Senior quarterback Cade Sexauer threw three touchdowns, two to sophomore wide receiver Andrew McElroy, as the St. Thomas football team jumped out to a 21-3 halftime lead over Davidson Saturday at O’Shaughnessy Stadium.

In the teams’ last matchup, the Tommies (3-1, 1-0 Pioneer Football League) fell 42-15 at Davidson. The Wildcats (4-1, 2-0 PFL) ended last season as PFL co-champions with San Diego.

Once again, St. Thomas started off hot with a touchdown on the team’s opening drive as Sexauer threw a 19-yard pass to McElroy. This is the fifth time in five games the Tommies have scored on their opening drive of the game.

In addition to leading the country in rushing offense (389.4 yards per game), Davidson ranks among FCS leaders in total offense (498.2) and scoring offense (39.4). However, the Tommies have held them to just 80 yards rushing in the first half.

Tragedy nearly struck for the Tommies as a bad snap to junior punter Kolby Gartner gave the Wildcats the ball at the St. Thomas 29-yardline. However, tough defense and a tipped TD pass by St. Thomas first-year defensive back Branden Smith gave the Tommies the ball on a turnover on downs.

After the turnover, Sexauer and the Tommies marched down the field for Sexauer’s second TD pass of the game. He threw a 6-yard pass to junior wide receiver Jacob Wildermuth to pull the Tommies ahead 14-0.

During the Wildcats’ next possession, sophomore linebacker Luke Herzog made a timely sack for the Tommies, forcing a punt on fourth down.

Sexauer and McElroy took the Tommies’ following possession into their own hands, as Sexauer threw a 19-yard pass to McElroy to round out the Tommies’ scoring for the half. With less than three minutes remaining, the Wildcats moved into quick play, hoping to avoid a first-half shutout.

With 32 seconds remaining, the Wildcats managed a 40-yard field goal to get them on the board after more tough defense by the Tommies did not allow a late Wildcat score

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