Football plays like 49ers... and needs every point in 49-42 win

St. Paul, Minn. -- A monster day by WR-KR Andrew McElroy helped Tommie Football push its winning streak to seven games and stay alone in first place in a crowded Pioneer Football League race after Saturday's wild 49-42 home defeat of the University of San Diego at O'Shaughnessy Stadium.

The last time Coach Glenn Caruso's Tommie teams gave up 42 points at home in a victory was... never. As in no times in his 14 seasons here before Saturday.

You have to go back 26 seasons until you find the last Tommie team to allow 42 or more points in a victory (55-54 home win over Carleton in 1996). And only four times before today have Caruso's teams allowed 42 or more points or more, all on the road or a neutral field. That short list includes a 49-35 loss to Mount Union in the 2015 NCAA Division III title game; and FCS defeats at Davidson (42-15) and at Northern Iowa (44-3) in 2021, and at Southern Utah (44-13) back in August 2022.

St. Thomas needed all seven of its touchdowns after one of those games that give gray hairs to defensive coaching staffs. There were 942 yards of total offense, plus another 298 return yards recorded by both teams. Those yards helped produce 13 touchdowns -- including two TD passes thrown by wide receivers (one for each team).

San Diego (3-4 overall, 2-2 Pioneer) had no turnovers, blocked a punt and a field-goal try, converted 11-of-17 on third and fourth downs, posted 456 yards of offense as well as 184 return yards, and received 209 all-purpose yards by Re-al Mitchell... but still lost by seven points. The Toreros missed both field goals they tried (35 and 47 yards) and were hurt by 11 penalties for 124 yards.

St. Thomas (7-1 overall, 5-0 Pioneer) had one turnover, compiled 486 yards, accumulated seven tackles for loss (four sacks), were called for only four penalties, and got record statistical days from McElroy and senior QB Cade Sexauer. The Toms needed that to overcome a batch of special teams errors that included a muffed punt that was recovered on the Tommie three-yard-line; a blocked punt; and two deflating punt returns.

McElroy had a 95-yard kickoff return and caught seven passes for 200 yards, including a 75-yard TD catch and run. The sophomore had 314 all-purpose yards with his 121 yards on kickoff returns and some lost punt return yards.

Sexauer played his best college game and now has thrown 15 touchdown passes with only four interceptions on the season. He had a personal-best 320 yards of total offense. The senior ran for 34 yards and a TD, and completed 13-of-19 passes for a career-high 286 yards.

WR Wesley Juszczak caught two TD passes and finished with three catches for 88 yards, including a 36-yard strike on a trick play thrown by freshman WR Bryce Boyd.

Sophomore RB Shawn Shipman bolted 70 yards for a second-quarter TD -- a play that was nearly lost in the parade of quirky plays and bounces. Jack Mohler (10 tackles, one sack) and Jonathan Bunce (10 tackles 1.5 sacks) led a solid defensive effort that denied USD at crucial moments.

With three games to go in the conference race, the 5-0 Tommies hold a one-game lead over Davidson, Dayton and Butler (all 4-1 in the PFL).

Next Up

St. Thomas plays Saturday Nov. 5 at Valparaiso.

Did You Know?

St. Thomas avenged a 27-24 road loss to San Diego in 2021. In that game, there was one offensive or return gain beyond 40 yards. On Saturday, there were seven gains of 40-plus yards.

Saturday's game was tied 7-7, 14-14, 21-21, 28-28 and 35-35.

The last Tommie to record a 200-yard receiving day before McElroy did it Saurday was Charlie Dowdle in the 2015 season opening win over UW-Eau Claire with 209 yards.

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Team Stats

Cade Sexauer

Bryce Boyd