St. Thomas put together its longest play from scrimmage this season when quarterback Matt O’Connell connected with wide receiver Matt Misiewicz for an 88-yard touchdown, tying the score at 14 early in the second quarter.

“It came down to (wide receiver) Dan Ferrazzo getting the safety to bite down on him,” Misiewicz said. “I was wide open after the safety bit.”

O’Connell finished 11-of-14 for 198 yards and also ran for 85 yards. Although Caruso said he thought St. Thomas didn’t pass as much as he would have liked, he thought O’Connell’s ability to run the ball proved vital.

“Matt is one of those quarterbacks that can hurt you with the pass and with his feet,” Caruso said. “He proved that today.”

After the touchdown, Elmhurst looked poised to secure another touchdown midway through the second quarter. On first and goal at the 8-yard line, Furco rolled to his left and attempted to pitch the ball to Williams, who then fumbled the ball.

“I saw the ball on the ground and I picked it up,” defensive end Ayo Idowu said. “God didn’t build me to run 80 yards. I just slowly trotted my way into the end zone.”