Freshman running back Tucker Trettel made a name for himself on senior day at O’Shaughnessy Stadium Saturday after Jordan Roberts was pulled after the first half and Jack Kaiser left the lineup with an injury.
Trettel scored two rushing touchdowns, including a 55-yard score, and registered 110 rushing yards in No. 5-ranked St. Thomas’ 80-3 MIAC-clinching victory over Carleton. Trettel credited his offensive line.
“The offensive line was leaving huge holes out there; they were making it extremely easy to run when they’re working as hard as they do,” Trettel said.
Before St. Thomas’ offensive success, Carleton’s offense chalked up a 34-yard field goal from kicker Brandt Davis on the Knights’ 19th play of the drive. This marked the third straight week the Tommies (9-0 overall, 7-0 MIAC) conceded the first points of the contest. The Knights (1-8 overall, 0-7 MIAC) rolled up four first downs on their first possession before coach Glenn Caruso called a timeout with Carleton in St. Thomas’ territory. Caruso was “sickened” with the defensive starters’ performance.
“There was no energy, very discouraged, the worst I’ve seen them play in the 11 weeks we’ve been together,” Caruso said. “I was not happy with it … the way we allowed them to move the ball, frustrating.”
Starting defensive back Trace Adams said the timeout motivated the defense to bring more intensity.
“It kind of lit a fire … telling us to get going and play better,” Adams said. “He told us to step it up, otherwise other players are going to get in.”
After recording three first downs on their first three plays, the Tommies closed the Knights’ deficit with a 6-yard rushing touchdown from running back Jordan Roberts with 3:49 left in the first quarter. This score marked the ninth-straight game that the junior registered a rushing score. Roberts finished the day with four rushing touchdowns and 104 yards on 17 attempts.
Carleton’s offensive success stalled on its next possession, but after giving the ball back to St. Thomas, the Knights’ defense snagged an interception with 12:33 left in the second quarter. Defensive back Spencer Francis snatched the ball on the Tommies’ 33-yard line, but the Knights’ offense was shut down after the crucial turnover.
Carleton only mustered 179 yards in the contest, compared to its season average of just over 328 yards per game. Adams said the Knights’ ground attack was the main priority for the Tommies’ defense.
“Stopping the run, that’s what we want to do against usually every team,” Adams said. “When we get up by 20, 30 points they want to go through the air, and that’s when we got to stop them through the air.”
Following its turnover, St. Thomas scored on five consecutive drives before the end of the first half. Roberts scored three out of his four touchdowns in the sequence, and quarterback John Gould completed a 59-yard touchdown pass to tight end Charlie Dowdle. The most impressive score, though, was a 77-yard punt-return touchdown from wide receiver Jack Gilliland, who initially caught a pass from fellow returner and wide receiver Nick Waldvogel.
Roberts’ day concluded early in the third quarter, which gave Trettel an opportunity to showcase his skills. Backup quarterback Alex Fenske also exhibited his throwing abilities.
On the Tommies’ first possession, Fenske connected with wide receiver Ryan Bradley on a 40-yard score. On top of recording two more passing touchdowns to wide receivers Pete Fitzsimmons and Teddy Andrews, Fenske went 8-9 passing with 175 yards.
With 26 seniors honored Saturday, the highest number during Caruso’s tenure, he said focus is one attribute that stands out from other classes he’s coached.
“Whatever their role is, they’re acutely focused on doing that, and that selflessness is why we’re a pretty decent team,” Caruso said.
That generosity has helped Trettel flourish as a Tommie.
“Watching all the seniors play in front of me, I’ve learned a tremendous amount, and I’m very thankful I can come out here and work for them,” Trettel said.
Jesse Krull can be reached at krul7386@stthomas.edu.