Tommies snag five interceptions, hold off the Bulldogs 21-14

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Senior running back Nick Rice scores the final touchdown for the Tommies in the third quarter. St. Thomas took a 21-14 victory over Drake University Saturday at Drake Stadium in Des Moines, Iowa. (Olivia Paradise/TommieMedia)

DES MOINES, Iowa — Two touchdowns by sophomore running back Hope Adebayo and five interceptions by the St. Thomas defense pushed the Tommies to a 21-14 victory over Drake University Saturday at Drake Stadium.

The matchup marked the first time the Tommies (6-3, 5-2 Pioneer Football League) faced the Bulldogs (2-7, 1-6 PFL) in a football game and the first time St. Thomas played in Des Moines since 1925, when it defeated Des Moines University 12-7.

The Tommies’ offense began the game slowly, gaining only 60 yards in the first quarter. St. Thomas was also unable to capitalize on two first-quarter interceptions by senior defensive lineman Brent Robley and senior wide receiver Isaiah Hall.

In addition, the Tommies had 45 yards’ worth of penalties in the first quarter, beating their season game average of 36 penalty yards per game and further hindering them from capitalizing on any scoring opportunities.

Enter Adebayo, who broke open the scoring in the second quarter.

He put the Tommies up 7-0 with seven minutes remaining in the first half on a two-yard sprint to the goal line, capping an 84-yard drive that began after senior defensive back Joe Hird got the Tommies’ third interception of the game.

Adebayo’s second touchdown came with 13 seconds remaining in the first half on an eight-yard rush as he powered through a multitude of blue jerseys in front of him.

Adebayo ended the game second in rushing with 91 yards behind senior running back Nick Rice, who had 94. Rice also added a score of his own late in the third quarter on a 28-yard TD run.

The Tommies started the second half with an interception in the endzone by senior defensive back Luke Glenna, which stopped an early scoring opportunity for the Bulldogs. However, the Tommies were unable to capitalize on the turnover, going three and out.

St. Thomas extended their lead to 21-7 late in the third quarter before the Bulldogs attempted a fourth-quarter comeback. Junior running back Caden Meis ran in a TD with 5:26 left in the game to bring the Bulldogs within one touchdown.

But the Tommies were able to hold off the Bulldogs, thanks to Hall’s second interception of the game with 11 minutes remaining.

St. Thomas takes on Presbyterian College in the final game of its inaugural Division I season at O’Shaughnessy Stadium at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 20.

Cam Kauffman can be reached at kauf8536@stthomas.edu.
Olivia Paradise can be reached at para4336@stthomas.edu