(CRESTVIEW HILLS, KY) – The Thomas More University football team began their 2024 season on Saturday afternoon (Sep. 7th) against the Davenport University Panthers at Republic Bank Field. The Panthers entered the season receiving votes in the first NCAA Division II poll of the season. Thomas More's second half come back came up just short as the Saints fall to Davenport by a score of 24 to 17.
- Davenport put the first points on the scoreboard with a 56 yard touchdown pass from Mike O'Horo to Kendall Williams (7-0).
- The Panthers would strike again with 8:04 to go in the opening quarter as Kendall Williams found the end zone again to make it 14 to 0.
- Davenport would take a 14 to 0 lead into the half after no points were scored in the second quarter.
- The Davenport Panthers struck first in the second half, as Mike O'Horo ran it in from the one yard line to make it a 21 to 0 game.
- With 9:26 to go in the quarter, graduate student Rae'Von Vaden (Louisville, KY / Marion C. Moore) found sophomore Evan Brown (Lexington, KY / Lexington Christian) for a 66 yard touchdown catch. After the junior Luke Iden (Taylor Mill, KY / Scott) extra point the score was 21 to 7.
- The Saints would strike again with 4:56 to go in the quarter, as Vaden finds junior Mike Kirch (Cincinnati, OH / Elder) for a 26 yard score. The Iden PAT made it 21 to 14.
- Davenport extended their lead with 7:59 to go in the game on a 29 yard field goal. (24-14)
- Luke Iden would drill a 31 yard field goal with 4:58 to go, to bring the Saints back within a score (24-17).
- Rae'Von Vaden tossed for 160 yards on 10 completions and 2 touchdowns. He also ran for 55 yards on the ground.
- Evan Brown recorded a team high 90 yards and a touchdown on 3 catches in the game.
- Sophomore Trey Weems (Griffin, GA / Griffin) led the defense with 6 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, and a sack in the ball game.
The football team will return to action next Saturday (September, 14th) when they host Kentucky Christian at Republic Bank Field. Kickoff is set for 7:00 P.M.
