Highlighted by two passing touchdowns by fifth-year senior quarterback Cade Sexauer, the St. Thomas football team leapt out to a 15-3 halftime lead over Lincoln (California) Saturday at O’Shaughnessy Stadium.

The game marked the first time the Tommies (1-1, 0-0 Pioneer) have faced the Oaklanders (0-3, 0-0 Central Athletic) in program history. The NCAA Division II Oaklanders, who are in their second year of having a football program, have been outscored 160-24 in their first three games of the season.

Sexauer’s first touchdown pass, a 16-yard loft to junior wide receiver Jacob Wildermuth, came on the Tommies’ first drive of the game. The Tommies have scored on their first drive in all three games of the season.

St. Thomas senior running back Josh Komis added a sneak two-point conversion on the drive, his second of the season.

After a quick stop on defense, Sexauer was back with another TD, this time to senior tight end James Klecker for 19 yards, his first touchdown of the season. Sexauer finished the half with 146 yards passing, completing 11-of-15.

After not being able to get much going offensively on the first drive, the Oaklanders managed a 28-yard field goal late in the first quarter.

The Tommies’ defense held Lincoln to 108 yards offensively in the half, whereas the Tommies moved the ball 252 yards in the half.

Lead rusher sophomore running back Shawn Shipman, who has been filling in for sophomore running back Hope Adebayo while he is out with an injury, was quiet in terms of touchdowns in the half, but Shipman made up for it with 69 yards rushing.

Both teams held each other scoreless in the second quarter, as both defenses had a pair of big fourth-down stops.

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