St. Thomas runs all over Stetson to improve to 4-2 overall and 3-1 in Pioneer League Play

DeLand Fla. – Sophomore RB Hope Adebayo gashed the Stetson defense for a 78-yard touchdown on the game's opening offensive play in his first collegiate start. Adebayo and the Tommies rushing attack propelled St. Thomas to an impressive 38-7 win over Stetson in the program's first trip to Florida in over 73 years.

Following a one-play, 78-yard opening drive by the offense, the St. Thomas defense was not to be outdone as it recorded 2.0 sacks on their first drive of the game.

With 2:44 remaining in the first quarter, junior LB Tommy Shelstad intercepted a pass, returned it 53 yards to the Stetson 2-yard line and was forced out of bounds by Hatters QB Justin Agner, who injured himself in the play and did not return to the game. The interception set up a 3-yard touchdown rush by Adebayo.

On the ensuing possession, the harassing Tommie defense forced a fumble on third-string QB Alex Piccirilli from sophomore Jonathan Bunce. The opportunistic Purple offense scored its third touchdown of the opening half on the legs of Adebayo to open up a 21-0 lead after one quarter of play.

Senior QB Cade Sexauer found his way into the endzone in the second quarter and a 27-yard field goal by sophomore K Louis Hyde gave St. Thomas a 31-0 lead heading into intermission.

In a much quieter second half, the Tommies and the Hatters exchanged touchdowns in the third quarter. St. Thomas' only score of the second half was Adebayo's fourth rushing touchdown of the afternoon, this one from 14 yards out.

Previously, the Tommies best single-game individual rusher on the season was Adebayo, who finished the Butler game with a then season-best 75 yards. The sophomore rusher amassed 147 yards in the first half and finished the game with 182 rushing yards and four touchdowns.

Sexauer finished the game completing 8-of-18 passing attempts for 87 yards, his favorite target on the afternoon was junior WR Wesley Juszczak who caught four passes for 47 yards.

Defensively, the Purple recorded 6.0 sacks in the game, led by Shelstad who finished the game with 2.0 sacks in addition to his interception. Senior DB Luke Glenna and freshman DB Yusef Leak also recorded interceptions in the contest. Junior LB Jack Mohler led St. Thomas in tackles, recording 8 total in the game, including four solo stops.

St. Thomas will enjoy a bye week, before hosting Marist, who is 3-2 overall and sits atop the Pioneer League with a 3-0 record in conference play.

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Team Stats

Cade Sexauer

Tommy Dolan

Players Mentioned

Hope Adebayo

Jonathan Bunce

Luke Glenna

Louis Hyde

Wesley Juszczak

Yusef Leak

Jack Mohler

Cade Sexauer

Tommy Shelstad