Defense plays strong, Tommies advance

St. Thomas football (10-1) defeated Eureka College (Il.) (8-3) 47-8 Saturday at O’Shaughnessy Stadium as the Tommie defense allowed only 46 yards on the ground.

Eureka’s running back LeAnthony Reasnover, who came into the game as the second leading rusher in Division III football, was held to only 41 yards on 27 carries.

Linebacker Adam Brant led the Tommie defense with eight tackles and an interception returned for a touchdown in the third quarter that gave St. Thomas a 34-0 lead.

The defense allowed 155 yards of total offense and held the Red Devils to 4 of 18 on third-down conversions.

Quarterback Jacques Perra completed 13 of his 28 passes for 132 yards and two touchdowns.

Running back Josh Parks rushed for 106 yards on 20 carries including a 16-yard touchdown run in the second quarter.

St. Thomas advances to take on Berry College (Ga.) next Saturday. The location has not yet been announced.

Berry (11-0) defeated Huntingdon College (Ala.) 34-20 Saturday at home.

Brady Halbmaier can be reached at halb2084@stthomas.edu.