Ben Wartman rushed for 177 yards and two touchdowns to lead St. Thomas to a 43-21 victory over host Monmouth (Ill.) in the first round of the NCAA Division III playoffs on Saturday.

The Tommies (10-1), making their first appearance in the Division III playoffs since 1990, will play Coe next Saturday in the second round. The site of the game will be announced today, although it's expected that St. Thomas will play host to the Kohawks.

The Tommies, who reached 10 victories in a season for the first time in school history, scored the game's final 16 points.

The Tommies had no turnovers, got a key touchdown off a blocked punt and didn't allow a sack as they handed the Fighting Scots their first loss of the season and their lowest point total in 26 games.

Wartman, who surpassed 100 yards for the 17th time in his past 19 games, also caught three passes for 33 yards. Colin Tobin rushed 10 times for 87 yards as the Tommies tolled up 492 yards of offense.

Fritz Waldvogel had a 71-yard kickoff return to set up a key second-quarter touchdown and had 10 catches for 96 yards.

Tyler Erstad returned a blocked punt 22 yards for a touchdown that put the Tommies ahead 20-7.

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