The Benedictine University football team went on the road for the final time this season and suffered a 24-17 defeat at St. Norbert.

Benedictine received the ball to open the game and marched down the field to take an early advantage. The first play from scrimmage was a 47-yard pass play from Phillip Jacobs to Alex Siebens. Dino Stephens drove in from four yards out to make the score 7-0 with 11:41 to play in the opening quarter. St. Norbert was able to tie the game later in the opening 15 minutes. Robert Goedert recovered a fumble on a punt halfway through the second to set up a go-ahead score. After starting from the 15-yardline Stephens again found paydirt, diving in from a yard out with 4:34 left in the half to give Benedictine a 14-7 edge. A field goal in the final minute sent the hosts into the half trailing 14-10.

St. Norbert scored two touchdowns in the third quarter to take the lead. The first score came with 3:31 to go in the quarter, making the score 17-14. Benedictine went three-and-out before a big play from St. Norbert led to another touchdown with 16 seconds left in the third. Leonidas Gamino booted a 29-yard field goal with 8:20 left in the game to bring Benedictine within 24-17. St. Norbert ground down the clock, holding the ball until a punt in the final minute. Benedictine moved onto the St. Norbert side but two deep pass attempts fell incomplete.

Stephens finished with 95 yards and two touchdowns on 23 carries. The contest marked just the second time this year that one of the top rushers in the nation failed to surpass 100 yards. Jacobs completed 13 passes for 188 yards. Tristan Weglarz caught five passes. Benedictine finished with 282 yards of offense. Jake Diamantos led the defense with seven tackles. 

Benedictine (6-2, 4-2 NACC) will host Concordia Chicago next week in the first of back-to-back games at home to end the season. Read Full Article