On the heels of a thrilling victory in the season opener, the seventh-ranked St. Thomas football team looks to keep the momentum going Saturday, Sept. 8, as it hosts Wisconsin-River Falls.
The Tommies (1-0) defeated Wisconsin-Eau Claire Saturday, Sept . 1, 27-24, in a performance coach Caruso graded as a ‘C-.’”
“A win’s, a win,” Caruso explained. “Mentally, the way these players played down the stretch, I would give them an ‘A-.’”
Senior linebacker Michael Valesano’s performance against the Blugolds helped him take MIAC Defensive Player of the Week honors and be named to D3Football.com’s Scoutware Team of the Week. Valesano had a career-best 11 solo tackles and a fumble recovery last Saturday.
Sophomore quarterback Matt O’Connell thought his first collegiate start went “well” but was quick to point to his teammates for praise.
“The defense played a huge role in our comeback,” O’Connell said. “The most important aspect of that game was that the team won.”
The Tommies understand they must continue to get better to duplicate last year’s 10-0 regular season record. This Saturday they battle a River Falls (0-1) team that returns a talented duo of senior wide receivers: John Wahlstrom and Nate Brandt.
In last year’s match-up, which St. Thomas won 45-22, Wahlstrom had three catches for 16 yards; Brandt corralled 11 catches for 136 yards and two touchdowns.
The rest of the Falcon offense is not as experienced. The team started freshman quarterback Ryan Kuselik and sophomore running back Brad Beeskow in its season opening loss to Simpson College (Wis.), 31-22 Saturday, Sept. 1. Both started their first game last weekend.
The Falcons’ youth on offense doesn’t change the game plan for the Tommie defense.
“Their freshman quarterback is looking good,” Gavin said. “They throw the ball a lot and we need to be prepared for that.”
Kuselik tallied 225 yards on 21-35 passing with one touchdown and an interception against Simpson.
The Falcons are under second-year coach Matt Walker, who made his collegiate head-coaching debut against the Tommies last year.
Caruso believes River Falls will be different from the Falcons team they beat last season.
“The talent is very similar to last year,” Caruso explained. “They’re playing with a very, very keen purpose and sense of who they are; that’s visible on film.”
Although the Falcons’ defensive line held Simpson’s ground game to -1 yards, O’Connell said they will still run the ball.
“We’re going to be balanced on offense and take what the defense gives us,” O’Connell said. “If they over correct on the run, we’ll hit the air.”
St. Thomas hopes for a better start Saturday as to not dig themselves into a hole early.
“I think we were maybe a bit too high on the anxiety scale last week,” Caruso said. “I think settling in a little bit earlier emotionally is going to help our productivity.”
Ross Schreck can be reached at schr8250@stthomas.edu.