The Benedictine University football team had a game-tying field goal attempt blocked in the closing seconds, concluding the home schedule with a 10-7 defeat at the hands of Wisconsin Lutheran on Saturday afternoon.
Benedictine opened a quick first quarter by driving to the Wisconsin Lutheran 30-yardline before being stalled on fourth down. A lengthy drive resulted in a missed field goal attempt by Benedictine midway through the second. After forcing a three-and-out, several big plays helped Benedictine score a touchdown for their lone points of the afternoon.
Dylan Sigel ran for 16 yards and Dino Stephens followed with a 21-yard spurt.
Evan Wydajewski hit
Alexander Corbett two plays later for a 21-yard play to set up a one-yard plunge from Sigel with 3:04 remaining in the half.
Wisconsin Lutheran quickly beat the half by driving down and converting on a 28-yard field goal as the half expired to draw within 7-3. Receiving the ball to begin the second half, Wisconsin Lutheran, aided by a 15-yard penalty, drove down to take the lead at 10-7 with 11:19 left in the third.
Wisconsin Lutheran missed a field goal attempt and twice Benedictine was able to advance onto the visitor's half but came up empty. Forcing a punt with just over three minutes remaining, Benedictine drove within field goal distance as
Alex Siebens broke a big-play on a 41-yard pass play but the attempt to tie was blocked.
Benedictine managed 371 yards, including 252 on the ground, while limiting Wisconsin Lutheran to just 207. The visitors kept the chains moving and held Benedictine off the field for much of the game, holding the ball for nearly 37 minutes. Stephens gained 167 yards on the ground on 26 carries. Wydajewski completed nine passes for 119 yards. Corbett was his favorite target with six catches.
Tyler Walker and
Jake Diamantos both led the defense with nine tackles. Walker recorded a half sack and 1.5 tackles for loss.
Benedictine (3-4, 1-4 NACC) plays the final three games of the year on the road beginning next week at Eureka.
