LEBANON, Tenn. (September 11, 2021) - The St. Thomas University (STU) Football team (3-0, 1-0 MSC) defeated the Phoenix of Cumberland University from Nokes-Lasater Field on Friday afternoon, 34-6. The defense was in complete control the whole game while the offense had an explosive second quarter that would end up putting the game out of range.
 
Game Notes
 
First Quarter

• St. Thomas won the toss and elected to kick to start the game.
• The defense forced the Phoenix to a quick three and out and got the offense on the field immediately.
• The Bobcats opened with a 12-play 57-yard drive that resulted in Alejandro Prado's hitting a 35-yard field goal to put the team up 3-0.
• The STU defense was only allowed two first downs for Cumberland and forced every drive to a punt.

 
Second Quarter

• The St. Thomas offense exploded for 24-points this quarter.
• In just the second play of the quarter Nicholas Engler forced a fumble that was recovered by Sidney Porter to get the offense back on the field.
• STU gained possession on the visitor-39 and took advantage of the turnover to get Prado in position to nail a 32-yard field goal and put the Bobcats up 6-0.
• In just one play for the Cumberland offense, Porter denied them any opportunity with an interception.
• St. Thomas gained possession on the visitor-40 and was ready to get the offense going.
• Rotavious Farmer made his Bobcat debut and did not disappoint.
• Farmer led the first scoring drive rushing for 26-yards in the drive and found the endzone on an eight-yard rush for his first career touchdown, this put STU up 13-0 as Prado hit the extra point.
• Cumberland had a seven-play drive that resulted in a punt that put the STU offense back on the field.
• Tyler Thomas found Joshua Beneby in the opening play of the drive for a 16-yard reception.
• The very next play, Rontavious Farmer took it to the house for a 54-yard rush to the endzone as St. Thomas started to distance themselves on the scoreboard taking a 20-0 lead after Prado's perfect extra point attempt.
• The Phoenix could not catch a break after looking like they were about to get the offensive momentum going, Donnell Bennett III crashed the party forcing the fumble and recovering to put STU back on the field with 2:27 left in the quarter.
• St. Thomas ran their two-minute offense looking for one last score to head into the half.
• Farmer once again led the drive with 25-yards rushed.
• Thomas was then able to connect with Colton Weismore for a 20-yard touchdown reception, the first of his career.
• St. Thomas took a 27-0 lead heading into halftime.

 
Third Quarter

• The Bobcats received to open the second half and picked right back up from where they left off.
• Tyler Thomas and C'quan Jnopierre connected for a 46-yard completion that helped cross into enemy territory.
• A mix of rushing and passing had the Phoenix defense all disorder as the Bobcats kept on rolling.
• Thomas found Beneby for a 22-yard touchdown completion to extend the lead 34-0 in the opening drive.
• Bennett III was not allowing for the Phoenix to find a hole as the Bobcat linebacker picked up four tackles and one quarterback sack in the drive.
• Cumberland attempted to go for the fourth and seven and was unsuccessful leading to the turnover on downs.
• Braden Dick had a terrific punt placing the Phoenix inside their own 20.

 
Fourth Quarter

• Ty'Quan Wiggins took over the quarterback reigns  and led the offense in the final quarter.
• Cumberland was able to find the endzone in their first drive on a 32-yard pass but missed the extra point attempt putting the score at 34-6, still in favor of St. Thomas.
• St. Thomas defense forced back-to-back turnover on downs in the final two Cumberland drives.
• The Bobcats were held scoreless in the quarter.

 
Box Score Notables

• St. Thomas scored in three of the four quarters.
• The Bobcats scored a quarter-high 24-points in the second for a program record.
• STU scored on every drive in the second quarter.
• Birthday boy, Alejandro Prado went a perfect four-for-four on extra point attempts while hitting two field goals, both from 30-yards or more.
• Donnell Bennett III led the defense with nine-tackles, two and half for loss, and one sack.
• St. Thomas is outscoring opponents 45-9 in the second quarter.
• Rontavious Farmer had 16-carries for 112-yards and two touchdowns.
• Tyler Thomas went 21-32 for 217-yards and two touchdowns.
• This is the third time in program history that the Bobcat defense held a team scoreless for the first three quarters.
• St. Thomas is now on a six-game win streak starting from October 31, 2020.
• This is the first time the Bobcats open up with a winning season.

 
Up Next
St. Thomas will travel back home and take on St. Andrews University for Childhood Cancer Awareness Day on Saturday, September 18 with kickoff scheduled for 12 p.m. from Monsignor Edward Pace High School.