University of St. Thomas Athletics
Saint John's
Football hangs in, but falls at SJU 51-34
10/27/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
Tommie junior QB David Sauer threw four TD passes, but host St. John's stayed unbeaten in MIAC football with Saturday's 51-34 win over St. Thomas before 11,000 fans at Clemens Stadium.
The Tommies (2-6 overall, 2-4 MIAC) rallied from a 28-7 deficit and pulled within 35-28 early in the fourth quarter. They later trailed 44-34 before missing a two-point conversion with 5:00 to go.
St. Thomas actually outgained the No. 3-ranked Johnnies (9-0, 7-0) in total offense, 453-419 yards. But two lost fumbles, a bad snap on a punt that led to a safety, and a late interception contributed to the defeat.
Sauer completed 24-of-41 passes for 334 yards as he helped UST put the most points up by a SJU foe in Collegeville since 1996. It was the first time St. John's allowed five TDs in several seasons, and most yards gained by a Johnnie foe since 2001.
Senior P.J. Theisen caught two TD passes and overall had nine receptions for 124 yards. Jake Casey also had two TDs as he rushed for 133 yards -- his eighth career 100-yard rushing game -- and caught four passes for 73 yards.
Adam Johannsen had an interception, Jeffrey Hilliard blocked a punt and Tony Danna had seven tackles for the Tommie defense.
The Tommies play their final home game next Saturday vs. Hamline (1 p.m.).
