HELENA, MONTANA (September 11, 2023)- The St. Thomas University (STU) Football team dropped a close one against the #15 Carroll College Fighting Saints. Sophomore QB Keely Watson had a solid game going 10-19 with 142 yards, and two touchdowns.
 
The first half was a defensive battle, the first points scored were on the Bobcats third drive, when Rontavious Farmer rushed one in from 4 yards out. The next drive for the Saints resulted in a field goal, making it 7-3 early in the second quarter. Nearing the end of the first half, the Saints were able to knock another one through the up rights, making it 7-6 heading into the locker room.
 
STU received the ball to start the second half, and after a promising looking drive, Ty'Quan Wiggins pass was intercepted by the Saints at the Bobcat 48 yard line. The Bobcat defense came up huge, forcing the Saints to settle for a field goal, the score now 9-7 Carroll leading. After the STU defense forced the Saints to go for a 53 yard field goal, which they missed, the Bobcats were in great field position.
 
The STU offense went on a 10 play 64 yard drive capped off by a Keely Watson 28 yard strike to David Hayes for the score. C'quan Jnopierre caught the 2 point conversion to make it 15-9 STU. The next drive for the Saints ended in a sack by Kendall Wilson II and Jordan Lynch, and the Bobcats looked like they had all the momentum.
 
Just when it looked like the Bobcats were going to take over, Rontavious Farmer got the ball punched out on the first play of the drive, leaving the Saints with excellent field position. Carroll made no mistakes and scored to make it 16-15 Saints. With 13 minutes left in the game, the STU offense marched down the field, and David Hayes caught another Keely Watson strike for the touchdown. Khalitri Zow reeled in the 2 point conversion to give the Bobcats a 23-16 lead.
 
Just under 2 minutes to play the Saints were driving down the field looking to take the lead, but Jesson Walker picked off the Carroll QB in the endzone, and all the Bobcats needed was a first down to win the game. STU was unable to get a first down however, and punter Alejandro Prado took a safety to run some time off the clock. This would hurt in the end as the Saints would get great field position, and come down and score to win the game 26-23.