The St. Thomas football team will kick off its season Saturday against a team that came the closest to handing the Tommies their only loss of the 2012 regular season.

No. 2 ranked St. Thomas will battle Wisconsin-Eau Claire for just the second time in the programs’ histories. During the teams’ first meeting, it looked as though the Tommies would relinquish a victory, but with 3:46 left in the game and the team trailing by 11, St. Thomas started its comeback for an eventual 27-24 win.

This time though, coach Glenn Caruso said said he expects a large home crowd will give the Tommies the upper hand in Saturday’s game, and that overcoming last year’s challenges gives the team a boost of confidence.

“We were able to find a way to win a very tough game, in very adverse conditions on the road with a very young team,” Caruso said. “Certainly being at home, having the students out, this is the first home game and class has been in session, so I fully expect a tremendous crowd and a great game day.”

The Tommies will step onto the turf with new faces in several key positions. The team lost two starters on the offensive side and five on defense, including linebacker Mike Valesano, defensive lineman Ayo Idowu, center Curtis James, and the rest of the seniors who helped lead the Tommies to a national championship game.

Caruso said he has confidence that maintaining a good program is the key to keeping the team strong.

“I’m just a real big believer that there is huge difference between a good team and a good program, and I think that we have a good program,” Caruso said. “That difference is the fact that we have a virtuous cycle going on; success begets success in a positive manner.”

All-American linebacker Tremayne Williams played a big role on the defensive side of the ball for the Tommies last season, leading the team in tackles with 58.5.

Williams said he expects Eau Claire’s strong offense will challenge St. Thomas’ defensive flow this Saturday.

“They have weapons, and they will make plays, so we will try to limit their explosive plays,” Williams said.

Quarterback Matt O’Connell had his first collegiate start in last year’s game against the Blugolds, and he said he knows this game will be just as competitive.

“I’m not sure what’s going to happen this year as far as the drama,” O’Connell said. “We know that Eau Claire will come ready to play. There’s no doubt about that.”

Last season, Eau Claire’s offense averaged 175 rushing yards and 171 yards through the air per game. Against the Tommies, the Blugolds gained 283 yards in 2012. Only 87 of those yards were through ground game.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Blugolds could not seem to solve the equation of St. Thomas’ offense last season. The Tommies racked up 266 passing yards and rushed for 162.

O’Connell said St. Thomas’ offense is aiming to work as one unit to break down a prepared Eau Claire defense.

“I think the most crucial aspect is our cohesiveness and working together as a whole unit and not as individual parts,” O’Connell said. “They played us really tough last year, and I expect them to be tough again this weekend. Especially after how the game ended up last year, they will be prepared.”

Jesse Krull can be reached at krul7386@stthomas.edu.