A matchup featuring two of the top offenses in the nation came down to the defenses as the Benedictine University football team dropped a grind it out match with Aurora University on Saturday afternoon.
The Benedictine defense rose to the occasion first, forcing a three-and-out on the opening drive of the game. The offense took advantage of a short field and
Evan Wydajewski connected with
Nick Shelton on a fourth down play for a 29-yard touchdown to give Benedictine a 7-0 lead with 10:09 left in the opening quarter. Benedictine held the lead for the entire game until the closing moments.
The defense stopped Aurora after a 17-play, 70-yard drive but a miscue on fourth down put Aurora on a short field early in the second. The visitors were able to score a touchdown but a bad snap on the extra point enabled Benedictine to continue to lead. The teams traded turnovers on the nex four possessions before a field goal sent Benedictine into the half with a 10-6 advantage.
Tanner Mateus kicked home a 29-yard field goal as time expired following the second Aurora turnover deep on the Benedictine side.
Receiving the ball to begin the second half, Benedictine drove into the red zone before stalling. Mateus delivered his second field goal, this from 32, to push the advantage to 13-6 with 9:11 left in the third. Aurora quickly moved down the field to score another touchdown, but
Cyrus Taylor blocked the extra point and Benedictine held on to a razor thin 13-12 edge.
Aurora took the ball with 11:03 left in the game and marched down on 12 plays to score and take a 20-13 lead following a two-point conversion. Aurora did most of their damage in the second half on the ground. Benedictine drove to the Aurora 29 but was stopped on three straight plays to turn the ball over on downs. Aurora was able to run out the clock, gaining 18 yards on a fourth down play to seal the win.
Aurora held a 387-289 advantage in total yards with 256 coming on the ground over 47 attempts. Benedictine ran for 124 yards on 31 carries.
Gregory Hoard paced the rushing attack with 106 yards on 19 carries.
Nick Shelton caught seven passes for 108 yards and a touchdown. Wydajewski completed 14 passes for 165 yards and a touchdown.
Tyler Walker led the defense with 14 tackles while
Sergio Ayala posted 12 with an interception.
Benedictine (6-2, 4-2 NACC) plays at Concordia Chicago next week.
