Benedictine Blanks Rockford
LISLE, Ill. - The Benedictine University football team recorded its first victory in Northern Athletics Conference play by shutting out Rockford 28-0 on a rainy Saturday.
Neither team was able to score until the final five minutes of the first half as the squads battled through the elements. Opening with solid field position, Benedictine marched 44 yards for the game's first score. John Borsellino, who carried 33 times in the win, raced 24 yards for the first points with 4:43 to play in the half. The extra point was no good following a high snap.
The Eagles took over following a quick three and out and struck quickly for another score. Facing fourth and five from the Rockford 40, Cyle Schultz hooked up with Artie Monaco on a 40-yard touchdown pass. Ryan Keener raced in on a fake extra point to extend the lead to 14-0.
John Alessi dove over the top of the pile for a one-yard touchdown plunge midway through the third to extend the lead to 21-0. The final score came just moments later when L.J. Stolarski collected a tipped pass for an interception and trudged into the endzone from 18 yards out.
Borsellino accumulated 160 yards on the ground with a touchdown to lead the offense. Benedictine rolled up 190 yards on the ground and 309 yards total while limiting Rockford to just 165 total yards. Alessi caught five passes for 42 yards while Monaco added three grabs for 57 yards.
Defensively, Ryan Stec paced Benedictine with 11 tackles. Stolarski picked off a pair of passes as Benedictine forced four turnovers and finished +3. Stolarski also added five tackles, broke up a pass, and recovered a fumble.
The win halted a three game conference slide for the Eagles dating back to last season. Benedictine (3-3, 1-2) hits the road next week for a 1:00 p.m. game at Wisconsin Lutheran on October 20. The Eagles will try and avenge its lone conference defeat from last season.
