Some key pieces of last year's prolific offense graduated, but Brenan Kuntz has taken what's left and has put together a pretty solid unit. Thomas More athletics photo

The numbers aren’t as gaudy as last season, but the wins are still there.

That’s all that matters for Thomas More.

Last season, the Saints ranked at or near the top of every PAC offensive and defensive category – and many on a national level – en route to a 10-0 regular season and a seventh conference crown.

Thomas More’s hopes for a national championship ended when it fell to Wabash, 33-27, in overtime in the second round of the playoffs. The Saints graduated several key parts to an offense that averaged 50.5 points per game in the regular season and many others from a defense that allowed 18.6 ppg. – 10 all-PAC first- or second-teamers overall.

Like many teams heading into this season, Thomas More faced many lineup questions. Unlike many teams, though, the Saints had a playoff-caliber opener on the road, another road game and then games against three PAC contenders. Those five squads have a 17-9 combined mark with three at just one loss.

That schedule concerned and intrigued coach Regis Scafe. While he wasn’t sure of the outcome, he knew he’d find out a lot about his Saints right away – either they were going to mesh well and thrive or struggle and all PAC title hopes would vanish halfway through the season.

It didn’t start well as Thomas More dropped a 43-39 decision at Franklin. The Saints saw a 39-28 lead evaporate in the fourth quarter. Grizzlies quarterback Chase Burton picked apart the new-look Thomas More defense when he completed 51 of 67 passes for 514 yards.

“We really got thrown into the fire right away because Franklin is a very good team. We had a chance to win it, but turned it over and they went down the field and scored,” Scafe said. “Things could have gone one of two ways after that and I am happy with the way the guys responded. I think we took that loss to heart and really responded.”

The Saints traveled to Virginia the next week to take on Bridgewater. After falling behind, 3-0, Thomas More scored a touchdown and added 20 more points in the second quarter for a 41-17 win.

Back home in Week 3, the Saints opened PAC play with a win over Washington & Jefferson (35-9) and followed it with a triumph over Carnegie Mellon (20-16) and victory at Westminster (45-35), who were picked second, fourth and fifth in the PAC preseason poll.

“Right now, looking back it’s good. Before the season, I didn’t know how it’d go,” Scafe said.

The Saints cruised past winless Grove City, 70-20, last week and face clear sailing the rest of the way with games against Waynesburg (2-4), St. Vincent (4-2), Bethany (1-5) and Thiel (2-3). However, Scafe doesn’t want his troops to get too comfortable.

“The season is not over. We have to keep getting better. We are not where we need to be,” he said. “Everyone we play is going to give us their best effort. We have to be mentally tough and keep preparing and practicing well. We can’t take anyone lightly. This league is tough. We respect everyone that’s left on our schedule. I have been on the other side over the years. If you pull off an upset, that’s a huge thing for your program. These teams will be pumped up to face us.”

Junior quarterback Brenan Kuntz is one of the experienced guys back in the Saints’ offense. While he was disappointed to lose that opening game, he was impressed with how his young teammates stepped up after it.

“In the first game, everyone could have done something better to help us pull off the win. Any letup after that game could have resulted in four losses for us. It was good how our team responded,” he said. “We have a huge target on our backs. No matter what the week is, we have to prepare for it accordingly.”

With a rebuilt offensive line and three new primary receivers, the Saints have found balance with their experienced running game of C.T. Tarrant, Hjavier Pitts and Luke Zajac.

“It really starts up front with our line. They are a good group of guys. All the credit goes to them. Of all the question marks we had, I think the line has stepped up the most,” Kuntz said. “I don’t think we have any superstars on offense. We work as a well-oiled machine. We might not be putting up the same numbers, but we’re getting the job done.”

Likewise, the defense, which graduated PAC defensive player of the year Erick Butler and three other first-team and two second-team selections, has found some cohesiveness. The unit showed its effectiveness against some of the country’s best players. It limited W&J quarterback Pete Coughlin to 170 yards through the air and Carnegie Mellon’s Sam Benger to a season-low 55 yards on the ground.

“Like our offense, it was a matter of the next guy stepping up,” Kuntz said. “I think our defense is really good. After the first game, I think the defense has been rock solid. They’ve proven they can stop one of the best rushers and one of the best quarterbacks. I’ve really been impressed.

“I am happy with our record, but not satisfied. We have a lot more we can show.”

Game of the week

Wittenberg 21, DePauw 10 – Wittenberg gained the upper hand in the NCAC in the battle of unbeatens. Wittenberg overcame deficits of 7-0 and 10-7 for a 21-10 halftime lead. That score held up as both defenses dominated the second half.

What to watch

John Carroll at Ohio Northern: The Blue Streaks are unbeaten in OAC play (4-0) and have outscored their last three opponents, 151-28. They appear on a collision course for a championship showdown at Mount Union on Nov. 12. Meanwhile, the Polar Bears seem to be back on track after a 45-14 loss at Heidelberg to open OAC play. Ohio Northern responded to beat Otterbein and played Mount Union tough in a 38-21 loss. The Polar Bears crushed Capital, 58-21, last week.

In the polls

No. 1 Mount Union (5-0) had no trouble distancing itself from Heidelberg in a 50-14 win. The Purple Raiders visit Capital on Saturday.

No. 14 Thomas More (5-1) moved up a spot after crushing Grove City, 70-20. The Saints visit Waynesburg on Saturday,

No. 15 Wittenberg (5-0) bumped up as well after its 21-10 victory over DePauw to gain the NCAC upper hand. The Tigers visit Denison for a night contest Saturday.

No. 19 Wabash (4-1) gained a spot after its 51-0 win over Oberlin. The Little Giants visit Kenyon on Saturday.