In their 13th season under head coach John Gagliardi, the Johnnies compiled an 11–0 record (7–0 against conference opponents) and won the MIAC championship.
On defense, the team opened the season with four consecutive shutouts and held seven of eleven opponents scoreless.
The Johnnies advanced to the NAIA playoffs and defeated Fairmont State in the semifinals by a 28–7 score at Metropolitan Stadium in Bloomington, Minnesota.
[1] On December 11, Saint John's faced the Linfield Wildcats from Oregon in the NAIA national championship game which was then known as the Champion Bowl.
[22] Eight Saint John's players were named to the All-MIAC team selected by the conference coaches: halfback Jim Shiely; offensive end Dave Griffen; offensive tackle Mike Collins (the only unanimous pick); center Dennis Sharkey; defensive tackle Fred Cremer; defensive end Joe Mucha; linebacker John Ford; and defensive halfback Pat Whalin.