MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (September 17, 2022) – What a Saturday it was for the St. Thomas University (STU) Football team (2-1). September 17^th marked the first time a home football game was played on campus breaking in the newly dedicated AutoNation Field. What was set to be stormy day suddenly had a burst of light and energy when the Bobcats took the field. The sun shined long enough for St. Thomas to come away with the victory over North American University and bring a show to the electric home crowd.
 
The Bobcats recorded their second shutout in program history, first at home as the defense had another dominating performance. The offense scored the third most points in a game in program history with 52. Six different players scored a touchdown on the day, C'quan Jnopierre leading the way with two.
 
A couple of miscues had a slow start for the Bobcats as the first drive only went four plays and resulted in a fumble recovered by North American. The defense was able to set the tone of the game with a three and out that got the offense the ball right back. This would be one of four straight three and outs and one of five straight forced punts.
 
Trevor Phillips and Tyler Thomas carved out their names into the history books for the first touchdown on AutoNation Field. The 10-yard pass opened the pandora's box for the offense. Alejandro Prado hit one of seven extra point attempts. C'quan Jnopierre continues his electric 2022 season scoring on the very next drive on an 11-yard rush.
 
The offense would go on to score on eight of the ten drives of the game. The defense had a mix of it all forcing a punt on seven of their ten drives. Special teams picked up their second punt block of the season as this time Nicholas Engler got his hand on it. Sidney Porter picked off the Stallions quarterback in the first drive of the second half.
 
The offense picked up 26 first downs rushed for 161 yards and tallied 347 yards in the air. In 59 plays the total offense was for 508 yards and held a 60-perfect third down conversion efficiency.
 
As the fourth quarter began, the weather had decided that 52-points and three quarters of play was enough as the game was called after a lightning delay.
 
Colin Fadden led the defense with seven tackles, Donnell Bennett III led the pressure with two quarterback sacks for eleven yards. Tyler Thomas went 17-for-24 for 237 passing yards with three passing touchdowns, the seventh time in his career with a three-plus touchdown performance. Ty'Quan Wiggins came in and went a perfect seven-for-seven and scored a rushing touchdown while recording a passing one as well and a total of 110 passing yards.
 
Jnopierre had four receptions for 106 yards, one carry for 11 yards, and two touchdowns. Rontavious Farmer continued to lead the run game with 124 yards on 14 carries and a breakaway 38-yard touchdown. Prado hit his second field goal of the year knocking down the 21-yard attempt.

St. Thomas will welcome no. 24 Southeastern University next Saturday, September 24 on First Responders Day and under the lights at 6 p.m. from AutoNation Field.