Notables
-Marks Coach Ramler's 50th career win
-Thompson has 15 receptions for 453 yards and 4 TDs the last two times he has faced the Blue Jays
-Olson hits 50th career reception as a junior
-Saints have not lost in the eight meetings against Westminster
DULUTH, Minn. (csssaints.com) - The St. Scholastica football team was successful in its home opener at Public Schools Stadium on Saturday defeating Westminster College (Mo.) 48-18. The win marked head coach Kurt Ramler's 50th career victory.
The First Half
Five minutes into the game, CSS put the first points on the board, driving for 93 yards in three plays thanks to an 81-yard pass completion from quarterback Zach Edwards to senior Hunter Thompson. Ben Buthe rushed the next two plays to get into the end zone. A botched extra point kick made the score 6-0. Westminster went three and out on the next possession and CSS blocked the punt, recovered by Matthew Hinaus who returned it to the four yard line. Jack Peru rushed for four yards for the touchdown on the next play, and an extra point kick from Donovan Blatz made the score 13-0. The final score of the first quarter came on the next Saints possession as Edwards found Thompson for a 24-yard pitch-and-catch on fourth-and-12 to make it 20-0.
Westminster finally got on the board in the second quarter with a touchdown, but failed to complete a pass for the two-point conversion, giving them six points. St. Scholastica scored again with just under two minutes left in the half on an Aaron Olson pass completion for 90 yards. The extra point from Blatz was good, making the score 27-6 to end the half. The 90-yard touchdown marked the longest pass play from scrimmage in program history and the second-longest play overall.
The Second Half
Westminster came out strong in the second half and scored on their first drive. The Saints responded immediately with a touchdown of their own, scoring on another pass completion from Edwards to Thompson for 11 yards, extending their lead to 34-12. On the kickoff, Rick Johnson forced a fumble which put the ball back into the hands of CSS. The Saints took advantage of the turnover and put another seven points on the board. Westminster then scored the fourth touchdown of the quarter to put the score at 41-18. Only one more touchdown was scored during the game and it was in the final 30 seconds of play. The Saints drove 75 yards in 16 plays and finished on a five yard rush from Prince Okolie for a touchdown to give the game its final score of 48-18.
Notable Performances
Olson had two receptions during the game for 105 yards, giving him 50 career receptions. Thompson had an excellent day as well, with five receptions for 156 yards and two touchdowns. Peru led the team in rushing with 81 yards and a touchdown. In the pocket, Edwards went 11-for-24 on pass attempts for 325 yards with three touchdowns. On defense, Jonathan Senger was involved in a team-high 10 tackles. Blatz led with seven solo tackles. Cal Germain was behind him with four solo tackles, including two tackles for a loss and a sack.
For the Blue Jays, Chase Abbington led in rushing and receiving with 66 rushing yards, five receptions for 93 yards and two touchdowns. Trent White passed for 168 yards and two touchdowns.
Up Next
The Saints (2-1, 2-0 UMAC) are back in action at home next weekend in another Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) contest against the University of Minnesota-Morris. Kick off is scheduled for 3 p.m at Public Schools Stadium.