Notables
-Thomas More receiving a vote in D3football.com poll
-First time shut out at home in program history
-First meeting between the two programs
DULUTH, Minn. (
csssaints.com) – The St. Scholastica football team was held off the scoreboard for only the third time in program history in a 35-0 loss to Thomas More University (Ky.) on Saturday in non-conference action at Public Schools Stadium.
How it Happened
Thomas More (6-2) fumbled its first possession of the game, which was recovered by the Saints'
Jordan Kittelson (Avon, Minn./Albany HS). However, St. Scholastica would not be able to take advantage. After a few punts were exchanged, Thomas More got on the board on a Luke Zajac two-yard TD plunge to make it 7-0 with two minutes remaining in the opening quarter.
Thomas More made it 14-0 on its first possession of the second quarter when Justin Post found D'Marco Canty on a 17-yard post route. On the ensuing possession, the Saints drove the ball down inside the Thomas More 5-yard-line, but would be held on downs. The big play for CSS on that drive was a 33-yard completion to
Christian Rund (South St. Paul, Minn./South St. Paul HS (Hamline)) from
Zach Edwards (St. Paul, Minn./Henry Sibley HS).
Thomas More got in position for a field goal on its next possession, but
Frank Cerar (Plainview, Minn./Plainview-Elgin-Millville HS) would block it to keep the score at 14-0. However, following a CSS interception, Post found Canty again down the left sideline for a 39-yard TD with 22 seconds left in the first half to make the halftime score 20-0.
A bad punt snap for the Saints would roll out the back of the end zone to tack on two more points for Thomas More in the third quarter.
Thomas More added two more touchdowns in the fourth quarter as they took the battle of Saints 35-0.
Key Stats
Total Offense: TM-569, CSS-154
Rushing Yards: TM-361, CSS-0
Third Down Conversions: TM-10 of 17, CSS-4 of 17
Sacks: TM-6, CSS-1
Penalties: TM-12 for 127, CSS-3 for 35
Top Performers for the Saints
Edwards threw for 154 yards on 15-of-33 passing.
Bryceton Butkiewicz (Kettle River, Minn./Moose Lake HS) ran for 42 yards on 18 carries.
Eddie Lee (Maple Grove, Minn./Maple Grove HS) had five receptions for 32 yards.
Sophomore
Cody Pundsack (Melrose, Minn./Melrose HS) was all over the field defensively with a game-high 14 tackles.
Quinten McGregor (Northfield, Minn./Northfield HS) added 11 tackles. Cerar had a sack, blocked kick and pass break-up.
Top Performers for the Opponent
Hjavier Pitts ran for 200 yards on 20 carries. Zajac had 101 yards on 21 carries. Post was 17-of-26 for 208 yards and three scores. Pitts also had five receptions.
Peyton Van Horn had a team-high 11 tackles, including 4.5 for a loss.
Up Next
The Saints (4-3) return to Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) action when it travels for the first time since late September to face Iowa Wesleyan University next Saturday. Kickoff is scheduled for noon.
