Senior running backs Tom Loeffler and Joshua Komis combined for three rushing touchdowns as St. Thomas took a 22-0 halftime lead over Butler on Saturday at O’Shaughnessy Stadium.

The matchup marked the first Division I home game and first home game in 95 weeks for the Tommies. St. Thomas (1-1, 0-0 Pioneer) had 268 total yards of offense in the first half compared with 90 by Butler (2-1, 0-0 Pioneer).

Loeffler scored the first and third touchdowns of the game for the Tommies on 2-yard and 5-yard runs. Komis notched the second on a 9-yard pass and run play from senior quarterback Cade Sexauer.

After Komis’ run, a two-point conversion by sophomore punter Kolby Gaertner widened the Tommies’ lead, making it 15-0.

Sexauer made his first start of the DI era Saturday, racking up 149 yards passing and 31 yards rushing in the first half.

The Tommies had only one touchdown this season before the Butler game, but produced three in the first half Saturday.

In their last game against NAIA foe Taylor, the Bulldogs scored 77 points, yet they remained scoreless at halftime against the Tommies.

St. Thomas brought a 27-game home-field regular-season win streak into Saturday’s game.

Cam Kauffman can be reached at kauf8536@stthomas.edu.