Tanner Mateus booted a field goal on the first offensive possession of the game and the Benedictine University football team did not trail in recording a win at Lakeland by a 23-14 final on Saturday.
BOXSCORE
Mateus converted on a 29-yarder after Lakeland turned the ball over on downs. The defense dominated the rest of the way keeping Lakeland at bay. The hosts drove to the six yardline but a sack ended the drive. Benedictine responded with a 17-play drive, moving 88 yards up the field to take the lead 10-0 early in the second quarter following a drive of over eight minutes.
Kiandre Morris dove in from five yards out on third down for the score.
Lakeland missed a field goal and Benedictine embarked on another lengthy drive, grinding out 81 yards on 12 plays in 5:55 to lead 17-0 on a five-yard run from
Nathan Rillo. Touchdowns on consecutive possessions in the third quarter brought Lakeland within 17-14 in the final minute of the third.
Blake Davis blocked a Lakeland field goal attempt to tie the game midway through the fourth.
Evan Wydajewski competed a pair of long passes to set up another Morris dive for the clinching touchdown with 4:28 left and David recorded an interception to seal the win.
Benedictine finished with 276 yards, grabbing the win despite being outgained by almost 200 yards. Rillo ran for 62 yards and added five catches for 36 yards.
Brendan Truett led the defense with 12 tackles, including three for loss.
Brian Pritt notched three sacks.
Benedictine (5-1, 3-1 NACC) is off this week before visiting Rockford on October 22.
GAME REPLAY
Â
