GREEN BAY, Wis. - The Benedictine University football team headed north for the first ever conference meeting with St. Norbert and piled up over 500 yards of offense in a 41-34 victory.
The defense forced a three-and-out on the first drive of the game before the offense was able to do what has been the recipe for success on the young season, string together a long drive. The team ticked off eight minutes in a 16-play drive that ventured 75 yards and featured 10 passes and six runs. Facing a fourth down inside the 10-yardline,
Nathan Rillo plunged forward to extend the drive.
Tyler Jarnagin found
Deandre Holliday for a three-yard touchdown pass on the next play to put Benedictine ahead 7-0 with 5:12 left in the opening quarter.
Forcing another three-and-out, Benedictine was able to march 55 yards to push the lead to 14-0.
Eli Webster recorded a two-yard touchdown run with 1:32 remaining in the first. Benedictine had a chance to further the advantage in the early part of the second quarter but missed a field goal. The defense came up big again with another stop, stalling St. Norbert at the 30, but Benedictine turned the ball over on back-to-back occasions leading to 14 points in just over a minute to tie the game. Benedictine countered with another long drive to take a 21-14 lead just before the half. Jarnagin surged in from nine yards out to complete an 11-play, 79-yard drive.
Neither team was able to score in the third quarter until late. St. Norbert took advantage of another turnover to draw within 21-20 after the extra point was blocked. Benedictine countered with another lengthy drive, moving 75 yards on 11 plays to take a 27-20 lead when Rillo plunged in from three yards away. The extra-point attempt was no good as the team tried to go for two following an aborted try.
St. Norbert missed a field goal to open the fourth following a 15-play drive and Benedictine needed just six plays to grab a 34-20 edge when Holliday reeled in a 39-yard pass from Jarnagin with 7:53 to play, setting up a frantic finish.
The hosts pulled within 34-27 by marching 60 yards in just over two minutes.
Gregory Hoard ran in from 16 yards away to cap a 75-yard drive to appear to seal the win as Benedictine led 41-27 with just over two minutes remaining. St. Norbert had one more drive, pulling within 41-34 after using just 52 seconds, but Benedictine recovered the onside kick and ran out the clock.
Benedictine racked up 535 yards of offense and held the ball for over 36 minutes. The team piled up 402 yards through the air and 133 on the ground. Jarnagin completed 28-of-42 passes for 402 yards with a pair of touchdowns. Holliday caught 11 passes for 124 yards with a pair of touchdowns. while
Nick Shelton also surpassed 100 yards receiving by catching five passes for 120 yards. Hoard carried 10 times for 57 yards while Jarnagin ran for 55. Six players caught passes.
Ahmad Washington led the defense with nine tackles.
Benedictine (4-1, 3-1 NACC) welcomes Lakeland next Saturday.
