Tuesday, March 17, 2020

Finish with a Win

STU CONCLUDES INAUGURAL SEASON WITH WIN OVER FAULKNER

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (November 16, 2019) – The St. Thomas University Bobcats Football team (4-6, 1-4 MSC) concluded the programs inaugural season, defeating Faulkner University (3-6, 1-4 MSC) 24-14 from Jones Field at Monsignor Pace HS on Hispanic Heritage Day.

STU won the program's first home game, finishing "Bobcat1" with four wins.

The Bobcats were led by a dominant defensive effort from the first quarter and on for the entire game, holding the Eagles offense to 240-yards on 77-plays for an average of 3.1 yards-per-play. St. Thomas forced three Faulkner "three-and-outs", limiting the Eagles to nineteen yards in the first quarter.

Faulkner scored the only points of the first quarter, recovering a blocked punt for a touchdown to take a 7-0 lead. St. Thomas began the second quarter with the ball, as Kalani Ilimaleota – Adams (10/31, 76 passing yards, 2 TDs; 13 rushes/72 rushing yards, TD) capped off an eight-play/60-yard drive with a ten-yard touchdown run on a Quarterback draw to tie the game at 7-7.

St. Thomas's defense continued to roll in the second quarter, as Jhaqwori Austin returned an interception 29-yards to the Faulkner 21-yardline, giving STU the ball inside Faulkner territory. Ilimaleota – Adams found D'Amaunte Oliver(6/48/TD) in the end zone from 16-yards away to give the Bobcats a 14-7 lead.

Cyrus Turnquest added the second STU interception of the first half, giving the Bobcats back the ball on the following Faulkner possession and with less than two minutes remaining in the first half. Ilimaleota – Adams connected with Jordan Addie, for Addie's only catch, in the end zone, as St. Thomas took a 21-7 lead into the halftime break.

Neither team scored in the third, as the Bobcats began the fourth quarter with possession of the football.

In the fourth quarter, Faulkner scored their second touchdown of the game, with eight minutes remaining to cut the STU lead to 21-14. The Eagles returned a Bobcat punt 43-yards, into STU territory. Within two plays, Jayson Contreras (13 tackles) forced a fumble, which Kahlil Bryan (seven tackles) returned 67-yards and gave the Bobcats possession inside the Faulkner 10-yardline.

Billy McConell added a 23-yard field goal, extending the Bobcat lead to 24-14 with three minutes remaining in the game. Dre Dames sealed the first-ever home win, with an interception and returned it 34-yards to five the Bobcats the football at mid-field.

St. Thomas ended their inaugural season with the win, the Bobcats finished the initial campaign with a 4-6 record; featuring wins over Union (first win in program history), Allen, Warner (first Mid-South win) and Faulkner (first home win).
 
In-game Ceremonies
Following the first quarter, St. Thomas University honored Gus and Lilliam Machado received the "Bobcat Community Service Award", for the efforts in the Miami Gardens community. The "Gus Machado School of Business" is expected to open in 2020.

St. Thomas University partnered with the Knights of Columbus, in an effort to raise money for local families for Thanksgiving dinner. The organizations combined to raise $440, $200 from an in-game collection and $240 ($10 per-point) and will provide dinners to local parishoners in the area. 
 
MVBobcats

One slips away...

STU NEARLY UPSETS #10 KU

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (November 9, 2019) - St. Thomas University Football (3-6, 1-4 MSC) nearly pulled off an upset over NAIA No. 10 Keiser University (8-0, 5-0 MSC), losing 39-32 from the Keiser Football Field on Saturday evening.

Bobcat Captains
Donnell Bennett III - Linebacker
Keyshon Gardner - Running Back

Game Notes
  • Keiser won the coin toss and deferred, allowing STU to begin the game on the offensive side of the ball.
  • The Bobcats first drive resulted in zero points, before the defense forced a three-and-out to get the ball back for STU.
  • St. Thomas needed nine plays to go 41-yards, in order to kick a field goal and take a 3-0 lead.
  • Before the first quarter ended, Keiser drove 58-yards in 14-plays to tie the game with a 29-yard field goal.
  • On the Bobcats first possession in the second quarter, STU scored their first touchdown of the game as Gardner rushed in from 11-yards away, giving the Bobcats a 10-3 lead.
  • Keiser tied the game at 10-10 on their next drive, scoring on a passing touchdown from the seven yard line.
  • Garder added his second rushing touchdown of the quarter, punching it in from two-yards away to give St. Thomas a 17-10 lead.
  • Marcus Fowles recorded an interception to give the Bobcats the ball on the Keiser 40-yard line with four minutes remaining in the first half.
  • Kalani Ilimaleota - Adams connected with Anthony Caldwell on an 18-yard touchdown pass, putting STU ahead 24-10.
  • A bad snap from the center, allowed Keiser to add points on a safety before the half; however, the Bobcats went into the break leading 24-12.
  • KU blocked a punt, on the Bobcats first possession of the second half, and returned it for a touchdown to cut the STU lead to 24-19.
  • Keiser added an 86-yards to take their first lead of the game, 26-24, with four minutes remaining in the the third quarter.
  • The Seahawks added another touchdown before the third quarter ending, heading into the final quarter leading 32-24.
  • Dametrius Love recorded the first-ever "pick-six", leading to the Bobcats tying the game on a two-point conversion at 32-32. Ilimaleota - Adams found D'Amaunte Oliver in the end-zone to tie the game with the two-point attempt.
  • Keiser took the lead for good on their next possession, as STU could not score for the remainder of the game, losing 39-32.

