University of St. Thomas Athletics
9-0
Carleton
1-8
Football explodes in 2nd Q, secures MIAC crown
11/7/2015 12:00:00 AM | Football
No. 5-ranked and unbeaten St. Thomas had a pair of 100-yard rushers and another efficient passing day in Saturday's 80-3 defeat of Carleton in MIAC football at Palmer Field in O'Shaughnessy Stadium.
The Tommies (9-0 overall, 7-0 MIAC) claimed a share of the conference title, the program's fourth in the last six seasons, and secured the MIAC's automatic berth into the NCAA playoffs.
They can win the outright championship and get a 10-0 regular-season if they can defeat 7-2 Gustavus on the road on Nov. 14.
St. Thomas trailed 3-0 early after a 15-play, 70-yard opening drive by the Knights was capped by Brandt Davis' 34-yard field goal. UST led just 8-3 after one quarter before outscoring the Knights 36-0 in the second quarter.
UST junior Jordan Roberts recorded his seventh consecutive 100-plus yard rushing day as he ran 17 times for 104 yards and four TDs. Freshman Tucker Trettel carried nine times for 110 yards and two touchdowns.
Starting QB John Gould completed 9-of-10 passes for 167 yards and one TD with one pickoff. Backup QB Alex Fenske completed 8-of-9 for 175 yards and three TDs.
St. Thomas had six gains of 40 or more yards and finished with 628 yards on 61 plays. UST didn't punt, and rolled up 26 first downs.
The Tommie special teams contributed Jack Gilliland's 77-yard punt return for a touchdown; a blocked punt by Joe Reed; a successful onside kick; a fumble recovery by the kickoff team; and three two-point conversions.
The UST defense allowed 179 total yards, including just 65 passing yards on 13 completions.
St. Thomas, which has scored 68 touchdowns in nine games, broke its home-field scoring record of 78 points set four weeks earlier.
It was the final regular-season home game for 26 Tommie seniors, and five of them scored touchdowns, four on pass receptions. Senior TE Charlie Dowdle scored his 21st career touchdown, a 59-yarder in the second quarter. More than 100 UST players saw action in the game.
Dylan Saline had a forced fumble and 12 solo tackles to lead the Knights.
Team Stats
CAR 3, UST-MEN 0
CAR - Brandt Davis 34 yd field goal 15 plays, 70 yards, TOP 8:05
CAR 3, UST-MEN 8
UST-MEN - Jordan Roberts 6 yd run (MattChristenson pass), 9 plays, 65 yards, TOP 3:06
CAR 3, UST-MEN 16
UST-MEN - Jordan Roberts 14 yd run (Charlie Dowdle rush), 3 plays, 66 yards, TOP 1:15
CAR 3, UST-MEN 23
UST-MEN - Jordan Roberts 5 yd run (Paul Graupner kick), 5 plays, 21 yards, TOP 1:16
CAR 3, UST-MEN 30
UST-MEN - Jack Gilliland 77 yd punt return (Paul Graupner kick)
CAR 3, UST-MEN 37
UST-MEN - Jordan Roberts 4 yd run (Paul Graupner kick), 7 plays, 51 yards, TOP 2:03
CAR 3, UST-MEN 44
UST-MEN - Charlie Dowdle 59 yd pass from John Gould (Paul Graupner kick) 1 plays, 59 yards, TOP 0:09
CAR 3, UST-MEN 51
UST-MEN - Ryan Bradley 40 yd pass from Alex Fenske (Paul Graupner kick) 6 plays, 72 yards, TOP 2:42
CAR 3, UST-MEN 59
UST-MEN - PeteFitzsimmons 28 yd pass from Alex Fenske (Charlie Dowdle pass) 6 plays, 70 yards, TOP 2:32
CAR 3, UST-MEN 66
UST-MEN - Tucker Trettel 55 yd run (Paul Graupner kick), 1 plays, 55 yards, TOP 0:10
CAR 3, UST-MEN 73
UST-MEN - Tucker Trettel 6 yd run (BryanSteinsapir kick), 5 plays, 58 yards, TOP 2:31
CAR 3, UST-MEN 80
UST-MEN - Teddy Andrews 4 yd pass from Alex Fenske (BryanSteinsapir kick) 7 plays, 43 yards, TOP 3:35
