LISLE, IL - The Benedictine University football team struggled to move the ball early, falling behind 28-0 in a 42-16 loss to visiting Olivet College on Saturday night.
The first quarter started slow with neither team able to do much on their first two possessions. Olivet opened the scoring by utilizing an eight-play drive to score a touchdown with 5:21 left in the opening quarter. Following a three-and-out from Benedictine, Olivet used a 31-yard run to extend the margin to 14-0 in the final minute of the quarter.
Another three-and-out opened the second before Olivet marched 60 yards on four plays to open a 21-0 edge. Trailing 28-0, Benedictine moved on to the Olivet half late in the first half before an interception stalled the effort. Benedictine was able to score on the first possession of the second half when
Milan Dezelich booted a 24-yard field goal to put Benedictine on the board, down 28-3. The drive leading up to the field sustained itself for 12 plays. The defense held Olivet, but a blocked punt recovered in the endzone opened a stretch of back-to-back touchdowns to put the game out of reach at 42-3.
The first Benedictine touchdown of the game came following a 13-play drive covering 74 yards at the end of the third.
Quin Brown dove in from a yard out with just 29 second remaining in the quarter. Josh Williams punctuated a 14-play drive early in the fourth with a one-yard run to account for the final points.
Williams carried the ball 24 times for 83 yards.
Grant Klaver attempted 58 passes, completing 31 while throwing for 225 yards.
Brandon Adams reeled in nine passes for 83 yards while
Alex Mitchell snared eight for 69. Seven individuals caught a pass in the game. After managing under 100 yards in the first half, Benedictine finished with 305 for the game and finished 5-for-5 on fourth down.
Scottie Bobeck led the defense with 10 tackles while
Danny Wood added nine with a sack. Four different individuals posted sacks in the loss.
Benedictine (0-3) has a bye week before opening conference play on September 29 at home.
