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Defense steps up in 55-6 road win for Tommies

More news about: St. Thomas

No. 8-ranked St. Thomas rolled up 523 yards of offense, had two return touchdowns, and slowed Augsburg's high-flying attack in Saturday's 55-6 MIAC football win in Minneapolis.

A packed house for Homecoming at Augsburg watched the Tommies (5-0 overall, 3-0 MIAC) pull away to a 35-0 halftime lead. UST has outscored opponents 136-7 in the first half of its five contests this season.

The Tommie defense had three takeaways, including junior Ryan Winter's 2-yard interception return for a touchdown in the opening moments. UST limited the Auggies (2-3, 1-2) to 4-of-14 on third and fourth downs, and recorded 10 tackles for loss.

Junior LB Jesse Addo had a QB hurry, a sack, 1.5 tackles for loss among four solo tackles. Senior SB Jordan Young had an interception and two pass breakups.

Augsburg came in averaging 47.8 points a contest in its last five games dating back to last November. It's just the third time in 35 games since senior Ayrton Scott took over the Auggie offense that his team was held under 14 points.

Scott completed 11-of-28 passes for 194 yards with two interceptions and one TD throw. He rushed 16 times for 51 yards.

Tommie junior DB Bennett Celichowski scored his first career touchdown, on a razzle-dazzle play. He raced 69 yards on a punt return to put the Toms ahead 41-0.

UST's two return touchdowns are the 28th and 29th of the eight-season Glenn Caruso era, and St. Thomas is 23-2 in those games when it records a return TD.

St. Thomas improved to 3-0 on the road this season. It has won 22 of its last 24 conference road games.

The UST offense didn't punt all day and had four players with individual 85-plus yard rushing or receiving days:

  • junior WR Nick Waldvogel caught seven passes for 86 yards and 127 all-purpose yards;
  • junior RB Jordan Roberts rushed 14 times for 111 yards in limted play;
  • senior RB Jack Kaiser rushed 19 times for 95 yards;
  • senior tight end Charlie Dowdle had three receptions for 87 yards.

Senior QB John Gould completed 13-of-20 passes for 201 yards as he moved to 9-1 on his career as a starter.

Senior PK Paul Graupner became the first Tommie kicker to surpass 200 career points as he made seven PAT kicks to reach 206 points.

Dec. 15: All times Eastern
Final
Cortland 38, at North Central (Ill.) 37
@ Salem, Virginia
Video Box Score Recap Photos
Dec. 9: All times Eastern
Final
North Central (Ill.) 34, at Wartburg 27
Box Score Recap
Final
Cortland 49, at Randolph-Macon 14
Box Score Recap Recap Recap Photos
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