Turnovers Cost Saints

NSO – NEWS RELEASE

COLLEGEVILLE, Minn. (csssaints.com) – The St. Scholastica football team committed eight turnovers, all interceptions, in a 35-7 loss to No. 13 Saint John’s University in the first round of NCAA Division III playoffs on Saturday at Clemens Stadium.

The Saints got the ball first and put together a quality drive moving the ball down to the Johnnies 23-yard-line. However, back-to-back penalties backed CSS up and the drive ended on an interception off a desperation heave on third down.

On Saint John’s first possession, the Johnnies drove it inside the 30 of St. Scholastica behind the legs of Sam Sura. However, the St. Scholastica defense held up and held the Johnnies on downs.

The first quarter ended scoreless, but on the first play of second quarter Sura jogged in from 12 yards out to put the Johnnies up 7-0.

The Saints would commit three turnovers in the second quarter. However the CSS defense was able to contain the Johnnies until the last minute of the half. On a third down play, the Saints had Saint John’s stopped inside the 10 well short of the first down, but a facemask penalty prolonged the drive. The Johnnies took advantage and Sura plunged in from three yards out to go into halftime with a 14-0 lead.

St. Scholastica was held to 90 yards of total offense in the first half, while the Johnnies had 161 yards. Of the 35 total plays the Johnnies called, Sura touched the ball 24 times with 21 rushing attempts and three pass receptions. Sura had 107 yards rushing at halftime. Andrew Smith (Rogers, Minn./Rogers HS) had three receptions for 34 yards for the Saints.

The Saints tried a surprise onside kick to open the second half and recovered it, but after a discussion amongst the officials it was ruled that it was touched before the ball went 10 yards and Saint John’s was awarded possession. On the ensuing possession, the Johnnies were able to pick up a third-and-eight to keep the drive going. It was later capped by Nick Martin to Zack Sundly 9-yard touchdown to make it 21-0.

After a CSS turnover, the Saints held the Johnnies on fourth-and-goal. Unfortunately, St. Scholastica would be intercepted again and Saint John’s took advantage with a Sura one-yard plunge to make it 28-0. After the Johnnies recorded another pick, Martin found Rob Voshell for a 34-yard reception to make it 35-0 at the end of the third quarter.

The Saints were able to find the end zone in the fourth quarter on a Preston Robinson (Northfield, Minn./Northfield HS) 33-yard touchdown run. A Mike Theismann (St. Cloud, Minn./St. Cloud Apollo HS) extra point made it 35-7. CSS’ final drive would end inside the Saint John’s 5-yard-line to make the final score 35-7.

The St. Scholastica defense held Saint John’s to 313 yards of total offense, while the CSS offense had 282 yards of offense, but had those eight turnovers. Robinson ran for 67 yards on 10 carries and that one score. Robinson also had six receptions. Chris Gassert (Moose Lake, Minn./Moose Lake HS) had 40 yards on seven carries. Tyler Harper (Minneapolis, Minn./DeLaSalle HS) threw for 146 yards and also ran for 22 yards.

Alex Mangan (Eagan, Minn./Eagan HS) and Jared Moran (St. Michael, Minn./St. Michael-Albertville HS) led a solid defensive attack for the Saints with each recording 10 tackles. Moran also recorded a sack. The Saints had five sacks in the contest, including one by Blake Cedarleaf (Mahtomedi, Minn./Mahtomedi HS), which gives him the program record for career sacks (14.5). Mason Bloomquist (Owatonna, Minn./Owatonna HS ) had nine tackles, a sack and a pass breakup.

Sura rushed for 147 yards and three scores for the Johnnies. Nick Martin was 9-of-13 for 128 yards and two scores. The Johnnies will travel to face Wartburg College (Iowa) in the second round next Saturday as the Knights defeated the University of St. Thomas 37-31.

The Saints will say goodbye to 17 seniors who have made four straight NCAA Division III playoff appearances and have four Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) championships. The senior class will finish with an overall record of 37-7.