I went to my first University of St. Thomas football game as an alum Saturday. It was the regular-season finale at O'Shaughnessy Stadium in a non-conference contest with Northwestern College.
The No. 10-ranked Tommies didn't hold back. By the end of the afternoon, they had a 63-14 win under their belts, tying their modern school record in points. If you're hungry for more records, they broke school season records in points (409), touchdowns (58) and rushing (2,472 yards).
Even more impressive was the 9-1 overall record, with the lone loss coming against those pesky Johnnies in an away game. The record is the team's best since 1983, and it's the third time in school history it had a nine-win regular season. With the win, the Tommies are also 9-1 at home in the two seasons under Coach Glenn Caruso (that loss again to St. John's last season).
It was a brisk, cool fall day for football. I hadn't been to a game all season, but I'm glad I went to this one. St. Thomas came flying out of the gate with two touchdowns in just the first few minutes of the first quarter. They were making it look easy and taking it to the Northwestern team (5-5).
Possession after possession resulted in a touchdown for the Tommies, while Northwestern's punt team got its workout for the day. It was 42-7 at the half. A big kudos to the referees, and I suppose the discipline of the players too, for only a couple called penalities.
This kid's got skills
The highlight play-of-the-day for me would have to be sophomore Fritz Waldvogel's 50-yard punt return. He caught the punt in the air just inside St. Thomas territory. He made a short run to about midfield, where I thought the play would soon end as his opponents were ready to pounce. I was wrong.
Waldvogel has shown much skill and talent in his time so far at St. Thomas, but this play was nothing short of spectacular. It started out looking typical enough, but this kid can really maneuver on the field. He spun around, ran and twisted his way out of three, four, I'm not sure exactly how many tackles (In hindsight, I wish I would have been keeping closer count).
He broke through the tackles, found a few holes and made a dash for the end zone. It was the greatest play of the game that brought many Tommie fans to their feet. He also had an 86-yard kickoff return, but that was nothing compared to his first return.
What a turnaround
It's amazing to see what Caruso has done with this football program in just two seasons. He came in with the reputation of being a rebuilding coach, and it definitely shows. The team's 2007 record was 2-8. A year later they had a changed attitude and a changed record, 7-3.
From the beginning, Caruso emphasized two things: pride and passion. He instills these core values in his players, and it shows on the field. Regardless of the wins and losses, Caruso turned this program in the right direction.
Watching the Northwestern game proved yet again how much the Tommies pride themselves on their play and conduct on the field. It's great to see success with St. Thomas football, following suit with the rest of the dominant sports at the school. But it's also refreshing to see the campus excited about football again.
The Tommies will most likely receive a NCAA at-large bid to continue their season into the playoffs, something that's escaped them since 1990.
Now with so many goals achieved and positive changes, in my eyes maybe one of the biggest items on the St. Thomas football checklist that needs to be fulfilled: beating those stinky rats from St. John's.
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