University of St. Thomas Athletics
Loras
Football can't escape early hole, falls 31-23
9/8/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
Host Loras built an early 28-0 lead and held on to post a 31-23 victory over St. Thomas in Saturday's non-conference football game in Dubuque, Iowa.
Jake Casey had two short TD runs and P.J. Theisen added a TD catch for UST (0-2). Loras was outgained by UST 358-348 in total yards but had no turnovers. Meanwhile, UST lost a fumble and was intercepted three times and are now minus-six in turnovers on the season.
Led by senior QB Matt McLaughlin, Loras also converted 11-of-18 third-down situations to keep the UST offense off the field. The Duhawks (1-1) used two interceptions in the first 7:00 to help build a 14-0 lead.
Backup QB Kris Kopp, a sophomore from Woodbury, came off the bench and rallied the Tommies to three TDs over the final two and a half quarters. Theisen's TD with 4:21 left pulled UST within eight points, but a fake on a PAT kick was snuffed. UST got the ball back with 1:09 and no time outs needing 78 yards to have a chance to tie. After one first down, an interception with 21 seconds left dashed their last hopes.
After netting just 35 yards and one first down on its first five possessions over the game's first 22:00, UST finished with 19 first downs and passed for 307 yards. In his first extensive varsity action, Kopp completed 20-of-35 passes for 282 yards. Tony Margarit had five catches for 87 yards, and Theisen had five receptions for 75 yards.
Freshman Matt McQuillan had three punt returns for 74 yards and six kickoff returns for 110 yards. Freshman Sean Barrett kicked a 30-yard field goal and was 2-for-2 on PAT kicks.
St. Thomas opens its home and MIAC season next Saturday vs. Gustavus (1 p.m.).
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