The St. Thomas offense rode its running game, led by three running back Nick Waldvogel touchdowns, to 28 first-quarter points and a 38-7 halftime lead over Augsburg College at Saturday’s Homecoming game.

Quarterback Matt O’Connell started the scoring for the Tommies with a 10-yard touchdown run to cap off St. Thomas’ opening possession of the game.

On the Auggies’ first play after the O’Connell touchdown, Tommie linebacker Jesse Addo forced Augsburg running back Jerise Washington to fumble, giving St. Thomas the ball back at the Augsburg 24-yard line.

The Tommies couldn’t capitalize on the turnover as kicker Paul Graupner’s 35-yard field goal attempt sailed wide left.

After forcing an Augsburg punt, the Tommies put together a 76-yard touchdown drive. Waldvogel put up two 21-yard runs, one of which resulted in a touchdown, putting St. Thomas up 14-0.

The Tommie defense continued to stifle the Auggie offense, forcing another fumble with 3:17 left in the first quarter. Lineman Sam Pokornowski forced it, and defensive back Kyle Coyne recovered the ball and gave the Tommies good field position on Augsburg’s 25-yard line.

This time, St. Thomas was able to translate the turnover into points, capping off the drive with a 2-yard Waldvogel touchdown – his second of the afternoon – giving St. Thomas a 21-0 lead.

After recovering an onside kick on the ensuing kickoff, the Tommie offense struck one more first-quarter touchdown, this time through the air. Wide receiver Pete Fitzsimmons took a lateral from O’Connell and threw it deep to fellow wide receiver Jack Gilliland for a 38-yard touchdown – St. Thomas’ second touchdown in eight seconds – giving the Tommies a 28-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.

After a couple of empty possessions by both teams to start the second quarter, Waldvogel found the end zone for the third time, taking a 31-yard run to the house, putting St. Thomas up 35-0.

The Auggies were able to find the end zone with 32 seconds remaining in the half. Led by Augsburg quarterback Ayrton Scott’s 37-yard run, the Auggie offense drove down the field for a touchdown, capped off by Scott’s 5-yard run.

The Tommies countered the Auggies touchdown, getting into field goal range with seconds remaining, and drilled a 43-yard field goal as time expired to extend the Tommie lead to 38-7 at the half.

Scott Sikich can be reached at siki3549@stthomas.edu.