Duluth, Minn./East) and sophomores Jeremy Hill (5-10, 210; Shoreview, Minn./Mounds View) and Paul Plombon (6-3, 250; Rice, Minn./Sartell-St. Stephen) all return after contributing in the trench last fall.
A pair of transfers, sophomore Nate Blenker (6-4, 285; Avon, Minn./Albany) from NCAA Division II St. Cloud State and junior Joe Donner (6-0, 245; Delafield, Wis./Kettle Moraine) from Division III DePauw (Ind.), are expected to be in the mix. Freshmen Maze Thompson (6-2, 210; Shoreview, Minn./Mounds View) and Joe Zrust (6-0, 300; North Oaks, Minn./Totino-Grace) are projected to make an immediate contribution in 2011.
Linebacker
The Johnnies need to replace Billy Lawrence and John Stanton, their top two tacklers a year ago. To do that, Haugen and linebacker coach Brandon Novak will turn to seven familiar faces.
Junior Ian Goldsmith (6-1, 200; Shoreview, Minn./Mounds View), an All-MIAC first-team selection a year ago, as well as fellow junior Jake King (6-1, 230; Mounds View, Minn./Totino-Grace) both return. Goldsmith made the transition from safety to linebacker with ease halfway through the season and is expected to rotate between the two positions this fall. King appeared in all 10 games last season and posted 20 tackles.
Seniors Luke Sweeter (5-11, 230; Sartell, Minn./Sartell-St. Stephen) and Nick Zweber (5-10, 210; Elko, Minn./New Prague), and juniors Taylor Dammermann (6-1, 210; Spicer, Minn./New London-Spicer) and John Gans (6-1, 210; Rice, Minn./Sauk Rapids-Rice) are all expected to supply depth and battle for the third linebacker spot.
Senior Dustin Baxter (5-10, 215; Fairbanks, Alaska/West Valley), a two-time All-American on the wrestling mat, returns to the gridiron in 2011 after missing all of 2010 due to a knee injury suffered in the 2009 regular-season finale. He starred on special teams as a running back from 2008-09, collecting 29 tackles (20 solo), and will make the transition to defense this fall.
Freshmen Andrew Rose (6-2, 205; Stillwater, Minn./Stillwater Area) and Blake Bellefeuille (6-1, 220; Sartell, Minn./St. Cloud Cathedral), both high school All-Star game participants over the summer, and Devon Fleck (5-11, 195; Blaine, Minn./Spring Lake Park) are expected to provide youthful depth at linebacker and special teams.
Secondary
SJU returns three of its four starters from last year's secondary, including junior cornerback Alex Powell (5-10, 170; Hopkins, Minn.), senior safety Andrew Rotschafer (6-1, 185; Eden Prairie, Minn.) and junior safety Kevin Wenner (5-11, 185; St. Cloud, Minn./Cathedral). An All-MIAC outfielder this past spring, Powell returns for his third season as a starting cornerback this fall after tying for the team-lead with three interceptions. Powell and Wenner tied for sixth on the team with 38 tackles apiece, while Rotschafer made 16 tackles (10 solo) with two interceptions.
Junior Bobby Fischer (5-11, 180; Plymouth, Minn./Osseo), the team's fastest player, is expected to replace the lone departure, cornerback Mike Bonynge.
Wenner and junior Adam Weber (6-1, 185; Glenwood, Minn./Minnewaska Area) are likely to offer depth at cornerback, while senior Lukas Inveiss (6-3, 215; Sartell, Minn./Sartell-St. Stephen) and sophomore Joey Kinnan (6-1, 195; Andover, Minn./Totino-Grace) will do the same at safety.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Junior Jimmie Mattson (6-2, 210; Eau Claire, Wis./Memorial) led the Johnnies in scoring with 64 points with a perfect 7 of 7 field goals and 43 points-after touchdown last fall. An All-MIAC second-team selection, Mattson led all conference kickers (MIAC games only) in both scoring (49 points) and field-goal percentage (100.0). He begins the 2011 campaign on the Fred Mitchell Award Watch List, which includes 50 Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), Division II, III, National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) collegiate place-kickers that were nominated by their colleges for excellence on the football field and in the community.
Ramey averaged 37.6 yards on 28 punts last fall, including five of which were 50 yards or further. He only punted 19 times in eight conference games.
The Johnnies return all but one player from last season's return game. On punts, Wenner is back after averaging five yards on 26 punt returns last season. Fischer, Rotschafer and Voshell are expected to be in the mix as well. On kickoffs, SJU needs to replace Bonynge but returns Awe. Fischer, Rotschafer and Voshell will likely contend to flash their speed at this spot as well.
