University of St. Thomas Athletics
Northwestern
Football gets 41-0 win, first shutout since '03
11/15/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
St. Thomas closed out a seven-win football season with Saturday's 41-0 road win at once-beaten Northwestern College in non-conference play in Roseville.
In their first varsity football game against the Eagles, the Tommies (7-3) posted their first shutout since 
a 54-0 blanking of Hamline in 2003, covering 55 games. The UST defense held the Eagles (8-2) to minus-18 yards rushing. They preserved a shutout as their backups stopped NWC four times on the one-yard line in the final minute.
Northwestern was shutout for the first time since a 2004 loss at St. John's, 48-0. It was the Eagles' first home shutout defeat since 1998.
St. Thomas outgained the Eagles 294-22 yards in the first half and 475-149 on the game. The Toms had 30 first downs and reached the end zone on all six trips inside the red zone.
Ben Wartman had his seventh 100-plus yard rushing game of the year as he ran for 116 yards on 22 carries in just under three quarters of play. Wartman finished the season with 1,311 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns. Freshman Colin Tobin rushed 13 times for 94 yards.
Freshman QB Greg Morse threw three first-half touchdown passes, two going to tight end Jake Friederichs (10 and seven yards). Morse played just one drive in the second half and completed 14 of 24 passes for 153 yards and two interceptions.
Bryan Villar had an interception and freshman linebacker Willie Baregi had two sacks.
After taking seventh place last season, the Tommies finished in a three-way tie for second place in the MIAC race with Carleton and Concordia.
St. Thomas finished 4-0 against the other four Division III teams from Ramsey County -- Macalester, Hamline, Bethel and Northwestern.
According to the Nothwestern athletic web site, NWC is apparently headed for the National Christian College Athletic Association¹s (NCCAA) Victory Bowl. Malone University (Canton, Ohio) will likely be the Eagles' opponent next Saturday.
Click here for box score:
http://athletics.nwc.edu/newweb/football/2008stats/n15stnw.htm
PHOTOS: Above Michael Duncombe, who scored two 6-yard TD runs in second half (Greg Smith photo)
Coach Caruso and players celebrate (Greg Smith photo)
Freshman Colin Tobin rushed for 94 yards (Greg Smith photo)
Ben Wartman had his seventh 100-plus yard rushing game. (Greg Smith photo)
Jeffrey Hilliard (22) is one of nine defensive starters to return in 2009. (Greg Smith photo)
Tommie fans enjoy the shutout. (Greg Smith photo)
Coach Caruso and the Toms' 14 seniors (Greg Smith photo)
Eric Taylor kicked four PATs on the day. (Greg Smith photo)
To view more Greg Smith action photos, click here:
