GAME STATISTICS

COLLEGEVILLE, Minn. (11/8/08) -- Augsburg College quarterback #Jordan Berg *# (SR, Gaylord, Minn./Sibley East HS) set a new Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference football record for conference passing yardage, and wide receiver #Royce Winford *# (SR, Brooklyn Park, Minn./Osseo HS) tied the Augsburg career record for career receiving touchdowns with a three-score day, but the Auggies (5-4 overall, 3-4 MIAC) could not overcome host St. John's University (7-2 overall, 5-2 MIAC) in a 28-21 setback on Saturday afternoon at Clemens Stadium.

With a 328-yard passing day on 30-of-53 passing and three touchdowns against the Johnnies, Berg surpassed the conference's record for career passing yardage. In just 23 conference games in three seasons, Berg has 7,303 passing yards on 651-of-1,093 passing with 60 touchdowns. He passed the old conference passing yardage record of 7,290 yards, set by Alex Kofoed of St. John's (1994-97). In just 29 games in an Augsburg uniform, Berg already holds every school record for career passing -- 8,666 yards on 782-of-1,322 passing with 72 touchdowns against 36 interceptions. Berg also went over the 3,000-yard mark on the season for the second straight year. He now has 3,115 passing yards this season.

Meanwhile, as part of a six-catch, 109-yard day, Winford caught three touchdown passes -- a 16-yarder from Berg in the first quarter, a season-long 63-yarder from Berg early in the fourth quarter and a two-yard catch in the final two minutes -- to tie the Augsburg career record for touchdown receptions at 40 with receiving legend Scott Hvistendahl (1995-98). Winford also tied Hvistendahl's record for overall career touchdowns with 41; Hvistendahl had one rushing touchdown in his career, while Winford had a punt return for a score in his sophomore season.

Winford tied his single-season record from last year for receiving touchdowns on Saturday, now having 16 this season. With 88 catches for 1,110 yards this year, Winford now has 242 receptions for 3,253 yards in his career, second to Hvistendahl (285 receptions, 4,696 yards) in school history in those career record-lists.

A year after losing 62-7 in Collegeville, the Auggies were in Saturday's contest with the Johnnies, aiming for their first victory over the Johnnies in Collegeville since 1980. However, both Berg interceptions led to Johnnie touchdowns in the second half, giving the Johnnies a 28-14 advantage in the fourth quarter. John Stanton claimed an interception of a Berg pass at the Augsburg 27-yard line late in the third quarter, and five plays later, running back Joe Boyle scored his second touchdown of the day on a four-yard run to give the Johnnies a 21-7 advantage.

Augsburg cut the lead to 21-14 on Winford's 63-yard touchdown reception on the Auggies' second play from scrimmage after the Boyle score, but on Augsburg next possession, a Berg pass was intercepted by Derek Stifter, who returned the ball to the Augsburg 19. Jeff Schnobrich ran the ball to the end zone on the Johnnies' next play. Augsburg scored on its final drive, with Winford's two-yard reception with 1:24 left, but the Auggies could not recover the ensuing onside kick.

Augsburg had a 342-yard offensive day, but the Johnnie defense limited the Auggies to just 14 net rushing yards. Meanwhile, Augsburg's defense limited St. John's to just 265 yards of total offense (101 passing, 164 rushing). The Auggie defense also claimed a fumble recovery and an interception in the game.

#Mike Nourie# (JR, Nicollet, Minn.) led the Auggies with 10 receptions for 119 yards, while #Dan Brown# (FY, Osseo, Minn.) had five catches for 49 yards. For the Johnnies, Schnobrich rushed eight times for 56 yards, while Boyle rushed 16 times for 47 yards, in addition to completing 9-of-16 passes for 101 yards and a touchdown, a 15-yard pass to Bryan Busack in the second quarter.

Defensively, Augsburg's #Andrew Bergeson# (JR, Red Wing, Minn.) led all players with 10 tackles (four solo), while #Alex Glasenapp# (JR, Minneapolis, Minn./South HS) had seven tackles (four solo). #Donovan Bates# (SR, White Bear Lake, Minn.) had a sack, with #Josh Collins# (SO, Rosemount, Minn.) and #Peter Joppru# (FY, Minneapolis, Minn./Washburn HS) also splitting a sack. For the Johnnies, Nick Kotsmith had eight tackles (six solo), while Kyle Schroeder had two sacks and four tackles for loss.

Augsburg closes its season with its annual game at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, hosting Bethel on Thursday (11/13) at 7 p.m. Meanwhile, St. John's is now tied with Carleton (7-2 oveall, 5-2 MIAC) for the league lead, and the Johnnies and Carleton will face each other on Saturday (11/15) at 1 p.m. in Northfield, with the winner getting the conference title and an automatic berth in the NCAA Division III national playoffs.