The Benedictine University football team scored with 21 seconds left to notch a 28-25 victory over Loras College in the home opener on Saturday night.
Benedictine jumped out to an early lead in the contest. Dino Stephens finished a lengthy drive midway through the first with an 18-yard run to put Benedictine ahead 7-0.
Jeff Leighliter picked off a pass on the Benedictine side of the field to stop a Loras drive following a long kick return. Benedictine needed just one play to take advantage as
Santino Florio reeled in a 63-yard touchdown to make the score 14-0 with 4:09 left in the opening quarter.
Following a quiet start to the second quarter Loras was able to score a touchdown with just 2:33 in front of halftime, the first of 16 unanswered points. Loras scored on the first possession of the second half to tie the game and took a 16-14 lead on a safety at the 12:29 mark of the third quarter. Stephens took over on a long drive, again breaking free for an 18-yard touchdown to put Benedictine ahead 21-16 with 6:16 left in the third.Â
Benedictine went into the fourth with the lead but a field goal enabled Loras to draw within 21-19 with 9:46 remaining. The Loras defense held and the visitors were able to take the lead on a 42-yard run with 2:57 left. Benedictine took the ball at the 26-yardline and went to work, immediately moving 44 yards when
Marcus Martin connected with
Tristan Weglarz. Another big pass play set up Benedictine in a goal-to-go situation inside the two minute timeout. Penalties put Benedictine at the doorstep and Martin hit Jason Moore for the go-ahead touchdown with just 21 seconds to go.
Benedictine picked up 26 first downs and finished with 429 yards, 288 of which came through the air. Benedictine held the ball for 37:38. Martin completed 23 passes and threw a pair of touchdowns. Weglarz caught eight passes for 102 yards while Florio finished with 123 yards receiving. Stephens ran the ball 22 times for 113 yards and two scores. Ryan Hatter led the defense with 10 stops.
Jake Diamantos and
John Thompson posted eight apiece. Â
Benedictine (2-0) is off until opening the conference slate with the homecoming game against Eureka on September 26 at 6pm.
