BOX SCORE

LISLE, Ill. - The Benedictine University football team shutout Rockford College 38-0 on Senior Day Saturday afternoon, improving to 7-2 and 6-0 in the Northern Athletics Conference to clinch a share of the conference title. By virtue of Aurora's 24-21 win over Wisconsin Lutheran, Benedictine has clinched a bid to the NCAA Division III playoffs.

The Eagles marched 65 yards on the opening drive of the game to grab an early 7-0 lead. Following a 15-yard personal foul play to move Benedictine to the Rockford 37, Preston Earl connected with Brandin Austin on a 37-yard score with 13:29 to play in the opening quarter. The touchdown was Earl's 17th of the season, establishing a new single season record for touchdown passes.



Benedictine padded the lead with 17 points late in the second quarter. Taking advantage of a short field, Earl found Mike Trombetta for a 29-yard strike with 7:07 remaining in the half. 



Starting again on the Rockford side of the field following a three and out, Benedictine marched 48 yards to move ahead 21-0 on just four plays, three of which covered 10 yards or more. Derek Hitt reeled in a 31-yard completion from Earl before his third touchdown pass of the afternoon, finding Austion for a 29-yard finish with 3:59 in the quarter. # L.J. Stolarski# finished the onslaught with a 39-yard field goal with just 1:19 remaining in the half.

Benedictine amassed 263 yards in the half while the defense limited the visitors to just two yards including -10 yards on the ground.

The onslaught continued at the start of the second half. After forcing Rockford into a three and out, John Borsellino returned a punt 73 yards to extend the lead to 31-0.

Earl's fourth touchdown pass of the game finished the scoring when he hit Trombetta for a 46-yard score with 9:31 to play in the quarter.

Borsellino gained 102 yards in his final home game. Earl finished 11-for-20 with 228 yards and four touchdowns, two each to Austin (4 catched, 96 yards) and Trombetta (3 catches, 86 yards). 



The defense was solid all game long for the Eagles, who limited Rockford to only 82 yards of total offense and five first downs. The Regents were 1-of-16 on third down conversions. #J.T. Zimmerman netted a game high 14 tackles while Dan Kleppin# kicked in 11. The Eagles registered four sacks in the game.



Benedictine will close the regular season next Saturday at Wisconsin Lutheran at 1:00 p.m.