FORT WORTH, Texas (September 23, 2023) – An upset victory is exactly what the St. Thomas University (STU) Football team (2-2) needed to get back on track heading into Sun Conference action. The Bobcats hit the road for their final non-conference game against no. 13 Texas Wesleyan University and took the top-25 matchup over the Rams, 38-20, on Saturday afternoon from the Crowley ISD Multi-Purpose Stadium. This is the second biggest win in program history.

The Rams used the home field advantage and were the first team to put points on the board scoring on their first offense drive. However, the Bobcats responded with 21 unanswered points in the first half.

Rontavious Farmer turned it up and brough all the energy and momentum to the Bobcat sideline with one play breaking away with a 61-yard rushing touchdown to even the score with 3:54 on the clock in the first quarter. David Hayes joined in on the fun to sneak another score in before the first frame ended. Keely Watson and Hayes connected for the 33-yard touchdown reception. Alejandro Prado knocked down both extra point attempts to put STU up 14-7 after the first.

The defense locked in and setup for a successful second quarter forcing a punt on the second play. The punt was blocked by none other than Kendall Wilson II and recovered by Nicholas Engler setting up the offense on the three-yard line for their opening drive. Ashton Davis was then able to punch it in and break the scoring open at 21-7. 

Texas Wesleyan snuck in a field goal in the final minute to send it into the half at 21-10 STU.

Through the first half STU's defense did not allow the Rams a single third down conversion and forced a turnover on downs. Omilio Savage and Jamall Browning tagged team the quarterback pressure picking up a sack each. 

Rontavious Farmer added to his touchdown total with his second score of the game for the first points of the second half. Farmer capped off a nine play 80-yard drive with a 19-yard rush into the endzone. This would be the only score for either team in the third quarter.

Both teams exchanged field goals to open their drives in the fourth quarter. Prado hit a 47-yard one through the pillars and made it 31-13 with 5:21 remaining on the clock. Texas Wesleyan responded with a touchdown on the next drive taking it 75-yard down field to make it 31-20.

C'quan Jnopierre had made great plays throughout the game but none bigger than breaking a tackle to keep a 51-yard rush alive and put STU down at the one-yard line. This set the stage for Rontavious Farmer's third touchdown of the game and put the game out of reach one final time as just under three minutes remained on the clock. 

The Bobcat defense held the Rams to just three third down conversions as Kendall Wilson II led the way with 10 tackles. Right behind him was Donell Bennett III with seven tackles of his own and half a sack for a loss of three yards. In total the defense racked up five sacks on Rams quarterbacks and brought the pressure with 12 tackles for a loss of 53-yards.

STU produced 394 yards of offense and went a perfect four-for-four in the red zone. Keely Watson threw for 188-yards, with a touchdown. Rontavious Farmer rushed for another 100-plus yard game at 156 and three touchdowns. C'quan Jnopierre tallied up 151 total offensive yard with 102 in the air and 49 on the ground. Jnopierre had two big plays as well with the longest catch of the day for 66-yards and the second longest rush for 46-yards. 

Alejandro Prado's boot hit a 47-yard field goal, went a perfect five-for-five on extra point attempts, had 201 punting yards on five attempts for an average of 40-yards and two inside the twenty, and 421 yards on kickoff with two touchbacks on seven attempts. 

St. Thomas will now prepare for a strong Sun Conference schedule starting with Webber International on the road in Babson Park next Saturday, September 30. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. eastern time.

-STU-