The Benedictine University football team scored 10 points in the fourth quarter but saw their hopes at a perfect regular season and a conference title dashed on a Concordia Wisconsin two-point conversion with 15 seconds left, suffering a 25-24 defeat on Saturday afternoon.
Concordia Wisconsin won the toss and opted to receive, embarking on a long drive before opening the scoring with a touchdown to make the score 7-0 at the 7:54 mark of the first. Benedictine immediately countered with a quick drive covering 65 yards to even the score.
Tristan Weglarz caught a 28-yard touchdown pass from
Marcus Martin to make the score 7-7 with 5:32 remaining in the opening quarter. Another long drive from the visitors saw a 29-yard field goal to kick off the second quarter make the score 10-7 with 14:56 to go in the half. Both teams moved the ball but neither could add any points the remainder of the half.
Benedictine received the ball to begin the second half and used the ground game to lead for the first time at 14-10 when Dino Stephens plunged in from a yard away with 13:05 remaining in the third. Concordia Wisconsin took advantage of a short field late in the quarter to score a touchdown and open a 17-14edge with just 24 seconds left in the third.
Benedictine put together a strong fourth to again take the lead.
Carter Velez booted a 25-yard field goal early in the fourth after a long drive to tie the game at 17-17. After forcing a three-and-out, Benedictine marched slowly down the field, working the clock for over six minutes. Stephens recorded his second TD of the game on a seven-yard burst up the middle to make the score 24-17 with just 1:07 left. The Concordia Wisconsin offense took over with a minute left and marched 70 yards in 45 seconds to draw within 24-23, using a pair of big plays to set up a score. The visitors then opted to go for two and converted on a QB keep around the edge to take the lead. Benedictine quickly advanced to the Concordia Wisconsin side of the field but a fumble as time expired ended the game.
The contest saw Benedictine outgain Concordia Wisconsin 431-391 with 214 net yards on the ground. Stephens made his return and finished with 170 yards rushing on 24 carried with a pair of touchdowns. Martin completed 22 passes for 217 yards and a touchdown. Weglarz and Jason Moore both caught six passes.
Vince Irion led the defense with nine stops. RJ Hatter,
Nick Irion and
Jake Diamantos all logged eight tackles.  Â
Benedictine (9-1, 7-1 NACC) will have a postseason game, either a bowl or the NCAA Division III Playoffs. The playoff field will be announced on Sunday afternoon at 4pm.
