As the No. 8 University of North Dakota (UND) football team gears up to host the University of St. Thomas at 3 p.m. on Saturday, September 3, at the Alerus Center, fans are eager to learn more about their opponent in the 60th annual Potato Bowl. St. Thomas, known as the Tommies, brings a storied history and a competitive spirit into this matchup.
Leading the Tommies is head coach Glenn Caruso, who has established himself as a cornerstone of the program. With an impressive record of 165 wins against just 39 losses, Caruso is the winningest coach in St. Thomas history, having led the team through 200 games. His long-time defensive coordinator, Wallie Kuchinski, serves as the associate head coach and has been instrumental in maintaining a strong defensive identity for the team.
“They’ve been really good on defense for over a decade,” commented UND head coach Eric Schmidt, highlighting St. Thomas' reputation for tough defensive play. Schmidt noted that the Tommies' strategy involves utilizing a strong running game complemented by play-action passes, which has become a hallmark of their offensive approach. Defensively, St. Thomas aims to disrupt opponents' ground games and apply pressure on quarterbacks, minimizing big plays.
In their recent outing, St. Thomas managed to secure a narrow 15-9 victory against NCAA Division II Winona State, a team projected to finish ninth in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) preseason rankings. The game was hard-fought, with Pierce McCrary recovering a fumble in the end zone to clinch the win, while Peyton Himley sealed the deal with his first college interception.
Quarterback Anthony Policare played a pivotal role in the victory, completing 13 of 22 passes for 166 yards. The 6-foot, 203-pound junior, who transferred from Buffalo, also showcased his versatility by rushing for 73 yards on 16 carries, marking the most attempts for a St. Thomas quarterback in its Division I era. Policare's dual role extends to punting, where he averaged 30.2 yards per punt.
St. Thomas has faced challenges this season, particularly on the defensive side, having to replace nine starters from the previous year's roster, including standout linebacker Ryan Sever. The team lost a significant portion of its tackling production, with approximately 59 percent of last season's totals departing due to graduation and transfers.
The historical context of this matchup is noteworthy, as St. Thomas and UND last faced each other in 1964, where UND emerged victorious with a 30-6 scoreline. In that game, UND legend Dave Osborn contributed with a touchdown, and the Fighting Sioux dominated the rushing yards, outpacing St. Thomas 204 to 11.
St. Thomas has been competing in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) since 2022, following a controversial decision by the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) to remove them from the league. Despite the upheaval, the Tommies have continued to excel, finishing in the Top 3 of their conference in each of their first five seasons at the Division I level. They won the Pioneer Football League (PFL) title in 2022 and were selected to finish third in the preseason coaches poll this year.
In addition to Glenn Caruso, the Tommies' coaching staff includes his daughter Anna Caruso, who has been with the team since 2022, focusing on in-game strategy and data analysis. Glenn's son, Cade Caruso, also contributes to the team as a junior linebacker, adding a familial element to the coaching staff.
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