Early in St. Thomas’ spring football game on Saturday at O’Shaughnessy Stadium, quarterback Tak Tateoka connected with wide receiver Colin Chase on a long touchdown pass in the left corner of the end zone.

It proved to be the highlight of the day. It also could be a precursor to what lies ahead for the Tommies’ offense. Coach Glenn Caruso’s offenses have always relied heavily on running the ball, but indications are he is ready to open things up.

On the day of the running of the Kentucky Derby, Caruso used a horse racing analogy when speaking about the talents of his top two quarterbacks — starter Tateoka and Michael Rostberg. When you’re working with thoroughbreds, Caruso said …

Specifically, he’s determined to let them throw the ball down the field. The shift in philosophy is the result of the improvement both freshman quarterbacks have made under newly hired offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Caleb Corrill.

“I call plays — I’m pretty good at it,” Caruso said. “I don’t pretend to be a quarterback guru; that’s not in my wheelhouse. Caleb has been able to get them to a point — until today we didn’t throw a single interception in a team setting all spring. That’s 15 practices.

“Both of those guys have grown leaps and bounds through the tutelage of coach Corrill.”

Rostberg did not play Saturday due to an undisclosed reason. The Tommies also were without No. 3 quarterback Amari Powell, who has missed the entire spring due to injury. Tateola is the clear starter.

“He’s playing like a third-year player,” Caruso said, “and he has been here nine months.”

Tateoka sustained a broken right fibula in Week 7 against Drake and missed the remainder of the season. He said he’s completely recovered and used the winter to add 15 pounds to his 6-foot-3 frame and now weighs 210. Rostberg is listed at 6-4, 222.

Caruso will continue to use designed quarterback runs as a weapon, but perhaps not as frequently.

“Coach Corrill brings in great pass game ideas,” Tateoka said. “I’m excited to get to toss the ball around more.”

Caruso used the word “ecstatic” when describing what he has seen from Tateoka and Rostberg.

“You should take a huge jump when you’re in your freshman year,” Caruso said. “The biggest opportunity for growth is always going to be in your first spring, but these guys have gotten faster, stronger. The game has slowed down for them.”

On defense, the Tommies’ biggest challenge has been finding replacements for two key starters, inside linebackers Tommy Shelstad and Jack Mohler.

“They’re not only your insider backers, they’re your signal callers, they’re sort of the core and the heartbeat,” Caruso said. “We weren’t able to play everyone that we wanted to (on Saturday), but they will be fine by next week.

“But that’s why you need spring ball — so the David Ayenis, the Nick Flaskamps, the Ryan Severs can get those reps.”

Caruso said safety and cornerback depth are two areas he hopes to solidify in fall camp. Both positions include two starters, and Tommies defensive coordinator Wallie Kuchinski likes to play a lot of players throughout the defense.

“I can’t honestly say the guy who is in the third spot at every one of our defensive positions is playing like a one,” Caruso said. “You don’t always answer all of your questions in spring ball, because your 28 new recruits aren’t here yet.”