INDIANAPOLIS – Senior quarterback Cade Sexauer ran in two touchdowns in the St. Thomas football team’s 27-13 road win over Butler Saturday, securing the Tommies’ outright win of the Pioneer Football League title.

With the win, the Tommies (10-1, 8-0 PFL) secured the first conference championship for any St. Thomas team at the Division I level. Last season, the Tommies defeated Butler (7-4, 5-3) 36-0 at home.

Sexauer’s first score came on a 2-yard rush on the Tommies’ opening drive. The Tommies’ offense, which usually relies on long runs and passes, was relatively quiet in the game, but the Tommies’ special teams and defense truly carried the team.

In the first half, senior defensive back Kam In blocked a field goal attempt into the hands of sophomore defensive back Yusuf Leak, who recovered it and returned it for a 66-yard touchdown.

Before the half, In also partially blocked another Butler field goal attempt, holding the Bulldogs scoreless at halftime.

Senior defensive back Johnson Fallah started the second half with an interception for the Tommies, resulting in a 35-yard field goal to pull the Tommies ahead 17-0.

Leak also came up with an interception of his own, thwarting a promising scoring drive for the Bulldogs. However, Butler recovered a St. Thomas fumble, giving Butler the chance to strike moments later as first-year receiver Luke Wooten caught a 10-yard TD pass.

But the Tommie defense responded a few drives later with a fourth-down sack by sophomore linebacker Jonathan Bunce, resulting in a 1-yard score by Sexauer on the ensuing drive.

The Tommies are one of only a few teams that get to end their season on a win, let alone a conference championship.

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