Johnnies fade late after Sura injury

WAVERLY, IOWA – Wartburg used two long scoring drives in the fourth quarter to rally for a 21-10 victory over St. John's in the second round of the NCAA Division III playoffs on Saturday.

The Johnnies, who played most of the game without MIAC MVP Sam Sura, took a 10-7 lead early in the fourth quarter on a 25-yard field goal by Alexi Johnson.

The Knights (12-0) responded with drives of 61 and 84 yards to take a 21-10 lead with 4 minutes, 33 seconds left. The Johnnies (10-2) had two possessions in the final five minutes but were unable to muster a first down.

Sura, a junior from South St. Paul, dislocated his right shoulder on his first carry. He attempted to continue before leaving the game after the Johnnies' second possession. Sura, who had rushed for a school-record 1,752 yards entering the game, finished with 17 yards on three carries.

After a scoreless first half, Wartburg opened the second half with an 82-yard scoring drive to take a 7-0 lead.

The Johnnies tied the game less than four minutes later on a 15-yard TD pass from Nick Martin to J.T. Ford.

After the Knights took a 14-10 lead on a 1-yard TD run by Brandon Domeyer, the Johnnies drove 70 yards in 12 plays to the Knights' 12-yard line. But on third down, the Knights recovered a Johnnies fumble.

Josh Bungum rushed for 81 yards and had three receptions for 65 yards to pace the Johnnies offense.

Wartburg will play at defending Division III national champion Wisconsin-Whitewater next Saturday in the quarterfinals.

The Warhawks (12-0) defeated Wabash 38-14 on Saturday. The victory was the 29th in a row — the longest active streak in college football — for the Warhawks, who are seeking their sixth national title in the past eight seasons.