Game Leaders
Team Stats
Passing Yards
Rushing Yards
Turnovers
Time of Poss.
MEQUON, Wis. - Concordia University Wisconsin scored a touchdown with just over a minute remaining to hand the Benedictine University football team a 28-27 road loss in the conference opener for both teams on Saturday.
Benedictine looked primed to run away early, scoring touchdowns on their first two possessions to open a 14-0 lead. Artie Monaco set up Benedictine with good field position on the first drive following a 20 yard kickoff return. The Eagles needed just seven plays to march 63 yards and score on a one yard run from Michael McNulty.
Benedictine's defense quickly regained possession after a stop and needed only six plays to march 80 yards and extend the advantage. Two big pass plays to Monaco from Cyle Schultz opened the door for another one yard plunge from McNulty with 6:41 remaining in the opening stanza.
A quick response from Concordia Wisconsin near the end of the quarter dwindled the lead to 14-7. Stefan Herron forced a fumble that was recovered by Niko Paaloalo jsut past the midway point of the second quarter to present Benedictine an oppotunity to extend the lead. Two runs from McNulty made it 21-7, the last of which from 14 yards out with 6:42 left in the half. A big play pulled Concordia Wisconsin to within 21-14 just a play later on a 61-yard hook up.
Concordia Wisconsin tied the game with 7:11 left in the third. Early in the fourth Benedictine regained the lead but could not complete the extra point. The Eagles used a nine play drive to score when Schultz hooked up with tight end Max Seibert on a four yard score with 9:06 to go. Benedictine attempted to run out the clock but gave the ball back on a punt with 3:32 left. The game winning score came following an 82-yard drive with 1:03 left. Schultz was intercepted on a last gasp effort.
McNulty ran for 209 yards in the loss with three touchdowns. Monaco caught three passes for 80 yards. Trent Altieri notched 12 tackles in the loss. Benedictine finished +1 in the turnover department with a pick and a fumble recovery.
Benedictine (2-2, 0-1) welcomes Aurora University for homecoming on October 12.