Upcoming
St. Thomas concludes their inaugural season on Saturday, November 16 against Faulkner University from Monsignor Pace HS. Kick-off is scheduled for 12 p.m.

Big Win

ISRAEL - COOPER'S HEROICS LEADS BOBCATS IN COMEBACK WIN

LAKE WALES, Fla. (November 2, 2019) – St. Thomas University Football (3-5, 1-3 MSC) won in a dramatic, come-from-behind, 38-31 win over Warner University (1-7, 0-4 MSC) to earn the programs' first-ever overtime and Mid-South Conference win on Saturday afternoon from Vikings Field.

Bobcat Captains
Donnell Bennett III – Linebacker
Keyshon Gardner – Running Back

Game Notes
  • On the Bobcats opening possession of the game, STU stalled and went "three-and-out", punting and giving Warner the ball on the STU-42.
  • Within three plays, WU scored their first touchdown of the game, putting St. Thomas behind 0-7 within three minutes.
  • STU tried to quickly tie the game, but fumbled on their third play of the following drive, once again giving the Royals positive field position.
  • Seven plays later, Warner added another touchdown, this time on a ten-yard rushing score to push the lead to 14-0.
  • Warner attempted and failed to convert an onside kick, which STU linebacker, Wendy Francois recovered on the 50-yardline.
  • St. Thomas struck quickly, as the Kalani Ilimaleota – Adams and John Israel – Cooper connection resulted in a 50-yard touchdown pass, for the Bobcats first score of the game.
  • After the STU defense forced a stop of the Warner offense, Billy McConnell added three-points on a field goal to cut the deficit to 14-10.
  • Warner's final possession of the first quarter, resulted in another Royals touchdown, as WU went 67-yards in three plays to finish the quarter up 21-10.
  • Neither team scored in the second quarter, as St. Thomas went into the halftime break trailing 21-10.
  • Warner added another touchdown, on their first possession of the second half, extending their lead to 28-10.
  • McConnell made his presence felt as a punter, as well. McConnell placed a punt within the WU 20-yard line, pinning Warner back on their fourteen.
  • David Crawford recorded his first interception of the season, swinging the momentum and giving STU a chance to get back into the game.
  • Mark Fontana was the bell-cow back for the Bobcats, pounding the ball in from six-yards out, to cut the deficit to 28-17.
  • WU responded with a field goal, putting STU down, 31-17.
  • Trailing 31-17 as the game entered the fourth quarter, STU needed a quick score and Ilimaletoa – Adams did just that. The quarterback led a nine-play, 79-yard drive, capped off by a Lewis Oviedo 19-yard reception for a score, bringing the Bobcats within one score at 31-24.
  • STU's defense forced three consecutive "three-and-outs" to give the offense one last chance to tie the game with less than three minutes remaining.
  • The Bobcats went 80-yards, in nine plays, to tie the game. Ilimaleota – Adams connected once again with Israel – Cooper, this time from three-yards out, with 51-seconds remaining in the game.
  • In the overtime period, Israel – Cooper found the end-zone for the third time, scoring from nine-yards away to give the Bobcats their first lead of the game and completing the comeback.
  • The Bobcat defense forced one last stop, finishing the comeback, 38-31 win for the first Mid-South Conference win in program history.
MVBobcats                                            
Kalani Ilimaleota – Adams: 26/48, 287 yards, four touchdowns
John Israel – Cooper: 13 receptions, 161 yards, three touchdowns
Dametrius Love: ten tackles, interception

Upcoming
St. Thomas plays their final road game of the season, taking on No. 10 Keiser University on Saturday, November 9 from Keiser University. Kick-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.

