CHICAGO, Ill. (September 10, 2022) - Saturday was another chapter to add to the St. Thomas University (STU) Football History Book. The receiving votes (RV) Bobcats picked up their first win of the 2022 season in commanding fashion over no. 11 Saint Xavier University (0-2) 31-10. With the win, it marks the first ranked win in program history for St. Thomas Football.
In what was a slow start for the Bobcats offense first drive led to a three and out 50-yard punt for Braden Dick. Donnell Bennett III and Jordan Lynch earned the first sack of the year and had pressure going early to force a fourth and 21 for the Cougars. Saint Xavier was able to get five first downs in the first drive and get into the red zone. Another sack from Kendall Wilson II did dim the light in the Cougar offense that forced a 22-yard field goal attempt and put SXU up 3-0 in the first quarter.
After an interception led to the start of SXU's second drive, the Cougars were unable to capitalize off a drive that almost resulted in a safety with a fumble that was offset due to penalties on both teams.
St. Thomas started their third drive of the game on their own 22 after a 17-yard punt return from C'quan Jnopierre. The drive was leak into the second quarter and STU would get on the board. The scoring drive consisted of eight plays for 78 yards. The drive was all Rontavious Farmer as the sophomore rushed for 42 yards on seven plays. Help was added on a pass completion from Tyler Thomas to Antoine Wright for 21 yards and a passing interference call moved the Bobcats 15 more yards downfield. Farmer would have an 11-yard rush to get STU on the board and take the lead at 7-3.
This advantage would stay in favor of the Bobcats for the remainder of the contest as there were no more lead changes.
Alejandro Prado would get in on the scoring action hitting his first field goal of 2022. Prado hit the 23-yard attempt to extend the score to 10-3, Bobcats. Donnell Bennett III, Michael Torrence, and Nicholas Engler would team up to deny the Cougar's run game setting SXU back 14-yards in the following drive and forcing a three and out punt to get the offense back on the field.
Rontavious Farmer continued to shine on the offensive side getting his second score of the game before the half. With the pressure added on Thomas in the passing game, Farmer stepped up the run game and broke away for 29-yards and set up a first and goal. The sophomore would find the end zone again on a four-yard rush as STU took a 17-3 lead.
Michael Torrence joined the sack club picking up the third of the first half for the STU defense as it killed the final drive for SXU before the half ended.
The Saint Xavier defense picked up some momentum in the third quarter getting a sack of their own and using that to get a breakaway play and score in two plays to make it a one possession game again at 17-10.
After the Cougar score the third quarter was silent on the board as six consecutive drives failed. The St. Thomas defense shared the love with the secondary as Sidney Porter and Jhaqwori Austin both picked off the Cougar quarterback. Austin's would be offset by a penalty as SXU remained with the possession.
The fourth quarter was a huge momentum shift for the Bobcats that led the path to victory. The first drive of the fourth for STU switched the plan from on the ground to in the air. Aarmando McGhee and C'quan Jnopierre teamed up to get the Bobcats down the field and add some points to the guest side of the scoreboard. The big play came from the versatile Jnopierre who took the ground approach and rushed for 33-yards into the end zone. Prado's successful extra point put St. Thomas up 24-10.
The turning point that sealed the deal came from special teams. Caleb Walked blocked the Cougar punt on the home-23 that was recovered from none other than Wilson II who returned it for the fourth touchdown of the game for the Bobcats.
Nichols Engler added to the sacks for the fourth of the game and a loss of five. The run game stalled locked down as the defensive line would not allow a Cougar breakthrough.
The Bobcats would hold their own in the final drive and take their rightful victory formation.
Box Score Notables
- Rontavious Farmer - 20 carries, 95 yards, two touchdowns
- C'quan Jnopierre - 71 all purpose yards, one touchdown
- Braden Dick - five punts, 201 yards, four inside the 20
- Five Bobcats teamed up for four sacks (Engler, Bennett, Torrence, Wilson, Lynch)
- St. Thomas has only had two scoop and scores in program history, both from Kendall Wilson II
- This is the most sacks in a single game for the Bobcat defense and most tackles for loss.
Up Next
St. Thomas will host their home opener on Saturday, September 17 against North American University at the newly dedicated AutoNation Field. This will be first official football game on campus since 1992 when the Miami Dolphins would use the campus as their training camp.
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