MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (November 16, 2024) - The St. Thomas University Football team came to play on Senior day, where they honored their 21 seniors. The Bobcats now await the NAIA football selection show to find out if the get a bye on the 23rd, and will find out if they host or not. If they end up reciveing a bye on the 23rd, they will be back in action on the 30th with a time and a place to be announed.
The game began with an immediate burst of excitement. STU took an early 6-0 lead after senior running back Rontavious Farmer powered his way into the end zone from two yards out, capping off a 10-play, 57-yard drive. However, the Royals quickly responded with a quirky play of their own. On the PAT attempt, they fielded the fumbled ball and sprinted 97 yards untouched to the house for a stunning return, giving Warner two points on the board. St. Thomas wasted little time retaking the lead. Farmer struck again with a highlight-reel 45-yard touchdown run late in the first quarter, pushing the Bobcats back in front, 13-10. The offense continued to click for STU, with quarterback Keely Watson finding David Hayes for a 23-yard touchdown pass early in the second quarter, extending the lead to 19-10 after a failed extra point. As the first half wound down, St. Thomas kept up the pressure. Farmer added another electrifying long run—a 69-yard dash to the end zone—and Watson connected with Hayes for another score, a 4-yard touchdown that made it 32-18 at the break. Despite a late touchdown from Warner, the Bobcats went into halftime with a commanding 32-18 lead.
The second half saw more of the same from the Bobcats. Watson, who was in control throughout, opened the scoring in the third quarter with a 17-yard touchdown pass to Khalitri Zow. The extra point put STU up 39-18. But the Royals weren't done yet. They responded with a 10-yard touchdown pass, cutting the deficit to 39-24 with over nine minutes remaining in the third. However, the Bobcats answered back quickly. On their next possession, Watson found tight end Geno Lubin for a 13-yard touchdown, once again stretching the lead to 46-24. Watson finished the night with four passing touchdowns and over 300 yards through the air, showcasing his precision and leadership in a big way.
In the fourth quarter, St. Thomas continued to dominate. Zow caught his second touchdown of the game, a 20-yard strike from Watson, making it 53-24 with just over seven minutes left. The Royals managed one final push, as their running back powered in a 3-yard touchdown run to bring WU within 53-32. But the Bobcats sealed the deal with a stunning 81-yard kickoff return touchdown by Jaelyn Thomas, making it 60-32 and putting a cap on the dominant performance.
-STU-
