FRANKLIN, IN - The Benedictine University football team opened the season with a 55-38 loss in a high scoring road affair with perennial power Franklin College on Saturday night.
Franklin opened the scoring on the first drive of the game, marching 75 yards on nine plays to take a 7-0 lead with 12:18 to go in the first quarter. Benedictine responded by utilizing an 11-play drive of primarily passes, pushing to the Franklin 11 before stalling on fourth down. The defenses took over with four consecutive quick possessions before Franklin ripped off a big play to open a 14-0 lead on an 80-yard touchdown run.
James Ellis collected the ensuing kickoff at the 10-yardline and raced 90 yards for the first Benedictine touchdown of the year.
Both teams traded scores on the first drives of the second quarter. Franklin scored on a 28-yard touchdown pass to finish a 10-play drive, and Benedictine answered with a 12-play venture.
Grant Jochums punched in a first and goal with a three-yard dive to draw Benedictine within 21-14 halfway through the second. Franklin scored on the next two trips to grab a 35-14 halftime edge.
Milan Dezelich opened the second half by booting a 40-yard field goal, the first of his college career, as Benedictine opened the scoring to battle within 35-17. The hosts took advantage of a pair of turnovers and scored three unanswered touchdowns to open a 55-17 edge late in the third but did not score again as Benedictine put the final 21 points on the board.
Jochums notched his second touchdown on a one-yard run with just five seconds left in the quarter to open the scoring run. After stopping Franklin on fourth down, Benedictine moved 72 yards on nine plays to score again when
Savone Carter snagged a 16-yard pass from
Grant Klaver. Klaver found
Alex Lopez after a fumble recovery late in the game to convert on the turnover with an eight-yard touchdown to account for the final.
Possession time was almost even in the game, but Franklin, the top offense in the nation last year, amassed over 600 yards of offense. Klaver spread the ball around, completing passes to nine different individuals. The junior, making his first career start, threw for 270 yards with two touchdowns and an interception, completing 29 passes.
Brandon Adams reeled in a season high six.
The defense was led by 13 tackles from
Danny Wood. Wood also broke up a pass.
Blake Davis added six tackles.
Benedictine (0-1) opens the home season on September 8 under the lights against another strong offensive team, Loras College.
