University of St. Thomas Athletics
Photo by: Dan Borgeson
Football cracks national AFCA top-25 poll in FCS
10/31/2022 10:04:00 AM | Football
Waco, Texas - Riding a seven-game winning streak -- including October victories over last year's conference co-champions Davidson and San Diego -- St. Thomas Football moved into the AFCA top-25 poll for FCS teams on Monday, a program first in any sport in the Division I era.
The Purple (7-1 overall, 5-0 Pioneer) are ranked No. 25 in the poll released Monday. The Toms received 69 points this week after collecting 17 points in last week's poll.
The FCS top five stayed the same with South Dakota State, Montana State, Sacramento State, North Dakota State and Jackson State.
No. 17 Princeton, the Ivy League leader, and the Tommies are the lone non-scholarship programs in this week's top 25.
St. Thomas was one of only three Division III teams to finish in the top-20 of D-III polls for 11 consecutive years from 2009-2019, with Mount Union and Mary Hardin-Baylor. It now joins a short list of teams to be ranked in the top-25 at two different NCAA levels during one five-year span.
Hot Streak
Coach Glenn Caruso's team is coming off a 49-42 home victory over San Diego -- a frenetic game that included tie scores at 7-7, 14-14, 21-21, 28-28 and 35-35. The Toms had seven offensive or special team plays gain 40 or more yards on the game.
That victory avenged a 27-24 loss to San Diego in 2021 and handed the Toreros just their fifth loss in their last 55 conference games.
St. Thomas set several personal bests and D-I era team records. QB Cade Sexauer threw for a career-best 286 yards and surpassed 300 yards in total offense. WR-KR Andrew McElroy was named Pioneer Football League Offensive Player of the Week after he set D-I era bests with 200 receiving yards, a 95-yard kickoff return, a 75-yard TD catch and run, and 314 all-purpose yards while scoring three touchdowns.
The Purple head into November with three remaining games -- Nov. 5 at Valparaiso; Nov. 12 at home vs. Stetson; and Nov. 19 at Butler -- looking to become the first St. Thomas team in the D-I era to win or share a conference championship. At 5-0, the Toms hold a one-game lead on 4-1 teams Davidson, Dayton and Butler, with Valparaiso at 3-2.
Did You Know?
Shawn Shipman rushed for 105 yards and a TD against San Diego. The Toms have had three different tailbacks rush for a 100-yard game over the five conference games thus far as Gabriel Abel rushed for 100 vs. Drake and Hope Adebayo rushed for 132 at Marist.
Sexauer has thrown 15 touchdown passes with just four interceptions on the season, and his offensive line has only allowed three sacks in five conference games.
St. Thomas has come from behind to win in three consecutive games.
The balanced Toms are averaging 192 rushing yards and 202 passing yards a game.
The Toms have won 36 consecutive regular-season home games; 25 consecutive home games; and nine consecutive games played on Saturdays.
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Click HERE to access AFCA news release
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The Purple (7-1 overall, 5-0 Pioneer) are ranked No. 25 in the poll released Monday. The Toms received 69 points this week after collecting 17 points in last week's poll.
The FCS top five stayed the same with South Dakota State, Montana State, Sacramento State, North Dakota State and Jackson State.
No. 17 Princeton, the Ivy League leader, and the Tommies are the lone non-scholarship programs in this week's top 25.
St. Thomas was one of only three Division III teams to finish in the top-20 of D-III polls for 11 consecutive years from 2009-2019, with Mount Union and Mary Hardin-Baylor. It now joins a short list of teams to be ranked in the top-25 at two different NCAA levels during one five-year span.
Hot Streak
Coach Glenn Caruso's team is coming off a 49-42 home victory over San Diego -- a frenetic game that included tie scores at 7-7, 14-14, 21-21, 28-28 and 35-35. The Toms had seven offensive or special team plays gain 40 or more yards on the game.
That victory avenged a 27-24 loss to San Diego in 2021 and handed the Toreros just their fifth loss in their last 55 conference games.
St. Thomas set several personal bests and D-I era team records. QB Cade Sexauer threw for a career-best 286 yards and surpassed 300 yards in total offense. WR-KR Andrew McElroy was named Pioneer Football League Offensive Player of the Week after he set D-I era bests with 200 receiving yards, a 95-yard kickoff return, a 75-yard TD catch and run, and 314 all-purpose yards while scoring three touchdowns.
The Purple head into November with three remaining games -- Nov. 5 at Valparaiso; Nov. 12 at home vs. Stetson; and Nov. 19 at Butler -- looking to become the first St. Thomas team in the D-I era to win or share a conference championship. At 5-0, the Toms hold a one-game lead on 4-1 teams Davidson, Dayton and Butler, with Valparaiso at 3-2.
Did You Know?
Shawn Shipman rushed for 105 yards and a TD against San Diego. The Toms have had three different tailbacks rush for a 100-yard game over the five conference games thus far as Gabriel Abel rushed for 100 vs. Drake and Hope Adebayo rushed for 132 at Marist.
Sexauer has thrown 15 touchdown passes with just four interceptions on the season, and his offensive line has only allowed three sacks in five conference games.
St. Thomas has come from behind to win in three consecutive games.
The balanced Toms are averaging 192 rushing yards and 202 passing yards a game.
The Toms have won 36 consecutive regular-season home games; 25 consecutive home games; and nine consecutive games played on Saturdays.
--
Click HERE to access AFCA news release
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