Football's 2004 finish ranks among most improved

July 22, 2005
The St. Thomas football team had Division III's fourth-best improvement in won-loss record from 2003 to 2004. Coach Don Roney's Tommies rebounded from a 3-7 finish in 2003 to close the 2004 season 7-2 -- a plus 4.5 gain.

Only Carthage (plus 6.5), Puget Sound and Texas Lutheran (plus 5) had better gains.

The Tommies open their 2005 season at home Sept. 10 vs. Coe, the 2004 Iowa Conference co-champion. UST topped the Kohawks 21-12 last season in Cedar Rapids. UST starts MIAC play Sept. 17 at defending conference champion Concordia-Moorhead (11-1 last season). UST also hosts St. John's in the regular-season finale Nov. 12.

2004 NCAA Division III Football
Top 8 Most-Improved Teams

School (Coach) /2004/2003

Plus 6.5
Carthage (Tim Rucks) 11-2 after 3-7

Plus 5.0
Puget Sound (Philip Willenbrock) 5-4 after 0-9
Texas Lutheran (Tom Mueller) 7-3 after 2-8

Plus 4.5
St. Thomas (Minn.) (Don Roney) 7-2 after 3-7

Plus 4.0
Marietta (Todd Glaser) 6-4 after 2-8
Ohio Northern (Dean Paul) 8-2 after 4-6
Olivet (Dominic Livedoti) 8-2 after 4-6
Thiel (Jack Leipheimer) 7-3 after 3-7


(To determine games improved, add the difference in victories between the two seasons to the difference in losses, then divide by two. Includes postseason)