Benedictine University's football team lost a key Northern Athletics Conference (NAC) battle on Saturday afternoon, falling to Lakeland College, 30-14, at The Sports Complex. The loss dropped the Eagles' record to 3-4 overall and 2-2 in the NAC standings.

The Muskies (3-4, 3-1 NAC) not only dominated the scoreboard, but statistically, as well. Lakeland rolled up 392 yards of offense, compared to just 172 by Benedictine. The game which featured the NAC's top two rushers – LC's Jeremy Williams and Benedictine's John Alessi – had neither post any big numbers. Williams had nine carries for six yards, while Alessi ran the ball 12 times for 36 yards.

That meant matters came down to the passing attack, where the Muskies' Jake Dworak completed 16-of-36 passes for 392 yards. Meanwhile, BU's Dave Klinger was 6-of-17 for 155 yards and his understudy Matt Brown went 3-for-7 for 17 yards through the air.

On its first possession of the game, Lakeland barely allowed fans to get comfortable in their seats before scoring at the 12:42 mark of the opening period. On their third play of the game, Dworak hit Roberto Flores with an 81 yard pass-and-run that was just the beginning of a big day for the LC wide receiver. The extra point made it 7-0.

The Eagles' defense too a bend-but-don't-break posture and held Lakeland out of the end zone despite rolling up some offensive numbers. At the 7:09 mark of the second period, BU's defense put some points in the team coffers when sophomore defensive back Matt McWilliams intercepted a Dworak pass at his own 45 and went 55 yards untouched for the touchdown.

The PAT kick was blocked to leave the score at 7-6 in favor of Lakeland.

Taking possession at the Eagles' 46 yard line after a short kickoff, Lakeland needed just two plays before Dworak split the seam with a 44-yard aerial to Flores at the 1:50 mark of the second quarter. The TD and ensuing extra point kick, gave the Muskies a 14-6 cushion.

Benedictine's offense was unable to move the ball and was forced to punt the ball. LC took over first-and-10 from its own 16 yard line with just 53 seconds showing on the clock until halftime.

The proved to be more than enough time for the Dworak-Flores tandem.

Lakeland deftly moved the ball up-field behind Dworak's arm. On the fifth play of the drive from the BU 21, Flores completed the “hat trick” by snagging his third TD strike of the afternoon. This time, it was a 21 yard pass that upped the margin to 21-6 at the intermission.

Flores finished the day with eight catches for 231 yards and the trio of touchdowns. Fellow receiver Jacob Heinemeyer had seven grabs for 160 yards.

The Muskies added nine third quarter points on a one yard touchdown pass from Dworak to Adam Miller and then on a safety when the Eagles had a snap from center go over Brown's head and he fell on it in the endzone to make it 30-6.

With 8:35 left to play, the Eagles managed their lone offensive score of the day. Beginning the series from their own 49 after a Lakeland punt, consecutive completions by Klinger to Matt Jenkins for 15 yards and Neal Revane for 35 yards placed the ball at the Muskie one yard line.

Junior fullback Eric Ritter got the call and plunged in for the score. BU went for the two-point conversion, which was good when Klinger hit Revane in the left corner to make it the 30-14 final score.

Revane's day included three catches for 121 yards through the air. He also punted nine times for BU with an average of 32.1 yards per kick.

While the offensive numbers belonged to Lakeland, both teams also got very solid defensive play. Between the two defensive units, there were 11 sacks (seven by LC), five interceptions (three by BU) and each had a recovered fumble. Lakeland also had the safety and blocked PAT.

Lakeland's defense was led by Jamie Schram and Josh Gordon with six tackles each. Schram had a sack and Gordon 1 ½ sacks on the day. Lineman Jason Bruggink had four tackles and two sacks.

Benedictine's Dan Kleppin had 2 ½ sacks and eight tackles. Defensive back Mike Hatfield and end Eddie Hill each had eight tackles, as well. Lineman Steven Donovan's nine tackles led the Eagles.