Coach Glenn Caruso and the No. 3 St. Thomas football team started the 2018 season with a 76-7 win over Trinity International Saturday at O’Shaughnessy Stadium. Caruso is now 11-0 in season openers with the Tommies.
The Tommies (1-0 overall), dominated the Trojans (1-1 overall) in their first game against an NAIA opponent since 1997
“It felt good the way we started out,” Caruso said. “Certainly we battled, we’re a battle-tested team.”
Tommie wide receiver Vinny Pallini scored on the very first play of the game with a 94-yard kick return touchdown.
Trojan quarterback Ryan Heath connected with receiver Javiel Jones on a 75-yard touchdown pass for the only points of the night for Trinity.
Tommie quarterback Jacques Perra went 11-for-12 with 124 yards and two touchdown passes. He was pulled near the end of the first half for backup quarterback Ronnie Jones.
“It was just a half, but it was good to (play) full speed,” Perra said. “It was also good to see everyone else get some time.”
The Tommie defense held the the Trojans to a paltry 106 yards of total offense and didn’t allow a third-down conversion. Six players recorded seven total sacks, and first-year defensive back Luke Glenna returned an interception 41 yards for a touchdown.
“We were very excited when we got him in recruiting,” Caruso said. “We had high expectations for him, and he has probably surpassed them just a bit.”
Running backs Josh Parks and Tom Loeffler ran for a combined 177 yards and four touchdowns.
“Honestly, it felt really good,” Loeffler said. “The running backs had a good day, the O-Line gave us a good push. All around, a great team game.”
The Tommies begin conference play Saturday, Sept. 15 at O’Shaughnessy Stadium against Hamline. The Tommies are 10-0 against the Pipers under Caruso.