Two touchdowns apiece by senior running back Nick Rice and sophomore running back Hope Adebayo propelled the Tommies to a 35-15 lead over Presbyterian College at halftime, Saturday at O’Shaughnessy Stadium.

The matchup marks the final game for St. Thomas (6-3, 5-2 Pioneer Football League) in its inaugural NCAA Division I season. The Tommies are looking to extend their 30-game home regular season win streak with a victory over the Blue Hose (2-8, 0-7 PFL).

Rice opened the scoring for the Tommies on their first possession of the game with a 16-yard TD run where he went basically untouched.

However, the Blue Hose responded with a 37-yard touchdown pass and run of their own by sophomore wide receiver Matthew Rivera. First-year quarterback Jake Davis came in for sophomore QB Ren Hefley and connected with Rivera for the score. A successful two-point conversion put Presbyterian up 8-7 to end the first quarter.

The Tommies struggled offensively in the first quarter but responded in a loud fashion during the second. The Tommies went off for 28 points in the second quarter, 21 of them coming in the final 5:30 of the half.

The shift was due to the Tommies’ defense snagging three interceptions in the second quarter. Two of which came in the final 5:30 of the half, including a pick-six by senior defensive back Luke Glenna who returned the ball for 27-yards, putting St. Thomas up 27-15.

Rice added his second score of the game on a 40-yard rush down field followed by a successful two-point conversion by sophomore placeholder Kolby Gartner.

Adebayo’s scores came on a 4-yard rush to start the second quarter and a 1-yard rush with 2:29 remaining. The TDs mark Adebayo’s team-leading 11th and 12th of the season.

If the Tommies are victorious against Presbyterian, the 2022 seniors will remain undefeated at home in regular season games and the Tommies will remain undefeated on senior day in the coach Glenn Caruso era.

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