University of St. Thomas Athletics
Photo by: Dan Borgeson
Offense shines early in Football’s Spring Game, defense finishes strong
5/7/2022 3:39:00 PM | Football
St. Paul, Minn. – The St. Thomas Football team capped off its Spring practice schedule with an inter-team scrimmage, offense vs. defense.
"I'm so tremendously excited about the environment that we had today," said Head Coach Glenn Caruso. "It's just an unbelievable reminder of the enormity of the journey we're on when you get a chance to see, not only the recruits that are coming in next year joining from all over, then you look up at the veranda and you see 100 alumni from the past 30 years that put us in the situation, in addition to the work done of the field.
"Offense got out to a quick start, didn't finish all of the time with the 2s, but the 1s were nearly flawless. The defense didn't have our best start, but we were able to put ourselves in position to make plays and bail ourselves out with interceptions late, which was fantastic," added Caruso.
Sophomore RB Hope Adebayo picked up right where he left off from the 2021 season with a long run to score the scrimmage's first points.
The second-team offense followed it up with a scoring drive via a field goal from Mark Meader. That drive was fueled by long runs from sophomore QB Brandon Smith.
Late in the first quarter, the Tommie defense flexed its muscles with a strong defensive stand including a safety and a pick-six.
In the second quarter, facing a third-and-goal, Adebayo posted a one-yard touchdown scamper.
Late in the fourth quarter senior QB Cade Sexauer found sophomore WR Andrew McElroy for another touchdown for the offense.
The defense answered with a touchdown of its own as junior DB Joshua Slaughter intercepted a pass from sophomore QB Brandon Smith and returned it 20 yards for the pick-six with just over five minutes to play in the second quarter.
The second half started with an offensive touchdown from junior WR Jacob Wildermuth from Sexauer.
The two sides of the ball exchanged blows in the third quarter before starting a running clock fourth quarter.
Sexauer threw yet another touchdown to open the fourth quarter, completing a pass to sophomore TE Aiden Carlson.
Senior DB Kam In posted another pick-six early in the fourth quarter for the defensive side of the ball.
The scrimmage ended with a one-yard touchdown by OL Alex Kuntz, who lined up in the fullback position.
The offense won the game by a score of 59-40.
"The way that we've come together as a brotherhood is what's been most impressive to me. I'm just grateful and blessed to have the opportunity I have and a day like today to put it all together, it was pretty awesome," Caruso concluded.
The Tommies begin the 2022 season on Sept. 1 at Southern Utah.
"I'm so tremendously excited about the environment that we had today," said Head Coach Glenn Caruso. "It's just an unbelievable reminder of the enormity of the journey we're on when you get a chance to see, not only the recruits that are coming in next year joining from all over, then you look up at the veranda and you see 100 alumni from the past 30 years that put us in the situation, in addition to the work done of the field.
"Offense got out to a quick start, didn't finish all of the time with the 2s, but the 1s were nearly flawless. The defense didn't have our best start, but we were able to put ourselves in position to make plays and bail ourselves out with interceptions late, which was fantastic," added Caruso.
Sophomore RB Hope Adebayo picked up right where he left off from the 2021 season with a long run to score the scrimmage's first points.
The second-team offense followed it up with a scoring drive via a field goal from Mark Meader. That drive was fueled by long runs from sophomore QB Brandon Smith.
Late in the first quarter, the Tommie defense flexed its muscles with a strong defensive stand including a safety and a pick-six.
In the second quarter, facing a third-and-goal, Adebayo posted a one-yard touchdown scamper.
Late in the fourth quarter senior QB Cade Sexauer found sophomore WR Andrew McElroy for another touchdown for the offense.
The defense answered with a touchdown of its own as junior DB Joshua Slaughter intercepted a pass from sophomore QB Brandon Smith and returned it 20 yards for the pick-six with just over five minutes to play in the second quarter.
The second half started with an offensive touchdown from junior WR Jacob Wildermuth from Sexauer.
The two sides of the ball exchanged blows in the third quarter before starting a running clock fourth quarter.
Sexauer threw yet another touchdown to open the fourth quarter, completing a pass to sophomore TE Aiden Carlson.
Senior DB Kam In posted another pick-six early in the fourth quarter for the defensive side of the ball.
The scrimmage ended with a one-yard touchdown by OL Alex Kuntz, who lined up in the fullback position.
The offense won the game by a score of 59-40.
"The way that we've come together as a brotherhood is what's been most impressive to me. I'm just grateful and blessed to have the opportunity I have and a day like today to put it all together, it was pretty awesome," Caruso concluded.
The Tommies begin the 2022 season on Sept. 1 at Southern Utah.
Players Mentioned
RB
/ Football
TE
/ Football
OL
/ Football
WR
/ Football
QB
/ Football
DB
/ FootballPress Conference: Tommie Football Postgame vs Presbyterian 11/18/25
Tuesday, November 18
Press Conference: Tommie Football Postgame v Lindenwood 08/28/25
Friday, August 29
Tommie Football Intro Video 2025
Thursday, August 28
Press Conference: Tommie Football Postgame vs Dayton
Saturday, November 23
