Running back Brenton Braddock’s 3-yard touchdown plunge proved to be all the scoring the St. Thomas football team could muster in the first half, as St. John’s leads St. Thomas 14-7 at halftime at O’Shaughnessy Stadium.

Costly penalties and a St. John’s rushing attack that racked up 126 yards in the half put the Tommies behind heading into halftime.

St. Thomas forced St. John’s to punt on its opening drive, but a running-into-the-kicker penalty on the Tommies prolonged the Johnnies’ possession. St. John’s capitalized and opened the scoring with a 23-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Nick Martin to wide receiver Josh Bungum. Kicker Alexi Johnson added the extra point to give St. John’s a 7-0 lead with 8:30 left in the first quarter.

The Tommies answered right back on the ensuing drive with Braddock’s touchdown to cap off an eight-play, 62-yard drive. Kicker Paul Graupner added the extra point to tie the game 7-7.

Following a punt on St. Thomas’ next possession, St. John’s quickly scored on running back Sam Sura’s 43-yard touchdown scamper on the next play. Johnson added the extra point to give the Johnnies a 14-7 lead with 12:39 left in the second quarter.

St. Thomas advanced down the field and was in position to kick a field goal late in the half, but Graupner missed a 44-yard attempt with 28 seconds remaining.

The Tommies nearly matched the Johnnies’ offensive output on the ground with 125 rushing yards of their own, but penalties stalled multiple St. Thomas drives.

Tom Pitzen can be reached at pitz2014@stthomas.edu.