Johnnies Edged Out in NCAA Semifinals

The St. John’s University football team's season ended in a heartbreaking loss to UW-Whitewater on Saturday afternoon.

The Johnnies got on the board first, scoring a rushing touchdown halfway through the opening quarter. The Warhawks responded with a field goal and a safety to close the gap to 7-5.

Whitewater took their first lead of the game at the beginning of the second quarter. They kicked in their second field goal of the day to pass SJU 8-7. Just a few minutes later, the Johnnies found the endzone again and hopped out to 14-8. The teams continued to trade points, and by halftime, St. John's was behind again 22-21.

In the third quarter, each team only scored a field goal and the score shifted to 25-24, advantage Whitewater. Everything came down to a close fourth quarter. The Warhawks scored a touchdown, complete with extra point, to extend their lead to 32-24. Halfway through the quarter though, St. John's scored their final touchdown of the day and completed a two-point conversion attempt to tie up the game.

UW-Whitewater kicked in a field goal to take the lead with just over two minutes remaining. SJU got the ball back on their 42-yard line with 2:04 left in the game, plenty of time to march down the field, but their would-be comeback was stopped short when the Warhawks snagged an interception on the first play of the drive. The Johnnies lost it 35-32.

Jackson Erdmann completed 29 of 50 for 342 yards, one touchdown, one interception, and seven sacks. He completed his career at SJU just 28 yards short of the Division III single-season passing record which stands at 5,068.

Henry Trost had six carries for 18 yards and two touchdowns. Kai Barber added six carries for 15 yards and a touchdown. Ravi Alston racked up 11 catches for 143 yards and a touchdown.

The Johnnies end the season 12-2 overall. Erdmann is a finalist for the 2019 Gagliardi Trophy. The winner will be announced on Friday.