St. Thomas faces another challenge, and four more things to know about Minnesota college football

St. Thomas opened its season Aug. 28 in St. Paul against Lindenwood, a team that routed the Tommies 64-0 last season.

The Tommies responded with a 35-13 victory over the Lions for their first victory over a Division I scholarship program.

After the victory over Lindenwood, St. Thomas coach Glenn Caruso told reporters, “I’m very proud of the way they played tonight. I’m grateful they are able to meet a challenge.”

This week, the Tommies face another hurdle when they travel to Moscow, Idaho, to take on Idaho, which is ranked No. 11 in the AFCA FCS poll. The Vandals, who reached the quarterfinals of the FCS playoffs last season, have been ranked in the Top 25 for 36 consecutive weeks.

Idaho, 10-4 last season (including 6-0 at home), opened the season with a 13-10 loss to Washington State on Saturday at Pullman, Wash. The Vandals had tied the game with a field goal with 1 minute, 42 seconds remaining before the Cougars kicked a 32-yard field goal with three seconds left for the victory.

The Vandals held Washington State to 211 yards and outrushed the Cougars 188-3. Vandals defensive lineman Michael Jaskowiak, a junior from Glencoe, made two tackles for loss.

Vandals coach Thomas Ford Jr. is in his first season as a D-I coach.

Minnesota State Mankato moved up one spot to No. 3 after it opened its season with a 38-14 victory over Northwest Missouri State on Aug. 28 at Mankato.

Sophomores Sam Backer, who rushed for 110 yards and two TDs, and Mitchell Thompson, who passed for 177 yards and two TDs in his first career start, paced the Mavericks, who will host Minot State on Saturday.

After trailing 21-0 early in the second quarter and 27-15 at halftime, Minnesota State Moorhead outscored host Northern Michigan 29-10 in the second half to rally for a 44-37 victory over the Wildcats on Aug. 28 in Marquette, Mich.

Jack Strand threw for 336 yards and six touchdowns, with four TD passes in the second half, and Gage Florence had 17 receptions for 147 yards and three touchdowns for the Dragons.

Strand, a senior, is 49 passing yards away from 10,000 for his career. Florence, a senior, caught 100, 108 and 89 passes in his first three seasons for the Dragons.

The Dragons play at Southwest Minnesota State on Saturday.

Seven of the 10 MIAC teams will open their season Saturday. Augsburg opened Thursday, losing 27-0 at Valley City (N.D.) State, and Bethel and St. John’s will open Sept. 13.

St. John’s was ranked No. 5 and Bethel No. 12 in the D3football.com preseason poll.

Northwestern (St. Paul) and Greenville tied for first place in the UMAC preseason poll.

Northwestern went 7-0 in winning the conference title last season, while Greenville was the runner-up with a 5-2 record.