The St. Thomas football team will take to the field for its first full practice Wednesday buoyed by the fact that they will be eligible for the FCS postseason for the first time after four transitional seasons in Division I.

A Pioneer Football League (PFL) title would get them where they want to go, but matching their 2022 league championship would be a feat that defies the odds.

The Tommies, who finished 5-3 in the PFL last season (6-6 overall), were projected to finish third this season in a preseason poll of PFL coaches. And with a roster that includes 30 freshmen and seven transfers, coach Glenn Caruso opens camp knowing he has more starting roles to fill than has been the case in recent seasons.

Things will have to come together quickly. The Tommies open their season at home against Lindenwood on August 28 and travel to No. 9 Idaho the following week. They open league play on the road against preseason favorite San Diego.

They finish the regular season with a nonconference game at No. 1 North Dakota State on November 22.

“When we get into conference play, we are going to be coming off a tremendously difficult nonconference (schedule),” Caruso said. “It’s about whether we can stay healthy through the nonconference. What’s gotten us the last two years are injuries that we got in the nonconference season that carried over into the conference (slate).”

The Tommies have a new offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in Jay MacIntyre, who played wide receiver for his dad, Mike, at Colorado. Caruso is excited about the impact he expects MacIntyre to have on the offense.

“The offense still has all the principles of being balanced, the physical running game, complimentary play-action game,” Caruso said. “But he has just breathed a ton of life into the offense.”

MacIntyre will be looking to increase the production the Tommies got from the quarterback position last season. Amari Powell and Michael Rostberg return, while a third quarterback who saw playing time, Tak Tateoka, transferred to North Arizona.

Powell and Rostberg will be challenged by two others for the starting job.

“The guy who flashed the most in spring ball was (5-foot-9, 188 pound) Ryan Jackson, who we redshirted last year,” Caruso said. “We felt really good about the spring he had. We also added graduate transfer Andy Peters (6-4, 220), who played at Boise State and College of Idaho.

“There are parts of each of their game (that intrigue). I’m looking forward to seeing them compete,” Caruso added.

Starting running back Gabe Abel is recovering from injury and might not be ready for the first game. Caruso is confident that the position will be in good hands in the meantime with the likes of Joseph Koch, transfer Patrick Bowen (Long Island University) and redshirt freshman Derek Hubbard.

There is not much experience at wide receiver after the Tommies lost Jacob Wildermuth to graduation and Colin Chase in the transfer portal (Temple). The Tommies have five tight ends who have earned the right to be on the field, so Caruso said the Tommies will come with creative ways to have them contribute to the passing game.

“Mariano Birdno (6-5, 221) might be the best pass catcher we have,” Caruso said, “and the second might be Patty Wagner (6-4, 251). So, you’re probably gong to see more multiple-tight end formations.

“A lot of times you’re going to see them playing the receiver spot — maybe out of more condensed formations. That was the charge when I was looking to hire an offensive coordinator. That is where our depth and talent lies on offense.”

The offensive line will be anchored by 6-foot-8, 300-pound tackle Jason Laliberte and guard James Morrison (6-6, 341).

The secondary is the Tommies’ deepest and most talented group, with cornerbacks Branden Smith, Joseph Obeto and preseason all-league pick Den Juette and fellow safeties Nick Hand and Ryan Calcagno.

Linebackers Ryan Sever (preseason all-league) and Caden Nelson also return.

Originally Published: August 4, 2025 at 3:56 PM CDT