St. Thomas dominated Stetson University 52-10 Saturday afternoon at Spec Martin Memorial Stadium.
Graduate quarterback Andy Peters returned from a one-week absence and threw for 292 yards, a Division I program record. Peters scored three touchdowns through the air and another one on the ground. The Tommies have now won three games in a row, scoring at least 50 points in all matchups.
“He did well … boy, he can really sling it,” coach Glenn Caruso said to ESPN Radio. “You have to give a lot of credit to (wide receiver coach) Jonston MacIntyre doing a great job not just with the personnel but just the way he has coached these wide receivers.”
St. Thomas (5-3, 3-2 PFL) will stay in fifth place in the Pioneer Football League with three conference games left. The Tommies are undefeated against the Hatters (3-6, 2-3 PFL) in five meetings.
The Tommies offense continued their strong stretch, tallying 558 total yards and six touchdowns. Seven different Tommies scored a touchdown, including one on defense.
“I love when the love can be shared around … I think it speaks to the diversity and depth we have. Not just the offense scoring … We were able to use a lot of guys not just today but in the last three weeks,” Caruso said.
The defense only allowed 120 yards and 11 first downs. The Hatters racked minus 2 yards in the first quarter. The Tommies kept the Hatters touchdown-less until Stetson scored late in the game.
“Loved the way we played defense. Coach Kuchinski and staff had them tuned up to know what was coming. Basically that first half, everything that happened was expected and our players played on their toes instead of their heels,” Caruso said. “Any time you can go through … 35 plays of football and hold them to negative yardage that needs a tip of the hat.”
Senior defensive back Logan Cassady scored the first defensive touchdown of the year for the Tommies after returning an interception to the end zone early in the fourth quarter.
“To see him make that play, as a senior … that was really fun to see,” Caruso said.
The Tommies opened scoring after an 11-play, 67-yard drive early in the first quarter. Sophomore running back Joseph Koch topped the drive with a 2-yard touchdown. Koch now has four touchdowns in the last two games and five on the season.
St. Thomas found the end zone in the ensuing drive when Peters found sophomore receiver Stefano Giovannelli wide open for a 62-yard touchdown, extending the lead to 14-0.
UST entered halftime up 22-0. After the break, the Tommies scored three touchdowns and a field goal, including a 64-yard touchdown by senior quarterback Amari Powell.
The Hatters’ offense stayed stagnant, punting six times in the first half and eight times the entire game.
The Tommies return home to face Marist Nov. 1. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.
“We’re a little bit more comfortable in our skin. Still not there, but looking forward to what direction we head,” Caruso said.
Juan Del Valle can be reached at delv9625@stthomas.edu.
