Fifth-year quarterback Cade Sexauer threw for 185 yards three touchdowns Saturday, as the St. Thomas football team crushed Lincoln (California) 43-6 in a non-conference matchup at O’Shaughnessy Stadium.
The win extended the Tommies’ regular season home win streak to 33 games. This is the first time the Tommies (2-1, 0-0 Pioneer) have faced the Division II Oaklanders (0-4, 0-0 Central Athletic) in program history.
The Tommies offense started off quick, with Sexauer completing a touchdown pass on the first two possessions of the game. The Tommies have scored on their first drive in all three games of the season.
Sexauer completed a 16-yard pass to junior wide receiver Jacob Wildermuth and a 19-yard pass to senior tight end James Klecker. The scores were Wildermuth’s and Klecker’s first touchdowns of the season.
However, the Oaklanders stepped up their defense for the remainder of the first half, not allowing the Tommies any points in the final 21 minutes before halftime.
The Oaklanders hit a 28-yard field goal to start the second half, tightening the Tommies’ lead to nine. However, a safety by sophomore linebacker Luke Herzog opened up the Tommies’ scoring barrage in the third quarter.
It only took one play for sophomore running back Shawn Shipman to run in a 3-yard TD after a long kick return by sophomore wide receiver Andrew McElroy.
In the highlight-reel play of the second half, first-year defensive back Tyree Gardner blocked a Lincoln punt, as graduate student linebacker Ty Barron picked it up for a 30-yard scoop and score TD.
The Tommies’ defense held strong in the game, giving up no touchdowns and only 308 total yards. Another highlight for the Tommies’ defense was sophomore defensive back Mason Cassady’s interception, which he returned 16 yards.
Two plays later, Sexauer completed his third passing touchdown on a 23-yard dart to first-year receiver Bryce Boyd, his first of his college career.
The Tommies take on Marist Saturday, Oct. 1 at 11 a.m. CST in Poughkeepsie, New York, for the Tommies’ first conference game of the season.
Cam Kauffman can be reached at kauf8536@stthomas.edu.