Running back Brenton Braddock’s 59-yard touchdown run highlighted the No. 6-ranked St. Thomas football team’s 37-0 halftime advantage over Carleton College in the Tommies’ homecoming game Saturday, a half played without all-conference quarterback Matt O’Connell.

Sophomore John Gould started in place of O’Connell, who is recovering from an illness, according to Doug Hennes, vice president of university and government affairs.

The Tommies, coming off a loss to St. John’s and a bye week, dominated the first half at O’Shaughnessy Stadium, scoring on six of their seven possessions.

After a 68-yard keeper by Gould, Braddock dived across the goal line for a 6-yard touchdown run to put the Tommies on the board. A two-point conversion from Dan Ferrazzo on a fake PAT made it 8-0.

Running backs Nick Waldvogel and Dominic Truoccolo each added another touchdown to increase the Tommie lead to 21-0.

Kicker Paul Graupner drilled a 44-yard field goal to put the Tommies up 24-0 before Braddock’s long run.

Third-string quarterback Alex Fenske kept it himself for a 3-yard touchdown run to put St. Thomas up 37-0 with six seconds left in the half.

Kyle Jonas can be reached at jona7984@stthomas.edu.