The St. Thomas football team battled through injuries and adversity in 2013 but ended the season just one win away from the NCAA playoffs and contention for another trip to the Salem, Va. Stagg Bowl. With the season in the books, let’s look back at the Tommies’ push for the playoffs.
After losing first- and second-string quarterbacks Matt O’Connell and Ben Duncan to season-ending injuries and falling by seven points or less to both St. John’s and Bethel, St. Thomas’ playoff hopes looked bleak midway through the season. But as Tommie fans are accustomed to seeing, this resilient group didn’t go down easily, winning its last four games and working to keep itself in consideration for an at-large playoff bid. Defensive back Sean Hamlin noted the “tremendous” mental toughness from every player on the team this season.
“Coach Caruso always talks about how if one man goes down, the next should always be ready to step up,” Hamlin said. “It shows with how hard every player works on this team in practice every day, giving it their all whether they are first or fifth string.”
The explosive and highly efficient Tommie offense averaged 35 points, 25 first downs and 445 yards per game. On the other side of the ball, the stingy St. Thomas defense allowed an average 79 rushing yards, 262 total yards and 14.3 points per game— all MIAC bests.
Despite not making the playoffs, the Tommies finished with an 8-2 record and never fell from the D3football.com top-25 rankings the entire season.
Quarterback Alex Fenske, who took over for the injured O’Connell mid-way through the season, started arguably the season’s most important game and the biggest game so far in his young career when St. Thomas faced off with Bethel in week six. Although Fenske’s numbers weren’t dazzling (15-28, 155 yards and no interceptions), he controlled the game in an atmosphere that could have been overwhelming for a sophomore quarterback making his first collegiate start. Tight end Matt Allen said Fenske showed growth and maturity right from the start.
“When you lose a starting quarterback, it may take a while for the offense to get back in sync,” Allen said. “(Fenske’s) willingness to step up helped our offense click after losing Matt.”
The Tommies led the Royals 21-14 with five minutes left in the third quarter, but weren’t able to hold on, allowing Bethel to score a game-winning touchdown in the last minute of a back-and-forth game. Hamlin said a season that ended early this year will be a huge motivating factor to be a bigger, faster and stronger team next season.
“Not making the playoffs is always a huge disappointment to any team,” Hamlin said. “I think this will help us come together as a team to continue a legacy that was built for us from previous years that have made it deep in the playoffs.”
Running back Jack Kaiser was another standout sophomore for the Tommie offense. Kaiser tied for third in the MIAC with 13 touchdowns, while rushing for 651 yards on 141 carries.
Freshman dual-threat wide receiver and running back Nick Waldvogel contributed in numerous ways for the Tommie offense and special teams. Waldvogel rushed for 417 yards and seven touchdowns, while catching 26 passes with two receiving touchdowns.
Although he didn’t find the endzone, wide receiver Dan Ferrazzo was a go-to target all season, catching 41 passes for 450 yards. Wide receiver Dan Noehring caught 24 passes for 479 yards and one touchdown and also returned 25 punts for 268 total yards.
Defensively, linebacker Tremayne Williams led the Tommies with 39 total tackles, 5 ½ sacks, two interceptions and three forced fumbles. Linebacker Harry Pitera had 35 tackles and 2 ½ sacks, while defensive back Josh Carey followed him with 34 tackles.
All statistics aside, numerous players contributed to a Tommie defense that didn’t allow a rush of more than 35 yards the entire season and only allowed a combined 31 points in the first and third quarters.
Looking ahead
St. Thomas will say goodbye to 21 seniors who had a hand in three MIAC championships and three NCAA playoff trips to the quarterfinals or beyond. The senior class also posted a 47-5 record (30-2 MIAC) in its four seasons.
Offensively, next year’s team will look similar, only losing a few players to graduation. O’Connell will look to regain full health during the off-season, while Fenske and quarterback John Gould will remain solid options for the Tommies as well.
Defensively, St. Thomas will lose the core of its defense and depend on underclassmen to fill those roles. Williams, Pitera, Carey, defensive back Jeff Rada, linebacker Steve Dejewski, defensive lineman Riley Dombek, defensive back Winter Cullen and defensive back Walter Franklin will all leave holes in the Tommie roster.
On special teams, St. Thomas will lose punter Garrett Maloney, and that spot will likely be up for grabs heading into next season.
Hamlin said the senior leadership will be greatly missed, on and off the field.
“Next year, (our class) has to do the same and be the leaders of the team and show the younger guys what it takes to get to the next level of playoffs and fight for being together for another week,” Hamlin said. “I, for one, am very excited for that opportunity.”
With talent on the offense and year-to-year solid defense, the Tommies will be back next year looking to capitalize on more plays and not allow the NCAA selection committee to decide their playoff fate.
Allen said he will definitely miss the competitive atmosphere of playing college football.
“It’s crazy to think how much time goes into a sport,” Allen said. “The team bonding and friendships made through football will be something I’ll miss.”
Kyle Jonas can be reached at jona7984@stthomas.edu.