NORTHFIELD, Minnesota — Senior running back Josh Parks continued his touchdown spree with three scores and No. 19 St. Thomas continued its dominance over St. Olaf, 56-7, Saturday afternoon at Klein Field at Manitou.

With the win and No. 4-ranked St.John’s upset loss to Concordia, 19-18 in overtime, the Tommies are a half-game behind the Johnnies for first place in the MIAC, tied with Bethel. The Tommies have home games remaining against Gustavus and Bethel over the next two Saturdays.

Receiver Gabe Green and backup quarterback Ronnie Jones also scored touchdowns in the first half for the Tommies (6-2 overall, 5-1 MIAC), who were never threatened after their opening drive resulted in a missed field goal. St. Olaf (5-3 overall, 3-3 MIAC) managed only 13 yards of offense in the first quarter and two first downs in the first half.

The Oles scored for the first time against the Tommies in two years. Prior to today’s game, the Tommies had outscored the Oles 157-0 the last two seasons.

Parks scored on a five-yard run in the first quarter and runs of six and one yard in the second quarter.

Tommie fullback Stephen Wagner was injured and carted off the field in the first quarter.

Jones made some big plays for the Tommies in the first quarter. He completed a 35-yard pass to Green and rushed for an 8-yard touchdown.

A mistake in coverage by the Oles led to the Tommies first score of the second quarter. A wide open 5-yard touchdown pass from Tommy Dolan to Green made the score 22-0.

Dolan threw a 59-yard touchdown pass to senior wide receiver Vinny Pallini, making the score 43-0.

St. Olaf scored its only touchdown of the game off a 12-yard run from quarterback Lars Prestemon.

Jones came out in the fourth quarter after running 24 yards to score his second touchdown of the game for the Tommies.

Tommie running back Nick Rice rushed for a 25-yard touchdown, capping off the Tommie win.

Carly Noble can be reached at nobl1781@stthomas.edu.