Game Leaders
Team Stats
Passing Yards
Rushing Yards
Turnovers
Time of Poss.
Tommie Football couldn't recover from a 21-0 halftime deficit and fell 35-24 Saturday at No. 11-ranked Bethel.
BU picked off three passes and went on to convert touchdowns on its next possession after all three.
With 10 seconds left BU had fourth-and-three at the 25 and Brandon Marquardt went around end and went untackled for the final points. That capped a 16-play, 83-yard drive where the Royals converted twice on third down and twice on fourth down and burned the final 7:37 of the game.
The 35 points were the most scored against the Tommies in Coach Glenn Caruso's seven seasons, covering 82 games. It also marked the first time in that span that UST scored 24 or more points in regulation of a game and lost.
Bethel finished 8-of-16 in third- and fourth-down conversions while the Tommies were just 6-for-17. BU held a slim 363-357 advantage in total yards.
The Royals (6-1 overall, 5-0 MIAC) remained alone atop the conference standings while UST (5-2, 3-2) dropped into fifth place with three games to go.
"The game ended up being a tough, hard-fought battle for both sides," said UST coach Glenn Caruso. "Hats off to Bethel for making some key plays when they needed them. It's absolutely clear that we couldn't get in a position to spot a very good team that many points like we did today. I was however very proud of the will, the emotion and resolve our players showed, we never wavered even in the most dire of times."
Early in the fourth quarter, St. Thomas trailed 28-21 and had a first-and-goal situation. But the drive stalled and UST kicked a 25-yard field goal to climb within four points. The Royals converted a fourth-and-two chance at midfield with a short pass in the final 4:00 and went on to run out the clock.
The Toms threw two first quarter interceptions and played uphill all day. John Gould was inserted at QB in the second half and led two TD drives in the third quarter.
Nick Waldvogel had 107 yards of rushing and receiving yards, and Jack Gilliland had 102 yards on eight catches. Cole Kelly caught a five-yard TD pass – his fifth touchdown in six career receptions. Gould completed 12-of-17 passes for 121 yards, two TDs and one interception. UST also converted its second on-side kick in as many weeks to set up a TD drive.
The Toms are home Nov. 1 to play No. 20-ranked Concordia-Moorhead.