Box Score

COLLEGEVILLE, Minn. – Saint John's University didn't disappoint its home crowd on Saturday as the ninth-ranked Johnnies handed Northwestern College a 56-10 loss in both teams' 2010 debut.  Saint John's scored its first touchdown five minutes into the game and never looked back while holding the Eagles to 255 total yards.

Northwestern's defense started the game well, recovering a Saint John's fumble on the Johnnies' fifth play from scrimmage.  A quick three-and-out hampered any scoring chance for NWC in its first set.  Unfortunately for the Eagles, Northwestern's defense saw too much of the field too soon, as NWC's drives consisted of three or more plays in its first five possessions.  Saint John's quickly learned from its mistake in the opening set, scoring three consecutive touchdowns to make the score 21-0 at the end of the first quarter.

Northwestern found a rhythm after forcing a Saint John's punt early in the second quarter, driving 71 yards down the field on seven plays for its first score of the 2010 season when Eric Baumgartner (Roseville, Minn./Homeschooled) (Roseville, Minn./Home School) caught a 28-yard pass from Josh Balzer (Shorview, Minn./Mounds View) (Shoreview, Minn./Mounds View).  A successful PAT-kick by Cody Crum (Rushville, Ill./Rushville Industry) brought the Eagles within two scores of SJU at 21-7. 

NWC's celebrating came to an abrupt halt seconds later, when the Johnnies' Mike Bonynge returned the ensuing kickoff 88 yards for another Saint John's score.  After a 61-yard scoring drive by the Johnnies, NWC was in the midst of producing a successful two-minute drill as the first half came to a close when Alex Powell picked off Balzer in the end zone to end the strike.

The second half bled as much Johnnies red as the first, as Saint John's continued to control the game as evidenced by the 56-7 score after a 16-yard score midway through the fourth quarter.  Cody Crum (Rushville, Ill./Rushville Industry) (Rushville, Ill./Industry) capped off Northwestern's final drive of the game with a 27-yard field goal to settle the score at 56-10.

For as much offense as Saint John's produced, Northwestern hung with the Johnnies in time possession, controlling the ball for 28:11.  The home team put up 251 rushing yards to go with 252 passing yards, while the Eagles' line read 75 and 180.

Balzer, who didn't throw a pass in his entire freshman season of 2009, finished the game with 144 yards and a touchdown on nine completions.  Micah Tarter (Punta Gorda, Fla./Charlotte) (Punta Gorda, Fla./Charlotte) followed with a 4-for-8 performance that produced 36 yards.  On the ground, Noah Hadro (Northfield, Minn./Northfield) (Northfield, Minn./Northfield) gained 30 yards on nine rushes.  Crum was the Eagles' receiving leader with 55 yards on four catches.

In comparison, Saint John's quarterback Joe Boyle was 14-17 for 218 yards and two scores, while Stephen Johnson rushed 10 times for 71 yards.

Defensively, the Eagles were led by safety Luke Delain (Denmark, Wis./Denmark) (Denmark, Wis./Denmark), who paced the team with 12 tackles, 10 of which were solo.  Zach Markwith (Honolulu, Hawaii/St. Louis) (Honolulu, Hawaii/St. Louis) had seven tackles in his collegiate debut, while Dave Kleiner (Lakeville, Minn./Bethany Academy) (Lakeville, Minn./Bethany Academy) and Joey Bauman (Kerkhoven, Minn./Kerkhoven Murdock Sunburg) (Kerkhoven, Minn./Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg) each recorded six.

Northwestern returns to St. Paul next Saturday, Sept. 11 for its home opener against Luther College.  The Eagles will host their annual Football Frenzy event in conjunction with the game, where one current or prospective student could win free tuition at Northwestern for a year.  Game time is set for 1 p.m. at Reynolds Field.