ST. PETER, Minn. – Quarterback John Gould chalked up 207 total yards and two rushing touchdowns to pilot the No.4-ranked St. Thomas football team to a 31-6 lead over Gustavus at halftime Saturday afternoon at Hollingsworth Field.

Following a 38-yard pass from quarterback Mitch Hendricks to wide receiver Gabriel Boyce on the first play of the opening drive, the Gusties’ (7-2 overall, 5-2 MIAC) series stalled, and St. Thomas took over on its own 3-yard line. The Tommies (9-0 overall, 7-0 MIAC) marched down the field and capped off the drive with a 6-yard rushing touchdown from quarterback John Gould at the 7:14 mark of the opening quarter .

Gustavus relied on its strong passing game to answer St. Thomas’ score. Hendricks connected with a wide-open Matt Boyce for a 7-yard touchdown. The Gusties’ success continued when they forced running back Jordan Roberts to fumble on the 15-yard line, and after mishandling the recovery, Gustavus scooped up the ball on its own 2-yard line.

With 10:32 left in the second quarter, Roberts added a 4-yard touchdown. After an unsuccessful two-point conversion attempt, St. Thomas led 13-6. Roberts finished the first half with 183 rushing yards.

On the Tommies’ next possession, Gould scampered for a 9-yard touchdown to increase St. Thomas’ lead to 20-6 with 2:34 left in the second quarter. Both quarterbacks had a stellar first half; Hendricks posted 130 yards and one touchdown, and Gould finished with 189 yards.

Roberts recorded a 4-yard rushing touchdown, his 23rd of the season, with 21 seconds left in the second quarter. That vaulted him ahead of former Tommie back Colin Tobin for the most scores on the ground in coach Glenn Caruso’s tenure. St. Thomas tacked on a successful two-point conversion run by tight end Charlie Dowdle.

As time expired in the first half, Paul Graupner connected on a 31-yard field goal.

Jesse Krull can be reached at krul7836@stthomas.edu.