Turnovers doom Football to lopsided loss to Cobbers

November 8, 2002
St. Thomas lost three fumbles on special teams and were picked off three times in the second half and fell 63-21 in Friday's MIAC football game with Concordia in the Metrodome.

The Tommies finished 5-5 overall and 5-3 in the conference, tied for third place. Concordia finished 7-3 overall and 7-1 in the MIAC. The Cobbers would tie St. John's for the championship if the Johnnies lose to Bethel later Friday.

St. Thomas pulled to a 21-21 tie with 2:00 left in the first half on Nick Ambrasas' third TD pass, to TE Jon Learn. But the Cobbers scored in the final minute of the half to take a 28-21 halftime lead.

The Cobbers took advantage of turnovers to score 35 unanswered points in the second half. Ambrasas didn't complete a second-half pass until the final seconds.

Tommie senior halfback Jake Barkley gained 126 rushing yards to break a 25-year-old MIAC career rushing record held by St. John's Tim Schmitz (1974-77). Barkley finished his career with 20 100-yard rushing games and totalled 3,952 yards. He only played five full games this season due to injuries.