Game Leaders
Team Stats
Passing Yards
Rushing Yards
Turnovers
Time of Poss.
LISLE, Ill. - The Benedictine University football team amassed over 600 yards to roll past Rockford 56-20 and win a fourth straight game.
The complete effort began early. Following a three-and-out, the offense took over at the 21-yard line and proceeded to use 12 plays to march 79 yards and open the scoring. The Eagles converted on six first downs on the drive, which ticked off 5:50 from the clock. Ryan Keener dove in from a yard out for the opening touchdown with 7:46 to play in the first. After the defense stalled Rockford again, the offense went to work from the 24, using nine plays to open a 13-0 lead. Keener found Jake Valas for a 26-yard score. Valas was one of four receivers to catch a pass on the drive.
Just one play made it 19-0 midway through the second. Keener and Greg German hooked up on a 48-yard pass play with 6:38 to go in the first half. Following a Rockford score, Benedictine continued the offensive onslaught when Keener and German connected for a second score, a 25-yard play moments after a big Greg Simms 28-yard catch and run. The first half concluded with the Eagles in front 32-7 after German snared his third score of the game, reeling in a 28-yard pass.
Big plays finished off the day with Anthony Mitchell scoring twice in the second half. Mitchell broke away for a 58-yard run with 7:14 to play in the third, and added a 34-yard reception from Luke Ludolph earlier in the fourth. Drew Keil connected on a 39-yard field goal while Jesse Kilbourn caught a 25-yard touchdown pass for the final score of the game.
The defense limited Rockford to just 187 total yards in the game with five first downs. Mason Bittner and Micayel McKechnie logged six tackles each. Benedictine posted three sacks in the game with 1.5 coming from Niko Paaloalo. Stefan Herron recorded the only turnover, notching an interception.
Offensively, the Eagles ran for 179 yards and added 460 through the air. Mitchell led the way on the ground with 94 yards. Keener completed 24-of-28 passes for 360 yards and four touchdowns. Ludolph reached 100 yards passing by completing six passes with a pair of touchdowns. German and Omar Lopez caught six passes each as 10 individuals caught a pass. German finished with 154 yards and three touchdowns.
Benedictine (5-4, 4-1) hosts Lakeland College in the regular season finale next Saturday at 1:00 p.m. With a win, Benedictine would share the NACC Title and could qualify for the NCAA Playoffs depending on the Wisconsin Lutheran-Concordia Wisconsin contest.