The Benedictine University football team matched the single season program record for wins and equaled the longest win streak in program history by downing Aurora 31-17, setting up a matchup for the conference championship with Concordia Wisconsin next Saturday.
Benedictine raced to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter.
Jack Hayden intercepted a pass to set up the first points of the game.
Marcus Martin hit
Alex Siebens on the first play after the turnover for a 52-yard deep strike to make the score 7-0 with 8:38 left in the first.
John Thompson intercepted a pass to help Benedictine extend the lead. Another deep pass to Siebens helped to set the stage for a 6-yard pop pass from Martin to Jason Moore to make the score 14-0 in the final minute of the first. Aurora tied the game by scoring touchdowns on consecutive possessions late in the second quarter as the game headed to the break even at 14-14.
After forcing a punt on the opening drive of the second half, Benedictine used a 13-play drive, milking the clock to take the lead for good.
Tristan Weglarz broke open in the corner of the endzone for a seven-yard touchdown grab to make the score 21-14 with 5:21 remaining in the third. Aurora booted a field goal before the third came to a close, drawing within 21-17. Another long drive, aided by an offsides on a missed field goal, enabled
Carter Velez to push the lead back out to a touchdown with a 23-yard field goal at the 5:54 mark of the fourth. An interception on the very next play allowed Benedictine to seal the win when
Tyler Pospisil recorded a nine-yard touchdown run to make the score 31-17. Another pick sealed the in in the final minute.
Benedictine racked up 433 yards while limiting Aurora to just 278. Benedictine held the ball for over 40 minutes in the victory. Martin completed 27 passes for 315 yards with three touchdowns. Siebens caught seven passes for 132 yards with Weglarz also grabbing seven for 86 yards. Moore hauled in 10 passes for 81 yards. Pospisil surpassed 100 yards rushing with 108 on 22 carries.
Dawson Piper led a balanced defense with seven tackles. Benedictine forced five turnovers in the win.
Benedictine (9-0, 7-0 NACC) will host Concordia Wisconsin (9-0, 7-0 NACC) next week for the conference title and automatic bid to the NCAA Playoffs although both teams are positioned high enough in the NPI to possibly qualify for the postseason.
