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LISLE, Ill. - The Benedictine University football team rallied from a 17-0 hole to win a sixth consecutive game, besting Aurora University 32-24.
"Aurora came at us with everything they had," head coach Jon Cooper said. "There was no quit in them and they gave us their best shot, but we stepped up and were able to come back and win."
Aurora built an early 17-0 advantage, scoring on a big-play in the opening minute and adding a long field goal following a turnover. The Spartans extended the margin with another big play after Benedictine stalled in Aurora territory.
Matt Fleming reeled in a 50-yard pass as part of a seven-play drive that spanned 94 yards to result in the first Benedictine score. Joshua Williams notched a five-yard score at the 11:45 mark of the second quarter to pull Benedictine within 17-6. The defense held, and another long drive brought Benedictine within 17-12. Derek Miles finished a nine-play 91-yard drive with a one-yard run with just over five minutes left in the half.
Benedictine took the lead for the first time following a 70-yard drive late in the third. Fleming snared a three-yard pass from Ryan Sample to make the score 18-17 with 6:43 remaining in the quarter. Taking advantage of a short field following an interception, Aurora made the score 24-18 in the closing moments of the third.
Miles broke free for a 41-yard touchdown on the opening play of the fourth quarter to put Benedictine in front for the final time, making the score 25-24 with 14:52 left. The defense held and Sample hit Elijah Walker for a 21-yard score late to finish off the win.
Benedictine tallied nearly 500 yards of offense in the win. Sample threw for 292 yards and overcame three interceptions. Walked caught five passes for 125 yards. Miles led a balanced ground attack with 83 yards rushing with Sample adding 82. Danny Drummond and Victor Johnson each posted 10 tackles to lead the defense. Drummond collected 1.5 sacks while Johnson forced a fumble.
"Our kids were very resilient," Cooper added. "We never lost our poise and found some things we could do to help overcome some mistakes to grab the big victory."
Benedictine (7-2, 5-0 NACC) travels to Lakeland next Saturday to determine the conference champion and representative in the NCAA Playoffs.