The University of St. Thomas football team suffered one of the program’s most-lopsided defeats Saturday afternoon, bowing to host Lindenwood University 64-0 in St. Charles, Mo.

Lindenwood. like St. Thomas, has made a rapid rise through the NCAA to Division I status. The Lions currently play in the Ohio Valley Conference along with the likes of Eastern Illinois, Western Illinois, Austin Peay, Murray State and Tennessee State, among other schools.

Lindenwood opened the season with a 48-3 loss to Kansas, ranked in the top 25 at the time, on Aug. 29.

On Saturday, the Lions (1-3) jumped on the Tommies (1-3) early, blocking a punt on St. Thomas’ second offensive possession and recovering the ball in the Tommies’ end zone for a quick 7-0 lead.

Things went downhill from there for the Tommies, and Lindenberg led 42-0 at halftime.

Lindenwood outgained St. Thomas 541 yards to 148 for the game, limiting the Tommies to 41 yards passing and 107 yards rushing.

Joseph Koch led the Tommies’ offense with 41 yards rushing. Peyton Himley led the defense with seven tackles.

With St. Thomas missing a handful of starters because of injuries, Amari Powell made his 2024 season debut at quarterback, entering early, with the Tommies trailing 7-0.

St. Thomas is off next week, then opens its Pioneer Football League schedule on Oct. 5, hosting Stetson after starting the season with four consecutive nonconference games.