As a new freshman class moves on campus Saturday, St. Thomas football coach Glenn Caruso’s first recruiting class will open its season– as seniors.

The Tommies, who have improved every year under Caruso, are 30-5 since he came from Macalester in 2008. The 2011 season home-opener begins at 1 p.m., as the Tommies take on St. Norbert College of De Pere, Wis., on Palmer Field.

“It’s exciting to see these freshman as seniors now and see where they’ve come as people,” fifth-year senior linebacker Tony Danna said. “Just to see how they talk to people, how they react to different situations outside of football. It’s been really remarkable.” Danna is a holdover from the previous staff, so he’s seen the entire Caruso era and then some.

The Tommie offense has two preseason Division III All-Americans in senior wide receiver Fritz Waldvogel and senior offensive tackle Chad Vandergriff.

Last year the Tommies were 10-0 for the first time in school history before losing to Bethel in the NCAA quarterfinals.

”But last year is last year,” Danna said. “That’s kind of our motto.”

He added, “It’s a whole new year, so we have to prove ourselves.”

Danna, who has a chance to become the third player in St. Thomas history to make 300 career tackles, said he is “not really looking at stats.”

“To tell you the truth the first time I’d ever thought about (300 tackles) was when I read it in (sports information director) Gene (McGivern)’s article,” Danna said. “I’d rather have a lot of success as a team than individually have some 300 tackle award.”

Taking on St. Norbert

Danna and the Tommie defense stifled St. Norbert’s offense in last year’s season opener, contributing to the 40-7 victory over the Green Knights.

St. Thomas senior quarterback Dakota Tracy had two rushing touchdowns and Waldvogel returned a punt for a touchdown in that game.

“Last year it opened up where my legs were necessary,” Tracy said. “I’ll use my legs when its necessary, and we’ll pass when it’s necessary.”

The Green Knights, who finished last season 7-4, have 14 starters from 2010 returning, including junior wide receiver Joe Green, who had three catches for 64 yards in last year’s game against St. Thomas.

“I know our d-backs are planning for (Green),” Danna said. “I think they’re just planning on playing physical, just playing our game, and he’s going to have to adjust to the way we play.”

Three of the Green Knights’ top four tacklers from 2010 returned, including linebacker Ben Nantell, who had 12 tackles, including two stops behind the line of scrimmage against the Tommies last year.

“St. Norbert is a good team,” Tracy said. “They have a lot of good football players on their team and they’ll be ready to go, but I’m confident we’ll be the same way. It’s going to be a good battle.”

Alex Keil can be reached at amkeil@stthomas.edu.