Football brings focus to Tommie-Johnnie clash

St. John's defenders watch wide receiver Dan Ferrazzo receive one of his four catches from quarterback Matt O'Connell in last season's win against St. John's University. The Tommies have 451 total receiving yards in the 2013-14 season (Rosie Murphy/TommieMedia).
St. John’s defenders watch wide receiver Dan Ferrazzo receive one of his four catches from quarterback Matt O’Connell in last season’s win against St. John’s University. The Tommies have 451 total receiving yards in the 2013-14 season (Rosie Murphy/TommieMedia).

When the No. 2-ranked St. Thomas football team takes on rival St. John’s University at 1:10 p.m. Saturday, a supportive home crowd is one thing linebacker Cavan Metzler said the Tommies can count on.

“It’s always a positive having home field advantage,” Metzler said. “And we have some of the best fans.”

After a 25-7 win over Wisconsin-River Falls Thursday, coach Glenn Caruso said the team will need to take better care of the ball Saturday.

“(Thursday) reiterated how much smoother our offense works when we can stay ball-secure,” Caruso said. “When we’re not ball-secure, it just gets us out of a rhythm.”

Unranked St. John’s (2-0) is coming off close games in the first two weeks of the season, including a 17-14 win against Wisconsin-Eau Claire, a team St. Thomas (2-0) beat in its season opener 52-7. St. John’s quarterback Connor Bruns completed 15 of 29 passes for 236 yards and two touchdowns.

Metzler said the Tommies will need to play to the best of their ability and compete all game.

“They continue to have a solid, hard-nosed program, and they definitely have some weapons on their offense,” Metzler said. “We will prepare for them like we prepare for any other team.”

In last year’s matchup in Collegeville, Minn., the Tommies accumulated 405 total offensive yards, with 187 of those on the ground. This year, the Johnnie defense has surrendered an average 228.5 yards rushing per game.

St. Thomas running back Brenton Braddock said as long as every player holds their own, the Tommies should be in good shape.

“From what we have seen so far, (the Johnnies) look like a talented group with several high quality players,” Braddock said. “We just need to put a hard week’s worth of work in and be able to adjust on the fly to whatever they might do on defense.”

St. John’s coach Gary Fasching will make his Tommie-Johnnie head-coaching debut after being an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for St. John’s for the last 17 years. Having experienced the rivalry many times, Fasching said he knows what to expect coming into a game like this.

“Like all rivalry games, it’s big for both schools,” Fasching said. “A big thing is just making sure the players don’t get too over-hyped.”

The crowd exceeded 10,000 the last time St. Thomas hosted St. John’s in 2011. Even with the hype, Braddock said he knows it’s just as important as any other game.

“Sure, there might be a few more fans than other games, but they are all equally important,” Braddock said. “If we lose one game then we are on the road for the playoffs, so they’re all big.”

The Tommies bring a versatile offense to the table, challenging defenses through the air and on the ground with the high-tempo style of play. Fasching recognizes the challenge, but said his team will come ready to work.

“We know St. Thomas is a very talented, quick and athletic team,” Fasching said. “We know we’ll have to play a near perfect game to win, but that’s what our players and coaching staff expect out of ourselves every game.”

The Tommies have an extra two days of practice because of last week’s Thursday night game, something Caruso said is an advantage.

“Having extra practice time and extra film time with the guys is huge,” Caruso said. “Most importantly, it has allowed our players to get refreshed, physically as well as mentally.”

In the 82-year rivalry, the Johnnies lead the all-time series 49-31-1. However, a win on Saturday would give St. Thomas its first, fourth-consecutive win against St. John’s since 1954-1957. At this point, Caruso said there’s very few secrets between the teams.

“They’re a team that will come in with the confidence that most 2-0 teams would come in with,” Caruso said. “There’s very few trickery or magic at this point; it’s all personnel and execution.”

Kyle Jonas can be reached at jona7984@stthomas.edu.