St. Thomas University opened Sun Conference play with a 46-13 victory over Ave Maria University on Oct. 3 in Ave Maria, Fla. The win moved the St. Thomas University Bobcats to 5-0 overall and 1-0 in conference play, while Ave Maria University fell to 2-3 overall and 0-1. St. Thomas scored on its first offensive play and carried a 31-7 lead into halftime.
Jalen Daniels connected with Michael Duran for a 76-yard touchdown on the opening play of the game. Isaiah Lopez added a 16-yard touchdown run in the first quarter, then scored on a 1-yard run early in the second. Camden Hartzell followed with a touchdown pass to David Garcia before Ave Maria University answered with a 56-yard touchdown pass from Logan Howard to Joshua Raphael.
St. Thomas added a 44-yard field goal by JAY GIUNTA as time expired in the first half. The Bobcats scored 14 points in the first quarter and 17 in the second, while the teams played a scoreless third quarter. Ave Maria University scored six points in the fourth quarter, and St. Thomas added 15 to complete the victory.
St. Thomas University finishes with 577 yards
The Bobcats recorded 577 total yards of offense, according to the game recap. The team statistics table listed St. Thomas University with 362 passing yards and 215 rushing yards, while Ave Maria University finished with 285 total yards, including 250 passing yards and 35 rushing yards.
Hartzell completed 14 of 27 passes for 241 yards and one touchdown. Alfred Jordan caught five passes for 128 yards, and Lopez rushed for 128 yards on 18 carries while scoring twice. Hartzell also threw a 19-yard touchdown pass to Martaz Charles in the fourth quarter.
Jerome Mitchell added a defensive touchdown by returning a blocked field goal 65 yards. Ave Maria University scored twice through the passing combination of Howard and Joshua Raphael, while Jake Matigian made one extra point and missed another. JAY GIUNTA also made a 22-yard field goal.
Bobcats hold Ave Maria under 40 rushing yards
St. Thomas University held its second consecutive opponent to fewer than 40 rushing yards. Ave Maria University finished with 35 rushing yards, while each team lost one fumble and St. Thomas recorded the only interception.
Zach Marino and Kisley Wilson recorded six tackles each. Wilson added one forced fumble, Cornell Green recorded two sacks for 14 yards lost, and Jo’Van Freeney intercepted one pass.
Next game
St. Thomas University is scheduled to return to AutoNation Field on Oct. 10 against Warner University (Fla.). Kickoff is scheduled for noon.
FSB Take
St. Thomas University established control immediately in its Sun Conference opener, scoring on the first offensive play and building a 31-7 halftime advantage. The Bobcats combined 577 total yards with another performance that held an opponent below 40 rushing yards. St. Thomas University is scheduled to continue conference play at AutoNation Field against Warner University (Fla.) on Oct. 10.
Source: Original report