History making moments abounded Saturday throughout the Minnesota sporting community and none were heard from louder than the thousands of fans and alumni gathered at Clemens Stadium.
But then again history making moments are precisely the reason thousands make the pilgrimage each fall for football Saturdays. Those who’ve marched regularly to Collegeville tell tales of a 2001 playoff melee where a young wide receiver returned a punt 80 yards through the mud and rain for a game winning touchdown.
Other followers point to a lengthy field goal with time running out in 1985 versus St. Thomas, on the opponent’s home field, to win 16 – 15. Some perhaps look fondly on the day Coach Gagliardi grasped the record as the winningest football coach of all-time against this weekends same opponent – The Bethel University Royals.
Despite the more than 10,000 fans that sojourned Saturday to the place of Benedictine rule, there were plenty of reasons to seek more comfortable surroundings. Temperatures stayed near 40 degrees with looming rain threatening throughout the day.
The weather for Homecoming is traditionally sunny as is the disposition of those attending given the Johnnies penchant towards winning these early October contests in front of its most valued supporters.
Homecoming at St. John’s in recent years has also become a Renaissance Festival of sorts with inflatable castles dotting the post game event and plenty of grog and ale available to alumni and friends.
Despite the less than ideal party conditions the formula for another successful University Annual Fund Drive was well in place as the Johnnies notched a touchdown late in the 4th quarter to make the score 14 -13. The guaranteed extra point to tie the game was soon to be racked up by senior place kicker Russell Gliadon.
Like the sun nearly breaking through the southwest horizon just beyond The Quadrangle, Russell Gliadon’s extra point nearly went through the uprights.
Along with Russell’s unexpected miss so went the party atmosphere and hopes of meeting donor goals in an already economically challenged time, replaced instead by horror, disbelief, anger and a rapidly dwindling interest in contributing to the educations of future Johnnie students.
However to be called “The Greatest Game” in Johnnie football history requires the unexpected, and in this case a record breaking 49 yard field goal with time expiring is qualification enough.
Pass the pledge cards please.
