St. Thomas football's 31-game home winning streak snapped in opener

Saint Thomas kicked off its 2024 football season on Thursday night at O'Shaughnessy Stadium against Sioux Falls.

Heading into their fourth season as a Division I, FCS football program, the Tommies carried an NCAA-best 31-game home winning streak into their matchup against the Cougars.

Sophomores Michael Rostberg and Tak Tateoka formed a two-QB system for St. Thomas, but they were never able to find a rhythm. They combined to complete 14-of-35 passes for 150 yards, one touchdown and an interception.

The Tommies were even less effective on the ground, totaling only 22 yards on 16 carries. It was a massive difference from Sioux Falls' 205 rushing yards as a team.

The Cougars dominated much of the game and came out on top 34-13. The Tommies were voted to finish second in the preseason Pioneer Football League poll and Sioux Falls is a Division II program, so this comes as an upset.

Head coach Glenn Caruso is in his 16th year as St. Thomas' head coach and he's never suffered more than three losses in a season. With a tough matchup against Northern Iowa next week at home, they're firmly in danger of starting the year 0-2.