INDIANAPOLIS – Sophomore defensive back Yusuf Leak recovered a blocked 49-yard field goal, returning it for a 66-yard touchdown and pulling the No. 21 St. Thomas football team to a 14-0 halftime lead over Butler.

If the Tommies (9-1, 7-0 Pioneer League) win, or if Davidson beats Dayton Saturday, St.Thomas will win the Pioneer Football League title outright. If not, the Tommies will share the title. Either way, the Davidson-Dayton winner will get the league’s spot in the FCS playoffs.

Senior defensive back Kam In blocked Butler’s (7-3, 5-2) attempt, sending the ball flying into the air before Leak came up with it. Followed by a flurry of Butler special teams players, Leak took it down the left side relatively untouched.

St. Thomas’ special teams came up clutch once again in the final moments of the first half as In blocked another field goal attempt, keeping the Bulldogs scoreless through the half.

The first Tommie score came on a 2-yard rush by senior quarterback Cade Sexauer on the Tommies’ opening drive. The Tommies offense, which usually relies on long runs and passes, has been relatively quiet thus far, but has been moving consistently down the field in shorter spurts.

The defense has held Butler to 117 yards, 64 of them on the ground. The Tommie offense has racked up 142 total yards with 108 on the ground.

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