Lose to Ava Maria

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (October 26, 2019) – St. Thomas University Football (2-5, 0-3 MSC) lost in the first annual, AutoNation "Drive Pink" Game in support of Breast Cancer Awareness to Ave Maria University (4-3, 2-1 MSC) 37-20 on Saturday afternoon from Jones Field at Monsignor Pace High School on Saturday afternoon.
Bobcat Captains
  • Robert Armes – Running Back
  • Joey Saurez – Captain
  • Donnell Bennett III – Linebacker
Game Notes
  • Ave Maria opened the game by returning the first kick-off 99-yards for a touchdown, taking a 7-0 lead.
  • The Bobcat defense forced consecutive "three-and-outs", stalling the Gyrene offense and allowing only nine yards in two possessions.
  • Following the second "three-and-out", on the ensuing AMU punt, the Bobcats muffed the punt and gave the Gyrenes possession inside the STU 20-yard line.
  • One play later, Ave Maria scored their second touchdown of the game, taking a 14-0 lead.
  • Kalani Ilimaleota – Adams, making his second career start, led an 11-play, 58-yard drive, which was capped off with a 15-yard touchdown pass to D'Amaunte Oliver.
  • Ave Maria added ten more points before the half, heading into the break leading STU 24-6.
  • STU began the second half with offensive possession, going "three-and-out".
  • On AMU's first possession of the second half, the Gyrenes scored from 33-yards out on a passing touchdown.
  • The Bobcats final possession of the third quarter was explosive, as the Ilimaleota – Adams/Oliver connection worked again, with Oliver going 75-yards for his second touchdown of the game.
  • Following a botched punt, STU claimed field position on the AMU eight-yard line as Ilimaleota – Adams punched the ball in on a designed QB-run, cutting the deficit to 37-20.
Upcoming
St. Thomas is on the road next weekend, traveling to Lake Wales to play the Royals of Warner University in Mid-South Conference action on Saturday, November 2. Kick-off is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.
-STU-

We get waxed by Southeastern



BOBCATS BURNT ON HOMECOMING BY #12 FIRE

Next Game:

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (October 12, 2019) – St. Thomas University Football (1-4, 0-2 MSC) hosted the program's first-ever Homecoming Football game on Saturday afternoon from Monsignor Pace High School. The Bobcats were defeated by the No. 12 Southeastern University Fire (5-0, 2-0 MSC) 49-7.
Bobcat Captains: Joey Saurez, Donnell Bennett III, Kahlil Bryan
Game Notes
  • St. Thomas won the coin toss to open the game, electing to receive, and started the game on the offensive of the fourth time this season.
  • Before the end of the first quarter, No. 12 Southeastern led St. Thomas 21-0; the Fire scored on a four-yard rushing touchdown, 85-yard fumble recovery and 10-yard rush to build the lead.
  • In the closing seconds of the first half, STU recorded their only points on the game, as Kalani Ilimaleota – Adams connected with D'Aumaunte Oliver on a 15-yard fade route into the endzoe to put the Bobcats on the board at 28-7.
  • During the halftime break, St. Thomas University honored the Homecoming King and Queen, as Quarterback, James Micioni and Women's Soccer player, Isabella Santiago, received the honors.
  • Southeastern added three more scores in the second half, finishing a 49-7 rout over the Bobcats.
  • Saturday marked more than a homecoming for the Bobcats, Southeastern University tight end, Adam Toombs, returned to St. Thomas. Toombs pitched for the No. 2 STU Baseball team in 2016 and 2017.
  • The longest Bobcats drive of the game was 10-plays for 45-yards, however an interception ended the STU chance of capitalizing following a missed Fire field goal.
Upcoming
St. Thomas travels to Columbia, S.C. to take on the Yellow Jackets from Allen University on Saturday, October 19 at 12 p.m.


# 12 SOUTHEASTERN (5-0 , 2-0) -VS- ST. THOMAS FOOTBALL (1-4 , 0-2)

Team1st2nd3rd4thTotal
 Southeastern21714749
St. Thomas Football07007
SEUFB19:
 





Cooper Jones (257),
 
Lorine Parker (58),
 
Jacob McCrary (91)
STUFB19:
 
Ilimaleota, K (238),
 
Tucker, Cedric (27),
 
IsraelCooper, J (122)

DATE:
 
10/12/2019
 
SITE:
 
Miami Gardens, Fla.
 
STADIUM:
 
Monsignor Pace HS
 
ATTENDANCE:
 
1890
 
KICKOFF TIME:
 
12:00 pm
 
END OF GAME:
 
2:40
 
DURATION:
2:40
 
TEMPERATURE:
 
82
 



 
WIND:
 
N to S
 
WEATHER:
 
chance of rain + TDs
 
VIEW
 
Match History vs Southeastern

Scoring Summary

Scoring Summary
QtrTimeScoring PlaySEUFB19STUFB19
1st10:13SEUFB19 - Evan Beal 4 yd pass from Cooper Jones (David Larson kick) 5 plays, 24 yards, TOP 1:3970
1st05:37SEUFB19 - Nico Moreno 85 yd fumble recovery (David Larson kick)140
1st01:05SEUFB19 - Lorine Parker 10 yd run (David Larson kick), 5 plays, 65 yards, TOP 1:36210
2nd02:05SEUFB19 - Lorine Parker 26 yd run (David Larson kick), 1 plays, 26 yards, TOP 0:06280
2nd00:10STUFB19 - Oliver, D 15 yd pass from Ilimaleota, K (Dick, Braden kick) 4 plays, 56 yards, TOP 0:29287
3rd08:40SEUFB19 - Lorine Parker 7 yd run (David Larson kick), 13 plays, 77 yards, TOP 6:10357
3rd05:40SEUFB19 - Antwain Adams 56 yd pass from Cooper Jones (David Larson kick) 1 plays, 56 yards, TOP 0:08427
4th11:32SEUFB19 - Tony Belle 1 yd run (David Larson kick), 6 plays, 60 yards, TOP 2:22497
497