ROCKFORD, IL - The Benedictine University football team won for the first time this season, holding off Rockford University 27-20 on the road to spoil homecoming for the hosts.

Benedictine put the first points of the board on the day following a fumble recovery by Scottie Bobeck. Bobeck picked up three turnovers on the day. Quarterback Nick Sternad took advantage on the first play following the fumble, connecting with Brandon Moore on a 36-yard play to move the ball deep onto the Rockford side. Jameel Stephens scored the first points with a six-yard grab on third down, making the score 7-0 with 3:34 to play in the opening quarter.

Bobeck recorded his first of two interceptions to halt a Rockford drive early in the second. The hosts were able to score later after a three-and-out, using an 11-play drive to pull within 7-6 midway through the second on a touchdown run, but a bad snap kept Benedictine ahead. Chase Hansen forced a fumble that was picked up by Ahmed Arain with under four minutes to go in the first half. Sternad found Stephens on a 28-yard play following the recovery, helping set up a 13-yard pass to Moore, putting Benedictine ahead 14-6 with 2:13 left in the half. Using the sidelines after forcing a punt in the final minute, three completions from Sternad was able to set up Milan Dezelich for a 46-yard field goal as the half expired, making the score 17-6.

The second half opened with both teams logging consecutive three-and-outs. Benedictine moved ahead 24-6 after starting at midfield. Sternad found Marcus Starks on a 21-yard play and then hit Stephens with a 22-yard touchdown at the 9:43 mark of the third. An interception by Jalaan Owens provided an opportunity for Dezelich to boot a 32-yarder, making the score 27-6 with 6:59 remaining in the third.

Rockford recorded an interception deep on their own side and responded by marching 98 yards on 13 plays to pull within 27-13 at the end of the third. Benedictine was stopped on a fourth down play and Rockford responded by scoring on a fourth down play of their own to pull within 27-20 with 10:09 left in the contest. The teams both turned the ball over twice late with Bobeck and Braden Lentini posting interceptions to deny Rockford attempts to tie.

Benedictine was able to overcome four turnovers while forcing six. Rockford ran 90 plays on offense and accumulated 459 yards. Benedictine totaled 326 with 112 on the ground and 214 through the air. Sternad threw for 212 yards with three touchdowns while adding 50 yards rushing. Moore and Stephens each caught five passes with Moore posting 76 yards and a touchdown while Stephens tallied 61 yards and two scores.

Bobeck led the defense with 10 tackles, two interceptions, a fumble recovery, two tackles for loss and a pass breakup. Owens and Danny Wood each produced nine stops.

Benedictine (1-4, 1-1 NACC) returns home to meet Wisconsin Lutheran next Saturday as part of the annual homecoming events.