Game Leaders
Team Stats
Passing Yards
Rushing Yards
Turnovers
Time of Poss.
No. 4-ranked St. Thomas scored two touchdowns in a 13-second span late in the first quarter and went on to win 57-17 Saturday over UW-Stout in its 2016 home football opener at Palmer Field.
The Tommies (2-0) got points from 10 different players, had four takeaways, and had three kick returns or receptions of 50-plus yards.
UST improved to 18-0 in regular-season non-conference games under Glenn Caruso, and ran its Palmer Field win streak to 13 games. The Toms also surpassed 30 points for the 21st consecutive game dating back to 2014. The Toms have won their last 60 games when they allow 19 or fewer points, and 16 games in a row when they score a defensive TD.
It was just the third football meeting of these institutions and first since 2003, and the first Tommie win in the all-time series.
Jordan Dabney had TD catches of 42 and 13 yards for Stout (1-1) and finished with six catches for 76 yards.
The Blue Devils rolled up 18 first downs and 276 yards of offense but were hurt by 11 penalties for 102 yards. The Tommie defense intercepted two passes, recovered wo Stout fumbles, had three sacks, and limited Stout to 4-of-16 on third and fourth downs.
UST junior TE Jackson Hull's 21-yard touchdown catch and Carter Schmitz' PAT kick put St. Thomas ahead 7-0 with 1:45 to go in the first quarter.
Two plays later, senior DB Michael Alada intecepted a pass and returned it 23 yards to the end zone for a 13-0 lead. The Tommies scored 36 points in a 14:55 span of the first half and led 36-7 at halftime.
St. Thomas had 311 yards of total offense but added 164 return yards, including a 57-yard punt return by Nick Waldvogel to the Stout one-yard line that set up the game's third TD.
Jordan Roberts rushed 20 times for 91 yards and one TD, and Waldvogel had 106 all-purpose yards on seven touches. The Toms converted 9-of-20 on third and fourth downs.
Tucker Trettel had two short TD runs, and Tanner Vik had two fourth-quarter TD catches. Joe Reed caught a 71-yard TD strike from Alex Fenske in the third period. Jacques Perra had one pass tipped and intercepted, but completed 5-of-8 overall for 45 yards and two TDs. Fenske passed for 147 yards and two TDs. Holder Dylan Andrew passed for two points and rushed for two points on special teams.
The Tommie defense had 11 tackles for loss. Alada had two interceptions; Micah Hausman had a sack an forced fumble; and Steve Harrell and Matt Mitchell had fumble recoveries.
UST opens its conference season Sept. 17 at home against Carleton.