MEQUON, WI - Ryan Sample re-wrote the Benedictine University football team record book to help the team tally a fourth straight win and overcome five turnovers in a 51-49 shootout at Concordia University Wisconsin that featured over 1,200 combined yards and five fourth quarter lead changes.
Sample established new single game records for passing yards, touchdowns, and total offense as Benedictine rolled up 611 yards. The game appeared to be a rout early, but each team scored a touchdown in the final two minutes for a frantic finish as Benedictine came away with the win.
Following a touchdown from Concordia Wisconsin with 1:41 to play, taking a 49-45 lead, Benedictine marched 75 yards on six plays to score the winning touchdown with just 34 seconds to play. Ryan Sample set the school record with his sixth touchdown pass of the day, connecting on a 10-yard score with Javon McBride for the game-winner. The drive marked the second game-winning effort directed by Sample in the final two minutes of a game after Benedictine scored late to defeat Adrian two weeks ago. The six touchdown passes equal the single game conference mark.
The contest started as a one-sided affair with Benedictine holding leads of 16-0, 24-7, and 31-14. Benedictine turned the ball over with a fumble on the opening kickoff but denied Concordia Wisconsin and took over on downs. Ten plays later Sample threw his first touchdown of the day, locating Elijah Walker on an 11-yard score to open a 6-0 lead at the 10:02 mark of the first quarter.
Connor Whitman intercepted the first play from the hosts to set up a 28-yard field goal from Kyle Bennett, extending the lead to 9-0 with 8:42 left in the first. Following a three-and-out, Benedictine opened on the plus side of the field. Sample found Walker three times on a seven-play drive, the last of which was a five-yard touchdown, making the lead 16-0 with under five minutes remaining in the first.
Concordia Wisconsin moved 80 yards in just 1:31 to score for the first time late in the opening quarter. Benedictine answered with a 10-play drive, going in front 24-7. Sample's third touchdown of the day came again in the hands of Walker from 21 yards away on the first play of the second quarter. Quick strikes each way held the lead at 17 points. Concordia Wisconsin scored on a 59-yard pass before Sample and Luke Ludolph connected on a 68-yard touchdown with 13:15 to play in the first half.
The hosts scored following back-to-back punts, battling within 31-28 just over three minutes before halftime. An interception with 1:32 left in the half setup Concordia Wisconsin for a go-ahead score just before the half, rallying to a 35-31 lead at the break.
A quiet third quarter saw neither team score, but Benedictine opened a nine-play drive to assume the lead. Derrick Miles plunged in from five yards out with 14:05 left in the game, enabling Benedictine to begin a frantic quarter with a 38-35 lead. The ensuing drive saw Concordia Wisconsin march 83 yards to take a 42-38 lead at the 10:30 mark of the fourth.
Starting 90 yards away, Benedictine opened a 45-42 edge after a nine-play drive, capped on a 39-yard pass from Sample to McBride with just 5:23 remaining. Concordia Wisconsin embarked on a nine-play drive to strike with 1:41 to play before the final heroics from Benedictine. Facing a fourth-and-10 following three straight incompletions, Sample hooked up with Walker on a 47-yard connection to keep the drive alive. Brandon Moore reeled in an 18-yard pass before the winning strike to McBride. Victor Johnson intercepted a last ditch pass to ensure the victory, a fourth straight.
Sample threw for 449 yards, besting the record mark of 387, set by Michael Robinson in 2002. The six touchdowns eclipsed the mark of five, set twice, most recently by Ryan Keag in 2003. Sample amassed 453 yard of total offense, breaking the mark of 405 set by Joe Wilke in 1979. The junior completed 31 passes to seven different targets and overcame four interceptions, more than his season total of three entering the game. Sample is the conference leader in touchdown passes and has thrown for nearly 2,000 yards already this season. Sample has thrown for over 300 yards in four consecutive games.
Walker notched a career best 12 receptions for a career high 185 yards and three touchdowns. Walker has caught three touchdowns in each of the past two games to match the single game conference record and owns four consecutive games of over 110 yards. The senior leads the conference in yards and is tied for the lead with 10 touchdowns while sitting second in catches. Miles added 86 yards rushing on only 14 carries as Benedictine accumulated 162 yards on the ground and finished a perfect 5-of-5 on fourth down.
The defense overcame allowing 608 yards. Danny Drummond led the team with 12 tackles including two for loss. Jarrett Lecas notched 10 tackles with a pair of pass breakups.
The stage is set for a matchup of the top two teams in the conference on homecoming next Saturday afternoon. Lakeland University (3-2, 1-0 NACC) visits Benedictine (4-1, 2-0 NACC) as the top two teams in the NACC preseason poll tangle at 1:00 p.m.
Benedictine's Sample Sets Records in Fourth Straight Win
/seasons/2016/boxscores/20161008_fcyo.xml
2016
Benedictine
51
Concordia (Wis.)
49
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Benedictine (4-1) | 16 | 15 | 0 | 20 | 51 |
| Concordia (Wis.) (2-3) | 7 | 28 | 0 | 14 | 49 |
Oct 08, 2016