FB's John Kaiser named MIAC Player of Week

October 4, 2004
St. Thomas defensive end John Kaiser (SR-Mora, Minn.) Monday was named MIAC Defensive Player of the Week.

Kaiser had an interception return for a touchdown, two forced fumbles, and two sacks among his 3.5 tackles for loss in the Tommies' 24-21 victory over St. Olaf. With the Oles' facing 4th-and-4 at the UST 45-yard-line and just over 1:00 remaining, Kaiser sacked Ole QB Jason Wilsey and stripped the ball to end the St. Olaf comeback bid.

It was an emotional day for Kaiser, who was mourning the death of a former teammate and roommate. Jon Just, who died last Wednesday in a motorcycle accident, played for the Tommies as a linebacker and placekicker in 2001 and 2002. His funeral was Monday in Chanhassen. Just is survived by his wife, Melissa, his parents and two brothers.

Kaiser's 25-yard interception return was his first career TD and the 71st touchdown involving brothers Greg, Andy and John Kaiser at St. Thomas over the last eight seasons. Greg, a three-year starter at QB, ran for 15 TDs and threw 54 touchdown passes. Andy, a DL and TE who started all 40 games and started on both offense and defense part of his senior season, caught three TD passes from Greg and also scored a defensive touchdown after an inhterception.

It's also the fifth MIAC Player of the Week honor for the Kaiser family as Greg was a three-time offensive honoree and Andy also won the award on defense.

John Kaiser has a 3.72 gpa and later this month will be nominated for CoSIDA Academic All-America consideration. Greg and Andy were each Academic All-Americans in their careers.

St. Thomas is 3-1 overall and 2-1 in the MIAC and has a bye Oct. 9. The Tommies resume play Oct. 16 at Bethel.

see MIAC news release here