St. Thomas football faces undefeated NDSU with key players out, closes DI era

St. Thomas football battles #1 North Dakota State on Nov. 22, 2025 from Fargo. The Tommies (7-4) face an uphill climb against the undefeated Bison (11-0). Key injuries hit the Tommies hard. QB Andy Peters and multiple starters won’t play.

Head-to-Head Record and Series History

These teams meet for the 24th time in program history. The Bison lead the all-time series 14-7-2. Interestingly, this marks just the first matchup since 1966—nearly 60 years between meetings. The rivalry carries historical weight despite the long gap.

NDSU enters as a heavy favorite in most betting markets. Some books show the Bison favored by over 30 points. Moneyline odds heavily favor the Bison at around -50000. St. Thomas sits as a +3500 underdog for the straight-up win.

Recent Form and Statistical Comparison

Statistic	St. Thomas	NDSU
Overall Record	7-4	11-0
Conference Record	Pioneer League	8-0 Valley
Total Points For	TBA	444
Total Points Against	TBA	133
Avg Points/Game	TBA	40.4
Avg Defense Allow	TBA	12.1

The numbers tell a brutal story for St. Thomas. NDSU’s defense allows just 12.1 points per game—elite by any standard. The Bison’s blowout ratio sits at 9 of 11 wins decided by double digits. Their closest game? A 15-10 victory over North Dakota on Nov. 8.

St. Thomas tried to stay competitive. The Tommies won five straight before losing to Presbyterian 23-9 last week. Injuries have mounted since that defeat, leaving head coach Glenn Caruso severely short-handed.

Key Injuries and Roster Impact for St. Thomas

The Tommies arrive in Fargo without their starting quarterback. Andy Peters, a graduate transfer, sits out with injury. Multiple other defensive and offensive starters won’t suit up either. This decimates the Tommies’ lineup heading into their toughest test.

Caruso addressed the injury situation candidly. He said the team will simply “play those who are able and hope for the best.” That’s about as honest as a coach can be. When you’re missing your starting QB against the nation’s best defense, the math gets ugly fast.

Interestingly, NDSU has no official injuries listed for this game. The Bison’s starters are expected for the majority of the game. This lopsided health situation adds another layer of difficulty for Caruso’s squad.

NDSU Dominance: Why This Team Is Different

Caruso called this Bison team potentially the best in NDSU’s 10-championship history. “By a lot,” he emphasized. The Bison possess that rare combination: explosive offense and suffocating defense operating simultaneously. Few FCS teams achieve this balance.

NDSU’s roster boasts an elite quarterback, NFL-caliber receivers, and arguably the nation’s best running back. Defensively? They’re worse for opponents. The Bison ranked best in the nation on defense “by a lot,” per Caruso. Complete teams win championships. This is a complete team.

The 2025 FCS Championship proved NDSU’s mettle. They defeated Montana State 35-32 in January, ending the Bobcats’ undefeated run. That win capped their 10th FCS title in 14 years—a dynasty by mid-major standards.

What To Watch For

• St. Thomas QB play: How does backup handle NDSU’s elite pass rush?
• Score margin: Bison nine wins were blowouts; will this be number ten?
• Red zone success: Can Tommies defense bend without breaking?
• Fourth quarter situation: Will NDSU starters stay in or pull back?

Why This Game Matters Year From Now?

For St. Thomas, this becomes a foundational moment. Playing No. 1 NDSU on November 22 in Fargo isn’t about winning. It’s about survival, effort, and learning. Coach Caruso sees it that way. “Any time you get a chance to play a great football team, there’s a lot you can extract from that,” he explained.

The Tommies’ Division I transition continues. St. Thomas jumped directly from Division III to Division I—an extremely rare path. This season marks their full eligibility year for postseason competition. Games like this—against the elite—accelerate development faster than regular-season wins ever could.

For Caruso personally, the game carries emotional weight. He started his coaching career at NDSU back in 1997. He met his wife in Fargo. He built lasting relationships there. Returning as an opponent creates that bittersweet nostalgia only rivals understand. “When I started my career, I found those three things: responsibility, winning, and great people,” he reflected. “It happened to be in Fargo.”

How Can St. Thomas Possibly Stay Close?

Realistically? They probably can’t win. NDSU’s talent gap is simply too wide. But the Tommies could damage control. If they keep it under 30 points, that’s a moral victory given the injury situation.

St. Thomas must control NDSU’s explosive plays. One 80-yard touchdown feels inevitable. But multiple long scores? That’s avoidable with disciplined coverage. The defense has to bend without breaking every drive. Special teams becomes critical too—field position matters exponentially more when you’re undermanned.

Offensively, St. Thomas can’t afford negative plays. Turnovers doom already-slim chances. The backup QB must limit interceptions. Short, efficient drives that consume clock beats chasing points you’ll never score against this defense.

Sources

• Twin Cities Pioneer Press – St. Thomas game preview and injury details
• NDSU Official Athletics – Bison record and statistics
• ESPN College Football – Game coverage and betting information