Redshirt first-year quarterback Nick Peipert lines up to throw a touchdown pass in the final seconds of the first half. Peipert threw for over 200 yards en route to a 64-21 St. Thomas win against Stetson University Saturday at O’Shaughnessy Stadium. (Abigail Peters/The Crest) 
Peipert breaks a tackle to rush for a 2-yard touchdown, putting the Tommies back in front in the first quarter. (Abigail Peters/The Crest) 
Fans celebrate St. Thomas Family Weekend. (Abigail Peters/The Crest) 
Senior wide receiver Owen Lyons, No. 19, returns sophomore running back Elijah Johnson’s, No. 32, blocked punt for a touchdown in the third quarter. (Abigail Peters/The Crest) 
St. Thomas teammates celebrate on the sidelines after a touchdown from Johnson’s punt block. (Abigail Peters/The Crest)
University of St. Thomas football came back from its previous 55-21 loss to Presbyterian with a season-high 64-21 victory against the Stetson Hatters, with quarterback Nick Peipert leading the offense at O’Shaughnessy Stadium.
Redshirt first-year Peipert led the Tommie (5-2, 2-1 PFL) offense, throwing for 247 yards and four touchdowns while leading in rushing with 146 yards and two touchdowns against the Hatters (1-5, 0-2) to secure St. Thomas’ second win in the Pioneer Football League.
Peipert said the game plan called for him to be involved in the rushing attack. “I knew I would have to run the ball a lot,” Peipert said.
Peipert’s performance was a rebound from last week against Presbyterian, when he threw two interceptions and passed for 43 yards before he was replaced by junior quarterback Anthony Policare.
While coach Glenn Caruso said he felt the Tommies took too many risks in the second half, he was impressed by Peipert’s six touchdowns and nearly 400 yards of total offense.
“I do think the way that Nick responded, I’m not surprised but I’m very impressed. I also believe when Nick is on the move, things flow more logically,” Caruso said. “We’ve been saying it for six weeks now, he’s kind of sneaky quick.”
The Tommies scored three touchdowns to lead the first half with 36 points over Stetson. Peipert threw touchdown passes to junior receivers Stefano Giovannelli and Quentin Cobb-Butler, and graduate running back Gabe Abel also scored a touchdown run in the red zone.
St. Thomas continued its dominance in the third quarter, scoring 21 unanswered points to extend its lead to 57-7 heading into the fourth.
The Tommie offensive line paved paths throughout the game, clearing through the Stetson defense for 300 rushing yards while not allowing a single sack all game. Peipert’s 146 rushing yards benefited from their performance, allowing St. Thomas to attack offensively through passing and ground plays.
The Hatters scored twice in the fourth quarter, with the first being a 25-yard touchdown pass from redshirt first-year quarterback Thomas Von Grote to junior receiver Shawne Jones. St. Thomas finished with its final touchdown between Stetson’s two scores on a 3-yard run by first-year Javaris Morgan, his first touchdown at UST.
“We need to be able to get healthy at some spots that we are dangerously thin at right now,” Caruso said. “We have the bye-week to do that.”
The Tommies’ next PFL action will come against Marist at 11 a.m. on Oct. 24 at Tenney Stadium in Poughkeepsie, New York.
Victor Mshihiri can be reached at mshi7898@stthomas.edu.
Abigail Peters can be reached at pete4956@stthomas.edu
