The Benedictine University football team could not dig out of an early hole, suffering a 34-26 loss at Concordia Chicago in the final road game of the season.
Concordia Chicago scored on their first two drives of the game and blocked a punt to open a 20-0 lead with 4:38 left in the first quarter and did not trail. On a difficult weather day with lots of wind Benedictine committed to the run game and was able to score their first touchdown on a seven-yard run by
Dylan Sigel to cap a drive that featured 11 runs early in the second quarter.
A lengthy drive to conclude the first half saw
Evan Wydajewski record a one-yard touchdown to cap a 10-play drive and make the score 20-13 headed to halftime. The hosts went up by 14 again midway through the third.
Nick Shelton snared a nine-yard touchdown pass with 5:35 remaining in the third to bring Benedictine within 27-20. Benedictine blocked a punt to set up a short field and Wydajewski raced in from 17 yards but the conversion attempt was no good and Benedictine would not score again as Concordia Chicago returned a punt for a touchdown early in the fourth. Three times Benedictine moved into Concordia Chicago territory but came up empty in the fourth.
Benedictine limited Concordia Chicago to just 172 yards but suffered the defeat. Benedictine held the ball for 36 minutes of the contest.
Gregory Hoard ran for 94 yards on 20 carries. Sigel amassed 81 yards on 23 carries as Benedictine ran the ball 55 times. Wydajewski completed 12 passes for 144 yards and a touchdown while rushing for a pair of scores.
Tyler Walker led the defense with 14 tackles, 3.5 for loss.
Brian Pritt added six stops with a sack and 3.5 for loss.
Benedictine (6-3, 4-3 NACC) celebrates the seniors and concludes the season at home next Saturday against Wisconsin Lutheran.
