WHEATON, IL - The Benedictine University football team opened the 2016 season and a new era by dropping a 26-7 decision at eighth-ranked Wheaton College on Saturday afternoon.

Debuting a new look offense, Benedictine quickly went three-and-out on the opening series of the game. Wheaton responded with a 12-play drive, taking up a bulk of the first quarter, to open an early 6-0 lead. Following another short offensive sequence, Benedictine forced a turnover on a fumble and drove deep into Wheaton territory before an interception ended the threat.

The hosts took advantage of the miscue, using a nine-play drive to extend the lead to 12-0 early in the second quarter. Benedictine again moved deep onto the Wheaton side before stalling on downs. Wheaton held the 12-0 advantage into halftime.

The game turned in less than a minute midway through the third quarter. Wheaton received a breakaway 73-yard touchdown run to go ahead 19-0 and recovered a fumble on the next defensive play to set up a second touchdown in just 52 seconds.

Benedictine moved the ball to the Wheaton 18-yard line at the start of the fourth before turning the ball over on downs. The lone Benedictine score came following a fumble recovery by Victor Johnson. Elijah Walker reeled in a 32-yard pass from Ryan Sample with 10:23 left.

Benedictine (0-1) held the ball longer than Wheaton, utilizing a 30:33-29:27 advantage. Benedictine also finished with more yards passing (276-261). Benedictine ran 73 plays in the first game under head coach Josiah Sears. Wheaton mustered 471 yards of total offense compared to 298 for Benedictine. Benedictine was able to force four turnovers but also turned the ball over four times in the defeat.

Johnson recovered three fumbles to lead the defense and added six tackles including one for loss. Maison Bittner and Jarrett Lecas each finished with eight tackles. Connor Whitman tallied the lone sack. Sample completed 27 passes for 276 yards with a touchdown and two picks. Jake Valas caught nine passes for 82 yards while Walker snared six for 81 yards with the touchdown. The team managed just 22 yards rushing.

Benedictine welcomes St. Norbert College next Saturday in the season opener at 1:00 p.m. The game is also part of Hall of Fame Weekend.