University of St. Thomas Athletics
Herzog named PFL Defensive Player of the Week
10/1/2023 3:26:00 PM | Football
Fourth Tommie to earn PFL weekly honors this season
ST. LOUIS, MO.– The University of St. Thomas football has certainly made headlines to start the 2023 Pioneer Football League (PFL) season. After earning their second conference win of the year, the Tommies made Sunday headlines, as Luke Herzog was named the PFL Defensive Player of the Week Saturday afternoon.
Herzorg garnered his first PFL Defensive Player of the Week honor this season after a superb week in St. Thomas' 20-14 win over Dayton on Saturday. The senior linebacker filled the stat sheet in every way, tallying six total tackles, including one tackle for loss, one fumble recovery, one pass break up and one quarterback hurry in the victory. Though quiet in the first quarter, Herzog came up with a huge play in the second, as his fumble recovery at midfield stopped a potential Flyer scoring drive in the closing minutes of the half. He truly came to life, though, in the second half. Herzog helped produce big play after big play in the third and fourth quarters, including a huge tackle for loss on third and one to bog a potential Dayton scoring drive.
It was the fourth quarter where Herzog came up clutch, as he played a hand in two big plays that ultimately helped St. Thomas leave Ohio with another PFL win. With the Tommies ahead 20-7, Herzog broke up a Dante Casciola pass on third and 10, which eventually lead to the Flyers turning the ball over on downs. Later, on Dayton's final drive of the game, Herzog and fifth year Tommy Shelstad (Bloomington, Minn. / Holy Angels) sacked Casciola, pushing the Flyers out of the red zone and killing to home team's momentum in the closing seconds of regulation. Additionally, Herzog and the Tommie defense held the potent Dayton rush game to 88 yards on 34 carries.
Herzog and the rest of St. Thomas will return to action on Saturday, as the team hosts Butler University in a key PFL matchup. Kickoff for the Homecoming game is 12:00 p.m. CT in St. Paul, Minnesota.
