The Benedictine University football team will head into the bye week with a 5-1 record after shutting out Eureka on the road Saturday night by a 56-0 final.

Benedictine did not waster any time in taking the lead. Dino Stephens broke off a 66-yard run on the second play of the game to set up a five-yard run with 12:06 to go in the opening quarter. A pair of penalties helped Benedictine convert on a two-point conversion to lead 8-0. Alex Siebens snared a 33-yard touchdown pass from Phillip Jacobs , making the score 14-0 with 6:47 to play in the first. Dawson Piper recorded an interception at the end of the first to help Benedictine push the lead to 21-0 when Stephens scored on a three-yard run. Another interception helped Benedictine take a 28-0 lead before the half. Jake Diamantos picked off the pass and Stephens scored again on a one-yard plunge with 2:30 left in the half. 

The lead continued to grow in the second half. Santino Florio broke away for an 80-yard punt return early in the third and Stephens found the endzone again with 4:37 left in the third. Jeff Leighliter recorded an interception deep on the Benedictine side and Jacobs found Tristan Weglarz for a 22-yard touchdown to make the score 49-0. Cameron Houghton recorded the final touchdown of the day, reeling in a 30-yard score midway through the fourth.

Benedictine piled up 478 yards including 309 on the ground. The defense held Eureka to just 139 yards. Stephens carried 18 times for 210 yards and four touchdowns. Negil Bruce added 79 yards on the ground. Jacobs completed 10-of-18 passes for 169 yards and three touchdowns. Diamantos led the defense with 10 tackles. Brian Pritt added to his career leading total with two more sacks for Benedictine in the win.

Benedictine (5-1, 3-1) has outscored their opponents 98-9 and will return to action at home on October 25 against Lakeland at 1pm. Read Full Article