Box Score

MEQUON, Wis. - Benedictine University's attempt to rally back from a large deficit late in the game versus Concordia University (Wis.) came up short, 24-20, on Saturday afternoon in a battle of Northern Athletics Conference (NAC) leaders. The Eagles (2-3, 1-1 NAC) climbed back into the game with some late aerial fireworks versus the Falcons (2-3, 2-0).

The game was a tale of two halves.

CUW was in total control the first half of the game from both sides of the football. Offensively, the Falcons rolled up 241 yards of total offense. Defensively, CUW held the Eagles to just five net yards, all of which was on a pass play. In the second half, BU had the upper hand on offense (201-117), but CUW held the overall game advantage in yardage, 358-206.

Concordia received two consecutive one-yard touchdown runs from Kaz Duran (15 carries/99 yards) at the 6:50 mark of the first quarter and the 5:33 juncture of the second. Both runs capped 11-play drives by CUW, the first of which was 76 yards and the second a 71 yard series that made it 14-0.

CUW's next two scores came as direct results of interceptions by the Falcons of Benedictine starting quarterback Dave Klinger (1-for-11, five yards). The first by CUW's Justin Rogers was returned to the Eagles' 38 yard line and turned into a score three plays later - at the 3:11 mark - when Falcon signal caller Thom Pacchioli dove in from the one.

CUW took the 21-0 lead into the locker room.

Benedictine received the ball to open the third quarter, but could still not move the ball. The efforts of punter Neal Revane, last week's NAC "Student-Athlete of the Week", kept things from getting worse as he averaged 43.8 yards per punt on his five kicks in the game.

The BU defense held after Klinger's punt and forced a failed field goal by the Falcons. BU got the ball back on its own 20.

However, two plays later Klinger and the Eagles were struck by lightning again. This time it was CUW's Paul Metcalfe who intercepted Klinger near midfield.

Concordia drove the ball down to the Eagles' nine, where the series stalled and kicker Daniel Winsey nailed a 25 yard field goal to make it 24-0. But the series proved costly to CUW, as Pacchioli was injured on the fifth play and left the game and was replaced by Matt Romani.

On the ensuing kickoff, Benedictine also found itself with a new quarterback at its helm. Matt Brown was called on to take the controls.  At the same time, tailback Derek Hitt (7 carries/14 yards) - who had been nursing a bad ankle - also gave way to freshman John Alessi in the backfield.

While Alessi had little more success on the ground (31 yards/11 carries) versus the tough CUW defensive front, the Falcons found out what Brown could do for - make that to - them. The BU sophomore transfer engineered a six-play, 68 yard drive that was highlighted when Brown hit wide receiver Kevin Jednachowski in stride, resulting in a 54-yard touchdown catch-and-run.

Robert Miller's extra point kick made it 24-7 with 1:08 left on the third quarter clock.

Benedictine's defense, which had played relatively well in the first half, stepped it up a notch in the second to stifle the Falcons. Led by senior linebackers Devin Montgomery and Alex Dewey - who had 11 and nine tackles, respectively - the Eagles kept the depleted CUW offense at bay.

The Eagles mounted another drive beginning with 9:03 left to play. Unfortunately for the visitors, the series consumed nearly six valuable minutes. The set culminated with a one-yard run by Alessi with just 3:27 left to play, 24-14.

After Concordia recovered the ensuing on-side kick attempt, Benedictine was forced to burn its timeouts to preserve the clock. The defense again stiffened and forced a punt by the Falcons, first-and-ten for Benedictine from its own 14 yard line and with 2:20 left to play.

Down 10 points, Brown wasted no time. On the very first play from scrimmage, wide receiver Mike Trombetta streaked up the far sideline and got behind the defense. Brown deftly placed the ball into his hands and it was off to the races for Trombetta for an 86-yard score. The extra point try was botched and the score stood at 24-20.

The Eagles tried another on-side kick, but it was touched by Benedictine and the Falcons were able to take possession - and then take a knee - to run out the game clock and preserve the win.

Brown finished the day for Benedictine by completing six-of-nine passes for 191 yards. Trombetta's day was also productive, with three catches for 113 yards.

The 86-yard scoring pass from Brown to Trombetta was the longest touchdown pass play in the 88-year history of Benedictine University football.  It erased the 1983 record of 74 yards set when John Karpowicz connected with Bob Westerkamp versus Milton College. Karpowicz had a great view of his record being broken, since he is currently the Eagles' quarterbacks coach.