The University of St. Thomas football team played an offense versus defense game at O’Shaughnessy Stadium on Friday night after beginning its spring practices on April 7.
The game saw the defense, wearing purple, defeat the white-jerseyed offense 46-42. The offense had the possibility to earn points through normal scoring methods such as touchdowns and field goals, but they also could get a point for an earned first down. The defense scored through fumble receptions, interceptions, fourth-down stops and other defensive successes.
While coach Glenn Caruso said he was concerned with the amount of offensive turnovers in the scrimmage, the competitive final score was what he and the coaching staff wanted.
“Really all I want is to make sure that both sides are close, because as the head coach you can’t ever be happy because there is a counterbalance for everything that happens,” Caruso said.
With six seconds left in the game, junior defensive back Jackson Powers, who transferred to UST from South Dakota State this spring, intercepted a long pass from junior quarterback Anthony Policare, a new transfer from Buffalo, to seal the win for the defense.
Caruso said Powers transferring to UST added, “starter depth right away.”
The Tommies signed 10 transfers to the program after the 2025 season in February . All transfers began classes at UST in the spring semester and practiced with the team.
“It was a totally different type of transfer class this year, and I really liked what I saw,” Caruso said.
Another key player in the defense’s victory was linebacker Malachi Boadi, who was redshirted for his first year at St. Thomas in 2025.
Boadi had a big first half, intercepting a pass thrown by Policare in the first quarter and sacking graduate student quarterback Amari Powell in the second.
Even though the defense walked away with the win, the offensive side of the ball showed flashes of success. Junior wide receiver Stefano Giovannelli showcased his connection with multiple quarterbacks, catching a 42-yard bomb from junior Ryan Jackson and completing a 44-yarder from Policare.
“Last year, we could really hit the deep ball, especially in the backside post. It’s awfully nice to see that still coming to fruition,” Caruso said.
The starting quarterback spot is open for the Tommies. Policare, Powell, Jackson and sophomore Nick Peipert all played significant minutes at the position in the spring scrimmage.
Caruso said he and the coaching staff do not yet know who the starter will be in August.
The Tommies will open their 2026 season against Winona State at O’Shaughnessy Stadium on August 27. Caruso said he wanted the team to experience a night game as preparation for the start of the 2026 season.
“We’re going to open at night, I think it is important to feel what it’s like in a night game,” Caruso said. “Having the crowd support is awesome, everything from recruits to next year’s recruits that we’re working to to alumni, parents, fans. It was a tremendous outpouring, really fun to see this many people here.”
Owen Bell can be reached at bell9606@stthomas.edu.
