ST. PAUL, Minn. — Sophomore Fritz Waldvogel returned both a punt and a kickoff for a touchdown and No. 10-ranked St. Thomas (9-1) capped the school's third nine-win regular season in school history with Saturday's 63-14 non-conference football victory over Northwestern College (5-5) at O'Shaughnessy Stadium.

The Tommies are expecting to receive an at-large berth into the 32-team NCAA playoffs -- the program's first NCAA playoff bid in 19 seasons. It's UST's first nine-win football season since 1983.

The 63 points tied a modern school record for St. Thomas.

The Tommies, who broke to a 35-0 lead in the first 20 minutes of the game, broke school season records for scoring (409 points), TDs (58) and rushing (2,472 yards). The Toms improved to 9-1 at home in two seasons under Coach Glenn Caruso.

Waldvogel had 246 all-purpose yards on six touches, including a 62-yard reception on the Toms' first play from scrimmage. He had a highlight-reel 50-yard punt return for a TD in the first quarter, then had an 86-yard kickoff return for a score in the second quarter. 

Waldvogel now has six punt or kickoff returns for a TD in 2009 which is believed to rank first among all NCAA players. He improved his season kick return average to 36.4 yards. He also had one punt return to the end zone in 2008 as a freshman, and three kick returns in 2007 as a high school senior at St. Thomas Academy.

UST junior Ben Wartman rushed nine times for 158 yards, including TDs of 37 and 55 yards. Wartman now has 16 100-yard rushing days in his last 18 games. Colin Tobin rushed 15 times for 77 yards and one TD, and freshman Joe Novitzki had three short TD runs.

NWC senior Kyle Thomforde closed his career with a strong game as he caught 12 passes for 135 yards, including a diving catch in the end zone for a 46-yard touchdown in the second quarter. The Eagles, who were shutout last season by the Tommmies 41-0, today had 18 first downs and 253 yards of offense and a 35-25 minute advantage in time of possession due to the quick UST scores.

The Tommie defense had nine tackles for loss, including five sacks, and recovered two fumbles. Tommy Becker had five tackles, a sack and a partially-blocked punt.
Press release submitted by St. Thomas on Nov 14, 2009 at 04:45 PM Eastern