(NORTHFIELD–Minn.) Running backs Jack Kaiser and Nick Waldvogel led the ground game, each rushing for a touchdown to give the No. 16-ranked St. Thomas football team a 24-15 halftime lead over St. Olaf College at Manitou Field.

Despite five penalties on the first possession of the game, kicker Paul Graupner chipped in a 28-yard field goal to put the Tommies ahead 3-0.

With 13:07 remaining in the second quarter, Waldvogel found an open hole for a 5-yard touchdown run to give the Tommies a 10-0 lead. On the next Tommies’ possession, Kaiser broke free for a 7-yard touchdown run to give St. Thomas a 17-0 lead with 9:57 left in the second quarter.

St. Olaf quarterback Nate Penz threw two touchdowns midway through the second quarter, one being wide receiver Jake Schmiesing’s 81-yard touchdown, to put the Oles on the scoreboard 24-15.

In between St. Olaf’s two trips to the end zone, quarterback Alex Fenske connected with wide receiver Jack Gilliland on a diving catch in the corner of the endzone for a 16-yard touchdown pass with 5:07 left in the second quarter.

Kyle Jonas can be reached at jona7984@stthomas.edu.