Junior quarterback Ben Duncan’s two rushing touchdowns (11, 1) thrusted fourth-ranked St. Thomas to a 20-0 lead over Augsburg on a crisp Saturday afternoon at O’Shaughnessy Stadium.

Duncan, starting for normal starter sophomore Matt O’Connell, capped off the Tommies’ opening possession with an 11-yard touchdown rush, giving St. Thomas a 7-0 lead.

With 5:13 remaining in the first quarter, freshman kicker Paul Graupner missed a 46-yard field goal wide left.

Freshman running back Jack Kaiser found the endzone from 21-yards out, leaping into the end zone. Graupner added the extra point, extending the Tommie lead 14-0 with 1:05 left in the first quarter.

Augsburg senior kicker Wesley Waytashek, pushed a 35-yard field goal wide left with 12:56 remaining in the half, leaving the score at 14-0.

With 5:05 left in the half, Duncan rushed 1 yard for the Tommies’ third touchdown of the half, capping off a 6-play drive spanning three minutes. Senior safety Jack Gavin’s two-point conversion pass attempt fell short, leaving the score at 20-0.

The Tommies’ defense, lead by junior linebacker Harry Pitera’s sack and sophomore cornerback Sean Hamlin’s interception, continued its strong play by holding the potent Auggie offense to 96 yards of offense in the first half.

St. Thomas received the kickoff to open the second half.

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Ross Schreck can be reached at schr8250@stthomas.edu.