Tommie football loses 49-31 to unbeaten Bethel

November 4, 2000
Despite taking leads of 14-0 and 31-28, St. Thomas dropped a 49-31 MIAC football decision Friday to unbeaten and No. 1-ranked Bethel in the Metrodome.

UST outgained the Royals 435-425 yards and held a big edge in time of possession, but the Toms committed five turnovers and allowed four TD passes. One interception was returned for a 25-yard TD for the Royals' final TD.

Jake Barkley had 77 first-half rushing yards but finished with only 104 yards on the game. It was still his eighth consecutive 100-yard rushing game.

QB Nick Ambrasas completed 27-of-40 for 313 yards and two TDs but was intercepted three times. Justin Hall caught seven passes for 79 yards and TDs of 13 and 21 yards; Phil Remes had two 4-yard TD runs; Andrew Hilliard had three receptions for 73 yards; Brian Lynch kicked a 32-yard-field goal and was 4-of-4 PATs and now has made 20-of-20 PATs on the season and his last four field-goal attempts; Mike Westland caught seven passes for 83 yards to surpass 100 career catches (now 103) and 1,000 career receiving yards (now 1,051 yards); Bob Hannah had an interception; Rick Joslin had 10 tackles and recovered a fumble; and Brent Nelson had a sack among his four tackles.

The Toms (5-4 overall, 5-3 MIAC) close their season Saturday Nov. 11 at home vs. Hamline (1 p.m.). Bethel (9-0, 8-0) clinched an NCAA playoff berth and can win the conference title outright with a win at Augsburg next Saturday.

see story, some stats here