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LISLE, IL - Five different individuals scored touchdowns as the Benedictine University football team stormed to a third consecutive victory by a 44-7 count over visiting Wisconsin Lutheran College on Saturday.
The first quarter of the contest featured a slow start for both teams. Benedictine forced a three-and-out and stated their second drive from the Wisconsin Lutheran 30-yard line. Grant Jochums scored the first points of the game on a three-yard run. Ryan Sample set up the touchdown by breaking free for a 27-yard run. Grant Klaver ran in the two-point conversion to make the score 8-0 just over three minutes into the contest. Benedictine drove to the Wisconsin Lutheran nine late in the quarter before stalling. An interception allowed Wisconsin Lutheran to tail by just the single score after the opening 15 minutes.
Mark Hammond brought an end to a Wisconsin Lutheran drive with an interception in the end zone with 8:05 left in the first half. Benedictine proceeded to move 80 yards down field on 10 plays, moving ahead 16-0 when Matt Fleming reeled in a 15-yard score from Sample. Sample ran for a pair of first downs on the drive and added two more through the air. Austin Nirva recovered a fumble with 2:30 to play in the half, setting the stage for a quick four-play drive to push the margin to 23-0 at the half. Sample took off for a 32-yard scramble to score with 1:18 left.
Forcing a punt on the opening drive of the third quarter, Benedictine marched 71 yards on six plays to pull ahead 30-0. Dean Pauley broke away for a 42-yard touchdown reception with 12:19 remaining in the third. Stopping Wisconsin Lutheran deep on the Benedictine side, Benedictine stormed 83 yards to extend the lead to 37-0 as Joe Marella snared a 6-yard pass from Sample at the 3:57 mark.
Wisconsin Lutheran broke up the shutout with a touchdown to open the fourth after a 10-play drive. Benedictine scored the final points of the day on the ensuing drive. Sample found Pauley for his second touchdown catch on a 15-yard strike with 13:40 to play. The touchdown marked the 30th of the season for Sample, breaking his single season record of 29 from last year.
Sample completed 23 passes for 360 yards to go with four touchdowns. The third-year starter also ran for 123 yards and a score, becoming the first 100-yard rusher of the season. The 32-yard run from Sample in the second quarter marked the longest rushing play of the season. Benedictine piled up 580 yards of offense while allowing just 206. Seven players ran the ball with Benedictine accumulating 211 yards on the ground. Four players threw passes. Fleming finished with eight catches for 136 yards. Pauley notched 98 yards on four catches with two scores. Seven players made a reception.
Victor Johnson led a balanced defense with eight tackles. Brad Nolan and Danny Drummond each totaled seven. Drummond and Nolan each posted a sack while combining for 3.5 tackles for loss. Benedictine finished with six sacks and 10 tackles for loss. Scottie Bobeck posted a pair of sacks among six tackles.
Benedictine (6-3, 4-1 NACC) ends the season next week with a 1:00 p.m. home game against Aurora.