St. Thomas maintains a huge lead after sluggish start

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Tight end Charlie Dowdle runs it in for a touchdown. The Tommies were up 44-3 against Carleton at halftime. (Andrew Brinkmann/TommieMedia)
Tight end Charlie Dowdle runs it in for a touchdown. The Tommies were up 44-3 against Carleton at halftime. (Andrew Brinkmann/TommieMedia)

Running back Jordan Roberts scored four rushing touchdowns and registred 98 rushing yards in No.5-ranked St. Thomas’ 44-3 halftime lead over Carleton on senior day Saturday afternoon at O’Shaughnessy Stadium.

For the third consecutive week, St. Thomas (8-0 overall, 6-0 MIAC) played from behind in the first quarter. After the Knights (1-7 overall, 0-6 MIAC) rolled up four first downs on their inaugural possession, St. Thomas’ defense bared down and forced Carleton to a 34-yard field goal from Brandt Davis with 6:55 left in the first quarter. The Knights finished the first half with 103 total yards.

After recording three first downs on their first three plays, the Tommies answered the Knights’ score with a 6-yard rushing touchdown from running back Jordan Roberts. This score marked the ninth-straight game that the junior registered a rushing score. On the extra point opportunity, holder Charlie Dowdle spun around and tossed a behind-the-back pass to tight end Matt Christenson for a successful 2-point conversion.

Carleton’s offensive success stalled on its next possession, but the defense created an excellent opportunity. On third down, Tommie quarterback John Gould tossed a pass to wide receiver Ryan Bradley. Just as Bradley maintained the pass, defensive back Eric McGregor jarred the ball loose. Fellow defensive back Spencer Francis snagged the ball on St. Thomas’ 33-yard line, but the Knights’ offense stalled after the interception.

St. Thomas scored on three consecutive drives following its costly turnover. After Roberts’ second and third rushing scores, the Tommies led 23-3 with 8:18 left in the second quarter. Carleton’s offense punted the ball to wide receiver Nick Waldvogel around St. Thomas’ 30-yard line. After running a couple yards, Waldvogel threw back to wide receiver Jack Gilliland, who chalked up a 71-yard punt-return touchdown.

Roberts recorded his fourth rushing touchdown, a 4-yarder, which gave the Tommies a 37-3 lead with 4:11 left in the second quarter. On the following possession, Gould connected with Dowdle for a 58-yard score.

Jesse Krull can be reached at Krul7386@stthomas.edu