MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (October 27, 2024) – The St. Thomas University (STU) Football team played as the "comeback cats" last night to defeat the Webber International Warriors in thrilling fashion 45-44. It was a great night for Senior running back Rontavious Farmer as he broke the Florida Collegiate rushing record for any level, surpassing Marques Burgess (4,872) and Dalvin Cook (4,464). Farmer now sits at 4,955 career rushing yards, with his eyes set on 5,000 with three regular season games remaining.

The game kicked off with the Warriors striking first, putting Webber up 7-0 just over a minute into the game. The Bobcats quickly responded with a deep 49-yard pass from Keely Watson to David Hayes, leveling the score at 7-7 within moments. As the first quarter progressed, the Warriors regained the lead with a 39-yard field goal, making it 10-7. However, St. Thomas was not to be outdone; Rontavious Farmer scored on a 7-yard run, giving the Bobcats a 14-10 lead heading into the second quarter.

The second quarter showcased a back-and-forth battle, with a 14-yard touchdown pass for the Warriors, putting Webber back ahead at 17-14. St. Thomas retaliated with a 22-yard field goal from Zachary Alvarez, then followed up with a spectacular 64-yard touchdown pass from Watson to Hayes, extending their lead to 24-17. Just before halftime, Webber responded with a 26-yard field goal, bringing the score to 24-20 as both teams headed to the locker rooms.

The third quarter saw the momentum shift again as the Warriors scored on a 9-yard run, reclaiming the lead for Webber at 27-24. But the Bobcats quickly answered back, with Watson connecting with Hayes yet again for a 44-yard touchdown pass, pushing St. Thomas ahead 31-27. As the quarter wound down, the Warrior QB found an open receiver for a 16-yard touchdown, giving Webber a 34-31 advantage heading into the final quarter.

In the fourth quarter proved to be a nail-biter. Webber struck again, this time with a 13-yard run, extending Webber's lead to 41-31. A field goal would further stretch the lead to 44-31, leaving the Bobcats in desperate need of a comeback.With just under three minutes remaining, Farmer found the end zone again with a 1-yard run after an exciting drive, narrowing the gap to 44-38. In a dramatic finish, the Bobcats recovered an onside kick, and after a quick drive Farmer scored once more, this time from 4 yards out, completing a remarkable 14-point comeback in the final minutes and sealing the game for the Bobcats at 46-44.

Watson finished the game with an impressive performance, throwing for over 250 yards and three touchdowns. Farmer's relentless rushing contributed significantly to the comeback, showcasing the resilience and determination of the Bobcats.