University of St. Thomas Athletics
St. Thomas named Stats Perform FCS National Team of the Week
9/28/2026 8:17:00 AM | Football
ST. PAUL, MINN. – The University of St. Thomas football team received national recognition following its win over San Diego. The Tommies were named the Stats Perform FCS National Team of the Week following their 50-17 victory over the Toreros, the organization announced Monday morning.
St. Thomas dealt San Diego its largest league defeat since 2000, soundly beating the Pioneer Football League (PFL) favorites 50-17 at O'Shaughnessy Stadium. Quarterback Nick Peipert (Barrington, Ill. / Barrington), the reigning PFL Freshman of the Week, accounted for five touchdowns in the win, helping the Tommies improve to 4-1 overall and 1-0 in conference play. With Peipert under center, St. Thomas averaged 10.3 yards per offensive play, and Kyle Winchester (Atlanta, Ga. / Wheeling) provided a key spark on defense, as his pick-six in the second quarter secured a 36-7 halftime lead for the Tommies.
However, it wasn't just Peipert and Winchester who dazzled on Saturday. Gabriel Abel (Trenton, N.J. / Salisbury) rushed for 148 yards and a touchdown in the win, while Stefano Giovannelli (St. Louis Park, Minn. / St. Louis Park) ignited for a career-high 110 receiving yards and two receptions, including a DI-era record 75-yard touchdown early in the game. Head coach Glenn Caruso improved to 14-4 all-time in conference openers, and 4-1 since 2021.
The Tommies will return to action this Saturday, October 3, as they travel to Clinton, South Carolina to take on the Presbyterian Blue Hose. Kickoff is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. CT.
