Homecoming is a special time at Saint John’s. The fall colors are usually in full splendor, and football season is well underway. This weekend, alumni from near and far will gather to witness what could be the toughest test yet for the Johnnies. Head coach Chris Meidt and his 18th ranked Oles will be in Collegeville on Saturday. Both teams enter the contest with an unblemished record, but only one will leave that way. Along the way, the Oles have triumphed over Luther College, Valley City State University, Hamline, Augsburg, and Gustavus. With a roster featuring a huge number of all-MIAC players, the Oles will be a staunch roadblock to the MIAC championship hopes of the Johnnies.
The Ole offense has racked up plenty of yards. They have rushed for 1163 and passed for 1706 yards. Throwing the majority of those passes is senior quarterback Matt Penz. A 2006 all-MIAC selection, Penz has completed 106 of 164 passes for 1533 yards and only one interception. Making his job easy are, as Meidt claims, “two of the best receivers in the country,” in seniors Horace Gant and Andrew Schmiesing. Gant has 34 receptions and 7 touchdowns while Schmiesing has 31 receptions and 6 touchdowns on the season. Both were all-MIAC receivers in 2006. Sharing the running duties are juniors Evan Endsley, Jay Higgins, and Coty Watkins. All three have a good amount of carries. Endsley and Higgins are both all-MIAC players, and both get some passes thrown their way, as well. Seniors Eric Yuen and Blake Hamel lead a group of younger linemen in junior Paul Schwingler, sophomore John Schantzen, and freshman Adam Koenig. Yuen and Schwingler earned all-MIAC honors in 2006. The group averages 6’3” and 287 pounds. Capping off the line is sophomore tight end Mike Shimshock, who has only 4 catches this year.
The Ole defense has given up only 416 yards on the ground, but 1149 through the air. A fairly young defensive line is anchored by all-MIAC pick senior James Bechdol. Bechdol has recorded only 2 sacks this season, but has been the focus of many offensive coordinator’s nightmares. Joining him on the defensive front are junior Michael Williams and sophomores CJ Tabasky and Nick Tolen. Leading the team in tackles is senior linebacker Nick Rydberg, a 2006 all-MIAC player. Rydberg has 33 tackles, 10 tackles-for-loss, and 2 sacks thus far. Other linebackers are senior Charlie Mylrea and sophomore Adam Concannon. The Ole defensive backfield is young, but has a veteran leader in senior cornerback Deontae Hutchins, yet another 2006 all-MIAC player. His backfield-mates are sophomores Tyler Jones, Chris Deluca, and Blake Hedstrom.
One last 2006 all-MIAC player to mention is punter/kicker Paul Fortman. The senior has hit 4 of 6 field goals and is a perfect 32 of 32 on extra points. He averages 40 yards per punt and 60 yards per kickoff.
As frighteningly good as they sound, I think the Johnnies have the ability to win this game. At 5-0, the Oles have beaten teams with a combined record of only 7-13. Gustavus is the only respectable team they have beaten. Also, an undefeated Ole team came into Collegeville in 2005 hungry for a win only to get destroyed 63-9.
Keys to a Johnnie win:
1) Kofoed needs to have a good game. If he plays like he did versus Concordia and not Carleton, we’ll be in good shape.
2) We need to get up on them early and take the wind out of their sails.
3) The running game has to continue to work.
4) The defense needs to keep doing what it’s been doing all season.
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