The Johnnies change of pace running attack paid dividends on Saturday as 7 different players had rushing attempts and St. John’s defeated the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire 35-27 at Clemens Stadium. All of St. John’s TD’s were scored on the ground,which is an occurrence that I didn’t research thoroughly, but by casually polling some longtime Johnnie faithful, “it’s been a long, long time since that has happened”.
The Johnnies scored on their second offensive possession traveling 62 yards in 11 plays topped off with a 1 yard run by Stephen Johnson which was followed by the successful PAT by Russell Gliadon for a 7-0 SJU lead.
The Blugolds scored early in the 2nd quarter to tie the score at 7-7. St. John’s followed up with another score just before halftime as Jakob Reding finished off a 87 yard drive to put the Johnnies up 13-7. Russell Gliadon’s attempt to run for a 2 point conversion was stopped just short of the left corner pylon in the south end zone.
The Johnnies began the 2nd half just as they had finished the 1st half as Harry Awe scored on a 6 yard run. Gliadon added the conventional extra point (by kicking it ) for a 20-7 SJU lead.
Eau Claire scored later in the 3rd quarter and again early in the 4th quarter to take a 21-20 lead, this would be the last time the Blugolds would hold the lead in the game.
With 3:50 remaining in the game, Joe Boyle scored on a 14 yard run to put the Johnnies up by a score of 26-21. The decision was sent in from the coaching staff to go for a 2 point conversion. Boyle rolled to his left and the ball slipped from his hands, but he was able to pick it up and find a leaping Ben Vandeheyden on the back line of the end zone for the sucessful 2 point conversion, extending the SJU lead to 28-21.
The fireworks were not over as the Blugolds had other ideas and they moved 56 yards and scored in 2:01, aided by an unsportsman like conduct call by the officials on the previous Boyle TD penalizing the Johnnies 15 yards on the kickoff. Enter big Jack Daggett as part of the SJU defensive unit on PAT attempts. At 6′7″, Daggett was able to get a hand on the ball and block the PAT giving the Johnnies a 28-27 lead.
The Blugolds then attempted an on-side kick, which was recovered by the Johnnies. After two SJU runs of 11 and 5 yards and 1:02 remaining in the game, Eau Claire called a time out. The strategy the Blugold coaching staff settled on during this timeout was to allow SJU to score untouched on the next play to conserve time on the clock and allow them (Eau Claire) to get the ball back with as much time remaining as possible and to go for the tie and possible overtime. After coming out of the time out, SJU ran an end around the right side with Sam Pederson going 37 yards to the north end zone turning around and looking back as if he didn’t hear a whistle. As Pederson crossed the goal line the official signaled TD, which was followed by the PAT by Gliadon making the final score 35-27.
The Blugolds had one final drive, but came up short in their attempt to tie the score and a possible overtime session.
For the day Boyle was 14-21 and 166 yards passing. The rushing attack was lead by Jakob Reding who had 19 attempts for 96 net rushing yards and Stephen Johnson had 11 attempts for 53 net rushing yards.
Receiving leaders for the Johnnies were Sam Pederson 5 receptions for 61 yards and Josh Overman 3 catches for 42 yards.
The Johnnie defense was led by Ryan Wimmer and Nick Gunderson with 9 tackles each and John Stanton with 6 tackles. Gunderson and Jeff Bohlman combined for a QB sack. Dominic Haik recorded an interception.
Next week the MIAC season begins with a trip to Moorhead to face the always tough Cobbers. The Johnnies have some work to do to get to where they want to be, but at this point of the season a perfect record of 2-0 is a nice way to start.
