St. Thomas scores on two blocked punts and a pick-6 to beat Stetson 34-24

Published Oct. 5, 2024 7:08 p.m. ET

Associated Press

SAINT PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Matthew Guggemos and Logan Cassady each scored on a blocked punt on Stetson's first two possessions, sparking St. Thomas-Minnesota to a 34-24 victory over the Hatters in a Pioneer Football League opener for both schools on Saturday.

Guggemos smothered Stetson's punt from its own end zone in the game's opening minute, falling on the loose ball for a quick, 6-0 lead. Four minutes later, on fourth down at the Stetson 34, Cassady roared in to block the Hatters' punt attempt, scooping the loose ball and racing 14 yards to score. Grif Wurtz added a two-point conversion to make it 14-0 before the Tommies ran an offensive play.

Hope Adebayo blasted up the middle to score from the 12 on St. Thomas' opening drive and Ryan Calcagno added a pick-6 for a 28-0 lead with more than three minutes left in the first quarter.

Brady Meitz rallied Stetson with a pair of third quarter touchdown passes, hitting Aanjay Feliciano from 16-yards out and Ronnel Johnson with a 15-yard strike, but the Tommies (2-3) picked off three Meitz passes to preserve the win.

Meitz finished 23-for-48 passing for 193 yards for Stetson (2-3).

Adebayo carried 19 times for 95 yards.

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Matthew Guggemos blocked a Stetson punt at the goal line on the game's first series and recovered the loose ball for a touchdown and Logan Cassady blocked one on the second and returned it 14 yards for a score, igniting a 28-point first quarter as St. Thomas-Minnesota beat Stetson 34-24 in the Pioneer Football League opener for both schools Saturday.