Blake Shoddie rushed for 171 yards and two touchdowns as the Benedictine University football team moved to 2-0 on the season winning a 27-22 contest in Iowa at Loras.
Benedictine led nearly the entire game. After recovering a fumble, Benedictine was able to take the lead at 7-0 when
Blake Shoddie plunged up the middle for a 1-yard touchdown with 5:09 left in the first. Shoddie helped set up the score with a 52-yard rush. After pinning Loras inside the five on their own side, Benedictine took over with plus field position.
Hundley Stallings snared his fourth touchdown catch of the year from
Evan Wydajewski on a three-yard score early in the second. The only Loras points in the first half came on a safety late in the second.
Leading 14-2 at halftime, Benedictine received the opening kickoff of the second and promptly drove down to open a 21-2 advantage when
Justin Hocker caught a three-yard touchdown. Loras responded with three consecutive touchdowns to lead 22-21 with 8:55 to go following a blocked punt. Benedictine continued to trail headed into the final two minutes before Shoddie escaped for a go-ahead 16-yard score with just 1:39 remaining. Loras was able to drive onto the Benedictine side of the field before stalling, allowing Benedictine to head into victory formation and a 2-0 start.
Benedictine managed just 286 yards but limited Loras to 214. Loras was just 3-14 on third down. Benedictine attempted just 23 passes while rushing 42 times. Shoddie racked up his total of 171 on 26 touches.
Alexander Corbett caught six passes.
Gessie Escudero and
Jose Barragan both amassed 10 tackles.
Benedictine (2-0) will host Rockford in the home and conference opener at 1:00pm next Saturday.
