D3-CFB Game Preview: Saint John’s (MN) Johnnies (1-0) vs. Hamline Pipers (1-0)

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Kickoff: 1:00 PM CT
Venue: Klas Field, St. Paul, Minnesota (Capacity: ~3,500)
Broadcast: ESPN+ / MIAC Network

Weather Forecast (St. Paul, MN)

Temperature: ~70°F (21°C) at kickoff, cooling into the mid-60s by the 4th quarter

Conditions: Partly sunny, light winds (5–8 mph)

Impact: Ideal early fall football weather; no disruptions expected.

Injury Report

Saint John’s Johnnies (MIAC):

QB Aidan Bouman (ankle) – Probable.

RB Henry Trost (hamstring) – Questionable.

LB Ethan Wallace (shoulder) – Out.

Hamline Pipers (MIAC):

QB Tyler Smith (starter, 3 TDs, 2 INTs through 2 games) – Healthy.

RB Chris Johnson (knee) – Probable.

WR Evan Miller (concussion protocol) – Doubtful.

Key Player Matchups

QB Aidan Bouman (SJU) vs. Hamline Secondary

Bouman’s accuracy and deep-ball ability will test a Piper defense that has struggled against top MIAC quarterbacks.

RB Henry Trost (SJU) vs. Hamline Front Seven

If active, Trost’s power running could control tempo and wear down Hamline’s defense.

QB Tyler Smith (Hamline) vs. SJU Pass Rush

Smith has shown flashes but must avoid turnovers against one of the MIAC’s most aggressive defensive fronts.

WR Chris Johnson (Hamline) vs. SJU Corners

Johnson’s ability to win contested catches is key if Miller remains sidelined.

Recent Team Form

Saint John’s Johnnies (2–0, MIAC)

9/6/25: W 38–14 vs. UW–Eau Claire

9/13/25: W 31–17 vs. Minnesota-Morris

Trend: Offense averaging 34.5 PPG; defense allowing just 15.5 PPG.

Hamline Pipers (1–1, MIAC)

9/6/25: L 41–13 vs. St. Scholastica

9/13/25: W 28–21 vs. Crown

Trend: Offense averaging 20 PPG; defense allowing 31 PPG.

Series History

Saint John’s has dominated the series historically.

Last meeting (2024): Saint John’s defeated Hamline 56–7.

The Johnnies have won 25 straight meetings dating back to 1997.

Hamline’s last win in the series came in 1996.

Betting Trends

Saint John’s:

4–1 ATS in last 5 games.

3 of last 5 games have gone under the total.

5–0 SU in last 5 MIAC games.

Hamline:

1–4 ATS in last 5 games.

4 of last 5 games have gone over the total.

1–4 SU in last 5 home games.

Head-to-Head: Saint John’s has covered in 4 of the last 5 meetings.

Historical Betting Results

Saint John’s: Profitable ATS as a heavy favorite; unders common due to defensive dominance.

Hamline: Struggles ATS as a home underdog; overs frequent due to defensive lapses.

MIAC Trends: Ranked MIAC teams cover ~62% of the time in September conference play.

Game Odds

Saint John’s (MN) Johnnies         – 28.5

Hamline Pipers                                 52.5

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, September 19, 2025