Bishop Miege comes up big against St. Thomas Aquinas

Someday in the very near future, Bishop Miege football fans are going to start telling and re-telling their favorite Carter Putz stories.

There will be tales aplenty. A favorite just might be the time Putz unfurled a record-breaking touchdown pass — into the teeth of the wind — in the shadow of his own goalpost, against the Stags’ archrival.

There wouldn’t be a bit of hyperbole. Putz did just that in Miege’s 27-14 defeat of St. Thomas Aquinas at Aquinas on Friday, connecting with sophomore Daniel Jackson for a 98-yard score in the third quarter.

It was the 93rd touchdown pass of Putz’s career, and a new Kansas record.

Miege coach Jon Holmes rewarded Putz with a game ball, and Putz immediately turned to celebrate with his teammates.

“I didn’t expect any of this,” Putz said. “It’s unbelievable, but it’s not just a record for me. I couldn’t have done it without the O-line, the receivers, the running backs and especially the coaches.”

Miege (3-0) was only up six when the call came in. Aquinas (2-1) could smell a momentum change. Moments later Jackson was streaking down the left sideline, alone behind the Saints defense.

“We practice it every Thursday,” Putz said. “When we’re backed up in our own territory, we like to go on ‘two,’ and we like taking a shot to catch the defense off guard,” Putz said. “I know if I just laid it out there and let (Jackson) have the chance to go get one, he’d most likely come down with it.”

Holmes is happy his quarterback has the record in his pocket.

“He had to break in a new crew of guys, and he was seven away from the record. That’s all anyone could talk about early,” Holmes said. “And it’s sweet to come in and get it done against Aquinas.”

Jackson was, quite literally, on the receiving end of history.

“He’s one of the best quarterbacks I’ve ever seen,” Jackson said. “It’s first instinct. I just chased the ball. I’ve been doing that ever since I’ve been playing football.”

The touchdown gave Miege its first two-score lead, and some welcome breathing room in the team’s toughest test of the young season. Putz finished with 220 yards and one touchdown passing, and 30 rushing yards and two more scores.

Brison Cobbins ran for 133 yards and a score for Miege, and Jackson had 186 yards on four catches.

The Stags defense held Aquinas in check as well, forcing two turnovers, including a game-clinching fumble recovery late in the fourth quarter.

“To hold that offense, it’s incredible. They do such a great job, they just grind ya. To come up and get a turnover the way we did there, it’s just icing on the cake for us,” Holmes said.

This story was originally published September 15, 2017 at 10:20 PM with the headline "Bishop Miege comes up big against St. Thomas Aquinas."