Football | 10/8/2014 12:10:00 PM

With the non-conference schedule completed, the Benedictine University football team will begin the Northern Athletics College Conference portion of the season on Saturday. The Eagles will travel to Milwaukee to oppose Wisconsin Lutheran College for a 1:00 p.m. kickoff.
 
Benedictine (1-3) comes off of a thrilling win 16-14 on the road over Kalamazoo College last Saturday to close out the non-conference part of the schedule. Up 13-0 at halftime, the Eagles allowed two-fourth quarter touchdowns to the Hornets to fall behind 14-13 with just 3:25 left on the clock. However, Ryan Keener would complete all three passes he attempted on the ensuing drive, and two costly Hornet penalties put the Eagles in field goal range. Jacob Plevell, who made all three field goals he attempted on the day, converted a 29-yard attempt with just 36 seconds left.
 
For his efforts, Plevell was named the NACC's Special Teams Player of the Week. The three field goals were Plevell's first of his college career and the first three kicks BenU converted this season. Artie Monaco scored the team's only touchdown (a six-yard run in the first quarter) and tallied 85 all-purpose yards on the day.  Through the air, Keener was 13-for-26 for 138 yards, finding Greg German six times for 84 yards. Defensively, Jarrett Lecas and Andrew Soulis led the team with 13 tackles, while Louis Erkins recorded an interception.
 
The Eagles will take on a Wisconsin Lutheran team who also holds a 1-3 record. Last week, the Warriors opened NACC play with a 47-7 defeat at the hands of Lakeland College. Wisconsin Lutheran struggled mightily offensively, accumulating just 65 yards of offense, four first downs, and going 0-for-15 on third down on the day. Two weeks prior, the Warriors took on Kalamazoo, defeating the Hornets 32-20 behind 463 total yards.
 
All-time, the Eagles hold a 4-2 advantage over the Warriors. One of the four victories came at the Village of Lisle/Benedictine University Sports Complex last season, with the Eagles winning 34-28 in overtime. Trailing 20-0 at halftime, the Eagles outscored the Warriors 28-8 in the second half, tying the contest on a 75 yard pass from Cyle Schultz to Blake Anders with 8:08 left. Schultz scored on a quarterback keeper from one yard out in overtime, and on Wisconsin Lutheran's possession, Stefan Herron broke up a pass in the corner of the end zone on fourth and goal to seal the win.  
 
Wisconsin Lutheran will provide live audio and stats for Saturday's game at http://portal.stretchinternet.com/wlc/.