Game Leaders
Team Stats
Passing Yards
Rushing Yards
Turnovers
Time of Poss.
LISLE, IL - The Benedictine University football team opened the home portion of the season by rushing for over 200 yards in a 39-20 loss to Loras College.
The pace of the game started slow as the first quarter did not produce any points. After receiving the opening kickoff, Benedictine moved onto the Loras side of the field but stalled on a fourth down. The second quarter changed the tempo of the contest. Loras used an 11-play drive to take a 3-0 lead on a 21-yard field goal to open the scoring. Benedictine countered by marching 80 yards on just nine plays to take the lead on a three-yard plunge from Quin Brown. Nick Sternad completed three passes to Jameel Stephens on the drive.
Loras countered with a 75-yard drive and converted on a two-point conversion to open an 11-7 lead midway through the second. Both teams traded punts on three-and-outs before Joshua Williams broke away for a 49-yard touchdown to put Benedictine ahead 13-11 after a blocked PAT with 6:27 left in the half. The visitors jabbed ahead for good by using a drive that spanned just 1:51 after a 35-yard touchdown run. Grant Klaver produced the second-longest punt in school history before the close of the half, completely turning the field with an 84-yard boot.
Loras received the opening kickoff of the second half and proceeded to break away for a 100-yard touchdown return to move ahead 25-13. The Duhawks blocked a field goal attempt and used an 85-yard touchdown pass to grab a 32-13 edge with 9:41 remaining in the third. Benedictine responded by scoring for the final time on a 73-yard drive spanning eight plays. Marcus Starks elevated to reel in a 26-yard pass on a third-and-12 with 6:01 left in the third.
Loras accumulated 446 yards, 260 on the ground. Benedictine piled up 374 with 204 rushing. Williams ran the ball 24 times for 148 yards with a touchdown, averaging over six yards per carry. Six individuals caught passes with Stephens snatching five.
Klaver had a memorable performance as the punter, kicking six times for an average of over 50 yards per kick with a long of 84 and three inside the 20. Daytwone Burge and Scottie Bobeck both recorded interceptions. Bobeck led the defense with 15 tackles while Frank Veal III added 11 and Derek Jones 10.
Benedictine (0-2) is back at home next week at 1:00 p.m. against Olivet College in the final non-conference game.