University of St. Thomas Athletics
1-0
Trinity Int'l
1-1
Fast start sends Football past Trinity
9/7/2019 12:00:00 AM | Football
Senior tight end Grant Slavik had three first-quarter touchdown receptions in his first three touches and running backs Josh Parks and Tom Loeffler combined for 203 rushing yards in two and a half quarters to lead No. 7-ranked St. Thomas to a 69-3 win over Trinity (Ill.) International in Saturday's non-conference football game at O'Shaughnessy Stadium.
The Tommies (1-0) were turnover free and improved to 12-0 in season openers under Coach Glenn Caruso. The Toms scored four TDs in a 7:28 span en route to a 35-0 first-quarter lead. The 35 points were one off the Caruso-era scoring high for any quarter of 36 recorded in two separate games.
The Purple defense had nine sacks, three interceptions, four forced fumbles and a blocked punt, and limited the Trojans (1-1) to minus-44 rushing yards. They forced eight punts and held TIU to 2-of-11 on third-down attempts. Senior Jack Foley, a starting fullback last season, had three sacks in his first career game on defense, and senior Luke Swenson had two sacks, two pass beak-ups, and a forced fumble.
The Purple received TDs from two freshmen in their first collegiate games: Malik Jackson of Pacoima, Claif., blocked a punt and returned it 10 yards for a score, Matthew Brodeur of Andover High converted a 13-yard interception return to the end zone.
St. Thomas junior QB Tommy Dolan, making his first collegiate start, played just beyond two quarters and completed 10-of-13 throws for 147 yards and no turnovers. He connected on TD passes of 29, 17 and 31 yards with Slavik.
Loeffler's mid-game 22- and 74-yard touchdown runs let him finish with 125 yards on seven carries. Parks rushed for 78 yards on 12 carries and scored his 40th and 41st career TDs in his 33th game.
St. Thomas has a bye next weekend and opens MIAC play Sept. 21 at Hamline.
Team Stats
TRI 0, UST 7
UST - Josh Parks 13 yd run (Tyler Knutson kick), 4 plays, 69 yards, TOP 1:36
TRI 0, UST 14
UST - Grant Slavik 29 yd pass from Tommy Dolan (Tyler Knutson kick) 2 plays, 32 yards, TOP 0:43
TRI 0, UST 21
UST - Malik Jackson 10 yd blocked punt return (Tyler Knutson kick)
TRI 0, UST 28
UST - Grant Slavik 17 yd pass from Tommy Dolan (Tyler Knutson kick) 6 plays, 71 yards, TOP 2:29
TRI 0, UST 35
UST - Grant Slavik 31 yd pass from Tommy Dolan (Tyler Knutson kick) 3 plays, 40 yards, TOP 1:28
TRI 0, UST 42
UST - Josh Parks 3 yd run (Tyler Knutson kick), 8 plays, 44 yards, TOP 3:07
TRI 0, UST 49
UST - Tom Loeffler 22 yd run (Tyler Knutson kick), 4 plays, 36 yards, TOP 1:58
TRI 0, UST 56
UST - Tom Loeffler 74 yd run (Tyler Knutson kick), 2 plays, 74 yards, TOP 0:22
TRI 0, UST 62
UST - Wyatt Draper 3 yd run (Rudelius-Palmer kickfailed), 7 plays, 66 yards, TOP 2:45
TRI 3, UST 62
TRI - Carter Andrade 39 yd field goal 8 plays, 43 yards, TOP 4:06
TRI 3, UST 69
UST - Matthew Brodeur 13 yd interception (Rudelius-Palmer kick)
