The Benedictine University football team built an early advantage and did not look back, streaking to a 42-9 win over visiting Rockford on homecoming.

Benedictine received the opening kickoff and wasted no time in marching down the field to take the early lead. Santino Florio returned the kick 60 yards to set up a short field. Dino Stephens carried the ball five times, driving in from four yards out to put Benedictine ahead 7-0 with 11:53 to go in the opening quarter. Rockford countered with a long drive but was forced to punt. Benedictine pushed the lead to 14-0 moments later when Jason Moore, Jr. broke away for a 64-yard touchdown reception from Jack Moses with 5:30 left in the first. Another short field helped Benedictine open a 21-0 lead on their first three drives. Stephens scooted in from eight yards away at the end of the first quarter.

Leading 21-0 at the half following a scoreless second, Benedictine forced a punt to open the third and saw Stephens carry three more times to stretch the margin to 28-0 on a wild 27-yard run where he escaped a tackle for loss to strike with 11:25 remaining in the third. Phillip Jacobs directed a scoring drive in the fourth quarter, hitting Alexander Corbett on a 12-yard touchdown with 6:52 left in the game and directed another late scoring drive by finding Moore for a 63-yard touchdown to account for the final points.

Benedictine racked up 389 yards while limiting Rockford to just 207. The offense was balanced with 210 through the air and 179 on the ground. Stephens piled up 135 yards with three touchdowns on 20 carries. Moore caught four passes for 124 yards and two touchdowns. Jake Diamantos paced the defense with 10 tackles and recovered a fumble, returning it 28 yards. Brian Pritt became the program's all-time leader in sacks with three in the game, upping his total to 41 over three-plus years. Pritt also forced a fumble.  

Benedictine (4-1, 2-1 NACC) visits Eureka next week.  Read Full Article