PLYMOUTH, WI - The Benedictine University football team was unable to slow down Lakeland University in dropping a 57-21 contest on a wet Saturday.
Lakeland took the lead early. Benedictine received the ball to start the contest and promptly went three-and-out on three rushing plays. Lakeland blocked the punt and recovered in the endzone to open a 7-0 lead less than two minutes into the game.
Handed a short field after three consecutive running attempts for a loss, Benedictine needed just one play to take their only lead of the afternoon.
Ryan Sample hit
Brandon Moore for a 26-yard touchdown with 10:01 to play in the opening quarter.
Grant Klaver connected with
Brad Nolan on a two-point conversion to make the score 8-7.
A long 12-play drive enabled Lakeland to tally a 15-8 edge. The hosts converted on three third-down attempts as part of the drive, which covered 80 yards over 5:08 and featured a two-point conversion. Benedictine moved onto the Lakeland side early in the second quarter, but a fumble and a sack forced a punt. Backed up to the eight-yardline following a 48-yard punt from Klaver, Lakeland drove 92 yards to stretch the lead to 21-6 following a failed PAT with 14:14 left in the half.
Sample was picked off on the first play of the ensuing possession, leading to another score for Lakeland and a 29-8 lead after a two-point conversion. Benedictine was able to pull within 29-14 following a 13-play drive spanning 87 yards. Faced with a pair fourth downs deep on their own side, Sample converted on both with rushing attempts as part of the drive.
Matt Fleming broke away for a 54-yard score with 7:45 to go in the half.
Neither team scored again until midway through the third. Lakeland scored a pair of touchdowns in under three minutes, turning a fumble into a second score to extend the lead to 43-14 with 3:46 remaining in the third. After another turnover,
Frankie Letizia turned an interception into a touchdown by scampering nine yards for the final Benedictine score with 1:23 left in the third. Benedictine put together two long drives in the fourth quarter but could not turn either into points.
Lakeland accumulated 554 yards in the win while Benedictine finished with 316. Benedictine totaled 82 on the ground and 234 through the air. Benedictine could not overcome four turnovers and the blocked punt, which led to 22 points.
Sample threw for 228 yards with a pair of touchdowns. Fleming totaled six catches for 104 yards.
Dean Pauley also caught six passes.
Grant Jochums paced the ground game with 10 carries for 59 yards.
Tyreese Fontanez totaled 12 tackles, including 10 solo, while adding a pass breakup.
Calvin Jordan finished with 10 solo stops and added a tackle for loss.
Benedictine (3-3, 2-1 NACC) returns home next Saturday for a 1:00 p.m. non-conference game with Olivet College on Hall of Fame Day.
