Sophomore running back Shawn Shipman ran for 128 yards and a touchdown to put the No. 23 St. Thomas football team up 17-0 at halftime against Stetson Saturday at O’Shaughnessy Stadium on senior day.

The Tommies (8-1, 6-0 Pioneer League) sit atop the conference and are riding an eight-game winning streak. Last season, the Tommies defeated the Hatters (3-5, 1-4) on the road 38-7.

The Tommies struck with 4:47 left in the first quarter as Shipman ran in a 3-yard score.

Senior quarterback Cade Sexauer threw two interceptions in the half, but his team’s defense backed him up.

The defense held the Hatters to four first downs and 21 rush yards in the half, not allowing the Hatters any closer to St. Thomas’ end zone than the 29-yard line.

Sexauer helped himself out by running in a 1-yard TD with 3:59 left in the second quarter set up by a 57-yard rush down the middle by SHipman two plays earlier. This was Sexauer’s fifth rushing TD on the season.

If the Tommies win, it will guarantee them at least a share of the PFL title.

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