Tight end Matt Allen said the No. 6-ranked St. Thomas football team has moved on and shifted its focus to its homecoming matchup against Carleton College Saturday at O’Shaughnessy Stadium after letting its 27-game conference win streak slip away against St. John’s Sept. 21.
“We really focused on getting back to the basics,” Allen said. “Mainly with our hustle, intensity and ferocity that we bring to practice.”
Coach Glenn Caruso said the Tommies (2-1 overall, 0-1 MIAC) are still the same team that knows how to play at a high level.
“There’s a difference between a good team that didn’t play well, and a team that’s not a good team,” Caruso said. “We’re certainly in that first category.”
The Knights (2-1 overall, 1-1 MIAC) have looked inconsistent on defense through their first three games, allowing 334, 98 and 193 yards passing and 42, 365 and 348 yards rushing, respectively. Nonetheless, Allen said the Tommies can’t overlook any team—even one the St. Thomas program has beaten 20 years in a row.
“They’ll definitely come ready to play,” Allen said. “We just need to focus on playing to the best of our ability and doing what we do best.”
Carleton coach Bob Pagel is in his second season as the Knights’ head coach, a team that went 3-7 last season. Caruso said it’s always interesting to watch the second year of a new coaching regime.
“When I see them play with confidence, I think that’s something that’s going to benefit them,” Caruso said. “Not just this year, but years down the road.”
The Tommies have struggled to maintain ball security this season, turning the ball over seven times in their last two games. Caruso said he knows turnovers are the ultimate equalizer.
“That’s something that takes very little talent or athleticism,” Caruso said. “It’s an everyday commitment to making sure that we’re focused on taking care of the ball.”
The Tommies are averaging 430 yards, 25 first downs and 32 points per game.
Tommie defense aims to stay solid
On the defensive side of the ball, linebacker Rutger Heffelfinger said the Tommies will try to put pressure on the Knights and make clean tackles all over the field. St. Thomas is ranked 17th in Division-III scoring defense and 18th in total defense. Carleton averages 217 yards passing this season, led by quarterback Conor Lynch and wide receivers Anthony Kemper and Chris Madden.
Lynch has played consistently through the air in his first three games, throwing four touchdowns and no interceptions. Heffelfinger reiterated the importance of being the best team they can be against these strong players Saturday.
“They definitely have some weapons,” Heffelfinger said. “I think first of all, we need to make them a one-dimensional team and stop the run.”
The Tommies have 12 sacks, an interception and have forced three fumbles on the season. Their defense has been nearly impossible to score on in the second half this season; they’ve outscored opponents 37-6.
Kyle Jonas can be reached at jona7984@stthomas.edu.