WINTER HAVEN, Fla. (October 3, 2020) - St. Thomas University (STU) Bobcat Football (1-2) earned their first win of the 2020 season, fifth in program history, on Saturday afternoon, defeating the Warner University Royals (1-2) 38-6 from Denison Stadium. 

Beginning the game with the ball, Tyler Thomas (10/21, 138 yards, 1/2 TD/INT) led the Bobcats onto the field for the opening drive, which resulted in a three-and-out. As the Bobcat defense started their day, Christian Caruso recorded a tackle for a loss of four yards on first down, which stalled the Warner drive and gave the Bobcats the ball near midfield. Halfway through the first quarter, the teams continued trading punts. On the third STU drive of the game, the Bobcats began the possession inside the Royals 40-yard line, following a 15-yard punt return by John Israel-Cooper. Robert Armes (22 carries/105-yards) totaled 32-yards on the drive, and the possession was capped off by a 25-yard field goal by Billy McConnell, giving STU their first lead of the game and season, 3-0. 

Bry'yon Jones (17-carries/98-yards/TD) led the Bobcats on the first STU possession of the second quarter, tallying 54-yards on four carries, which also featured a 37-yard run by Armes. The ten-play drive failed to result in points for STU, as Thomas was intercepted in the endzone. STU's special teams made another impact, with Kobe Panier blocking a bunt and returning it 23-yards for a touchdown and giving STU a 10-0 lead. 

The second half began with Warner having possession, and the Bobcats forced a three-and-out. On the third down of the Bobcats drive, Thomas found Tyrese Blue for a 67-yard touchdown, extending the lead to 17-0. Later in the third quarter, Thomas was picked off for the second time in the afternoon; However, Donnell Bennett III forced a fumble, recovered the fumble, and finished the play with a touchdown, giving STU the second defensive or special teams touchdown of the game. 

Warner was finally able to get on the scoreboard on their first possession of the final quarter, scoring from five yards away and putting the score at 24-6. The Bobcat defense forced a turnover-on-downs and began their drive from mid-field. Jones capped the drive with a four-yard touchdown scamper, which was set up by a 22-yard completion to Israel-Cooper, giving STU a 31-6 lead. Reis Clark was able to get in on the Bobcat running game's action, adding a 18-yard touchdown run, as St. Thomas took a 38-6 lead in the final moments of the game. Jhaqwori Austin sealed the victory for STU, recording an interception on the game's final play as the Bobcats earned their first win of the season, 38-6.

STU, now 5-8 all-time, is undefeated (2-0) against Warner University. 

MVBobcats

• Robert Armes: 22-carries, 105-yards
• Bry'yon Jones: 17-carries, 98-yards, touchdown
• Donnell Bennett III: seven tackles, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, touchdown. 

-STU-