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COLLEGEVILLE, Minn. – No. 13 Saint John's forced a school-record eight interceptions in a 35-7 win over St. Scholastica in the first round of the NCAA Division III playoffs on Saturday, Nov. 22, in Clemens Stadium.
The Johnnies (10-1, 7-1 MIAC) advance to face No. 4/5 Wartburg (11-0, 7-0 IIAC) in the NCAA second round at noon next Saturday, Nov. 29, in Waverly, Iowa. The Knights defeated No. 18/20 St. Thomas by 37-31 score on Saturday.
The victory enabled SJU to become the second college football program in the state of Minnesota to reach 600 wins (600-241-24 record in 104 seasons).
Junior running back Sam Sura (South St. Paul, Minn.) rushed for 147 yards and three touchdowns on 28 carries, including a pair of scores in the second quarter to give SJU a 14-0 halftime lead. He did not play in the fourth quarter with SJU ahead 35-0.
Junior quarterback Nick Martin (Plymouth, Minn./Wayzata) found sophomore fullback Zack Sundly (Harris, Minn./North Branch) for a nine-yard score on the opening possession of the second half to give SJU a 21-0 lead.
Sura took it over from one yard out with 2:47 left in the third quarter before SJU intercepted its seventh pass of the day on the Saints' next offensive play. Martin connected with senior wide receiver Rob Voshell(Sartell, Minn./Sartell-St. Stephen) for a 34-yard diving catch in the end zone 54 seconds later to make it 35-0.
The Johnnies intercepted St. Scholastica quarterback Tyler Harper on the Saints' first four drives of the second half.
Preston Robinson erased the shutout for CSS (10-1, 9-0 UMAC) with a 33-yard touchdown run with 4:48 remaining. He finished the afternoon with 67 yards on 10 carries, while Harper totaled 146 yards on 18-for-39 passing.
Martin ended the day nine of 13 passing for 128 yards and the two touchdowns. Sophomore linebackerCarter Hanson (Blue Earth, Minn./Blue Earth Area) led the SJU defense with 13 tackles (eight solo), including 1.5 tackles for a loss and a sack. Both of SJU's cornerbacks, senior Andrew Norri (Virginia, Minn.) and junior Trevor Warner (Murrieta, Calif./Vista Murrieta), collected two interceptions apiece.
Junior linebacker Reid Bjorklund (South St. Paul, Minn.) tallied seven tackles (four solo), including 1.5 for a loss and added an interception. The other interceptions were made by senior defensive lineman Blake Bellefeuille (Sartell, Minn./St. Cloud Cathedral), senior linebacker Andrew Rose (Stillwater, Minn.) and sophomore safety Lucas Glomb (Woodbury, Minn./Hill-Murray.
SJU outgained St. Scholastica 313-282 in the game, including a 302-137 advantage through the first three quarters.
Notes: The postseason win is the first for SJU since 2007, snapping a three-game skid in the playoffs…the victory gives SJU its MIAC-record 19th 10-win season…the Johnnies are now 40-19 in postseason games (35-18 at the Division III level) and 19-5 at home (11-2 in the first round).