NEWS

 

GAME INFORMATION
Date: October 8, 2022
Kickoff: 2:00 PM ET
Stadium (Capacity): O’Shaughnessy Stadium (5,025)
Location: St. Paul, Minnesota

DAVIDSON WILDCATS
2022 Record: 4-1 (2-0 PFL)
2021 Record: 8-3 (7-1 PFL)
Head Coach: Scott Abell
Davidson Record: 30-16, 5th year
Career Record: 69-39, 11th year

ST. THOMAS TOMMIES
2022 Record: 3-1 (1-0 PFL)
2021 Record: 7-3 (6-2 PFL)
Head Coach: Glenn Caruso
St. Thomas Record: 136-25, 15th year
Career Record: Same

INSIDE THE SERIES
Meetings: 1
Series Record: Davidson, 1-0
First Meeting: Davidson W, 42-15 (11/6/21)
Last Meeting: Davidson W, 42-15 (11/6/21)
Streak: W1
In Davidson: Davidson, 1-0
In St. Paul: First Meeting
Abell vs. St. Thomas: 1-0

1ST AND 10

• Winners of four straight, Davidson enters Saturday’s contest at St. Thomas 4-1 overall and 2-0 in Pioneer Football League action.
• The Wildcats’ 31-0 blanking of Butler last weekend was their first shutout in conference play since the 2008 campaign when they defeated Campbell, 49-0, in Buies Creek, N.C.
• In addition, it was the ‘Cats second shutout during the Scott Abell era, the first coming Sept. 14, 2019, a 41-0 win over West Virginia Wesleyan.
• This weekend’s trip to St. Paul, Minn., will be the Wildcats’ first ever, as the Tommies transitioned from DIII to FCS and the PFL prior to last season.
• On Sunday, Davidson’s John Tessmann was named the PFL Defensive Player of the Week. The sophomore linebacker’s first weekly honor came on the heels of two interceptions against Butler week five.
• Tessmann is the fourth different Wildcat honored by the league office this season.
• Davidson is one of just two (Jackson State) FCS programs ranked in the Top-10 nationally in both total offense (6th) and total defense (10th).
• The Wildcats have gained over 600 yards total offense in each of their last two outings.
• Senior Dylan Sparks enters just 19 rushing yards shy of 2,000 for his career. 

SCOUTING THE TOMMIES

• St. Thomas comes in 3-1 overall and 1-0 in conference action following a 38-24 win at Marist over the weekend.
• After finishing 7-3 overall and 6-2 in their first PFL season, the were picked to finish third in the preseason poll.Tommies
• Led by sophomore running back Shawn Shipman (87.0 ypg), St. Thomas is averaging 209.5 rushing yards per game.
• Senior quarterback Cade Sexauer has thrown for 701 yards, seven touchdowns and three interceptions, while completing 53.3 percent (56-105) of his attempts.
• The St. Thomas defense is giving up just 90.3 yards per game on the ground through four contests.
• St. Thomas has won 23 straight at home and 39 of its last 40. The Tommies’ last loss at O’Shaughnessy Stadium came on Dec. 3, 2016 to UW-Oshkosh in the NCAA DIII Championship quarterfinals.

UP NEXT

• Davidson returns home to Richardson Stadium Saturday, Oct. 15 for a 1 p.m. kickoff with Morehead State.

OFFENSIVE NOTES

• In addition to leading the country in rushing offense (389.4 ypg), Davidson ranks among FCS leaders in total offense (498.2/6th) and scoring offense (39.4/8th).
• Three different Wildcats have rushed for over 300 yards on the season — Dylan Sparks (369), Coy Williams (346) and Jayden Waddell (337).
• Williams leads the team with five rushing touchdowns.
• Mark McCurdy is Davidson’s top receiver with nine catches for 144 yards and two touchdowns. The junior slot receiver also has 178 yards on the ground and a rushing touchdown.
• Quarterback Jayden Waddell has completed 60.7 percent of his passing attempts, thrown four touchdown passes and rushed for three more.
• In all, nine different players have scored offensive touchdowns for Davidson through five contests.

DEFENSIVE NOTES

• Davidson has been just as impressive on the defensive side of the ball, ranking among FCS leaders in total defense (291.8/10th), passing yards allowed (147.4/6th) and scoring defense (16.4/14th).  
• The Wildcats have recorded nine interceptions this season, including two each from Jordan Burrell and John Tessmann.
• Daniel Carter leads the way in tackles with 26, while Julian Rawlins has a team-high 1.5 sacks and three tackles for a loss.

SPECIAL TEAMS NOTES

• Highlighted by a pair of TJ Magee kickoff returns for a touchdown, Davidson is second nationally in kickoff returns (32.2).
• Caden Bonoffski is a perfect 3-for-3 on field goal attempts and 26-of-27 on extra point tries.
• Aaron Maione is averaging 19.0 yards per punt return.