Quarterbacks Alex Fenske, John Gould, Jonah Koski and Dylan Andrew all took the field for the No. 15-ranked St. Thomas football team in a 43-7 win over Hamline University Saturday at O’Shaughnessy Stadium.

While Fenske started the game and saw a majority of the playing time, Gould played parts of the second and fourth quarters, contributing 114 rushing yards in under five minutes of play in the second quarter. Gould’s sensational 61-yard scamper for a touchdown just before halftime put the Tommies up 29-0.

With Koski and Andrew playing late in the fourth quarter after St. Thomas had put the game out of reach, each of St. Thomas’ six quarterbacks have taken snaps this season.

“It’s tough to call a play and then look over and see your (top two quarterbacks) on crutches next to each other, but that’s the way life is,” coach Glenn Caruso said.

Caruso said Fenske came in throwing the ball well, while Gould also turned heads.

“Those two, as diametrically opposed as they are, that’s how we intended to use them and will continue to do so because they are very, very different beings,” Caruso said. “Both have great skill sets, but they’re completely different.”

Fenske got the Tommies (5-2 overall, 3-2 MIAC) off to a hot start passing the ball, completing his first nine pass attempts to five different receivers, including a 14-yard touchdown pass to running back Nick Waldvogel to open the scoring for the Tommies. Fenske finished with 22 completions on 31 attempts, 360 passing yards and four touchdowns.

“It all started up front with our line. They were doing a really good job with protection, and our receivers were getting in and out of the routes really crisply,” Fenske said. “We had a lot of trust there throwing and catching.”

Waldvogel had two touchdowns in the first half, one rushing and one receiving. Tight end Cole Kelly added a 23-yard touchdown catch in the second quarter, while Gould ended the first half scoring with his touchdown run.

Fenske said the Tommies’ offensive depth was key to the team’s success.

“We have so many playmakers (on the field),” Fenske said. “We want to get them in and get them the ball and give them that opportunity to make plays,” Fenske said.

Wide receiver Dan Noehring caught a 55-yard touchdown pass from Fenske early in the third quarter. Tight end Greg Kriege scored the game’s final touchdown on a 25-yard pass from Fenske with 7:22 remaining in the game.

However, Hamline also showed that it had playmakers of its own. Hamline running back Austin Duncan carried the ball 37 times and finished with 190 rushing yards, making him the first player to carry for more than 100 yards against the Tommie defense this season.

While a majority of Duncan’s yards came in the second half when the Tommies had a comfortable lead, Caruso said he wasn’t happy about giving up that many yards on the ground.

“We’re not used to the ball being run like that on us, so that’s something we have to clean up,” Caruso said.

The St. Thomas defense was able to limit Duncan to only one touchdown and also forced his first fumble of the season, but cornerback Mozus Ikuenobe credited Duncan with being a force for the Pipers throughout the game.

“He’s a really good player, probably the best back we’ve seen all season,” Ikuenobe said.

Caruso said the victory was validating after a tough conference loss to Bethel last week.

“It always feels good to win and win in big fashion regardless of who you’re playing,” Caruso said. “One of the things I keep mentioning is that I love the resiliency of our players. You move forward, and we showed that today.”

The Tommies travel to Minneapolis next weekend to take on an Augsburg team looking to bounce back from a 47-20 loss to Concordia-Moorhead Saturday.

Jacob Sevening can be reached at seve8586@stthomas.edu.