RIVER FOREST, IL - Ryan Sample set a school record and matched the conference mark by throwing for seven touchdowns as the Benedictine University football team rolled over Concordia University Chicago 61-32.
After forcing a three-and-out on the game's opening possession, Scottie Bobeck blocked a punt to hand Benedictine solid field position. Sample threw his first touchdown of the day, finding Brandon Moore for a 13-yard strike less than three minutes into the game. Concordia Chicago drove down to score and had a chance to tie the game but an extra point missed.
Sample used a pair of big pass plays to make the score 14-6, finding Alex Lopez for a 22-yard gain over the middle before Matt Fleming broke away for a 53-yard score at the 9:41 mark. Concordia Chicago kicked a 32-yard field goal following a 10-play drive to battle within 14-9. Grant Jochums capped a 9-play drive with a one-yard plunge which saw Grant Klaver run in for a two-point conversion to stretch the lead to 22-9 with just under two minutes left in the opening quarter. Fleming helped ignite the drive with a 40-yard kick return.
The hosts scored the next 14 points on back-to-back possessions to open a 23-22 lead halfway through the second. Benedictine's only second quarter touchdown came after an 11-play drive. Sample and Moore connected on a nine-yard score to give Benedictine a 28-23 lead with 3:29 to go in the half.
The third quarter proved to be the difference in the contest as Benedictine scored 33 points. Receiving the ball to start the third quarter, Sample completed four passes on a 6-play drive, the last two of which to Fleming, making the score 35-23 on a 16-yard pass. Concordia Chicago proceeded to kick another field goal with 10:07 remaining in the third to battle within 35-26.
Jochums broke away out of the backfield to snare a 31-yard touchdown from Sample in a quick drive, set up by a 29-yard punt return from Calvin Jordan as Benedictine led 41-26. After forcing a punt, Jochums picked up 16 yards on the ground and 33 on a pass play as Derrick Miles scooted in from 18 yards away to make the score 47-26 with 4:38 to go in the third.
Danny Drummond intercepted a pass and brought it back to the 8-yardline. Fleming hauled in another touchdown from Sample from three yards away to tie the single game school record just over a minute later. The final points of the day came following a bad snap on a punt. Sample set the record by finding Moore for the third time on a 13-yard play. Benedictine scored 20 points in under three minutes. The lone points in the fourth quarter came on a Concordia Chicago touchdown to account for the final.
Benedictine racked up 544 yards of offense as the teams combined for over 1,000 yards in the game. Sample threw for 360 yards to go with the record seven scores, completing 20 passes without an interception. The third-year starter has gone 59 completions and 111 attempts without a pick. Seven different players caught passes led by seven from Moore for 74 yards and three scores. Fleming reeled in six passes for 109 yards and three touchdowns. Jochums totaled 81 yards receiving and added 92 rushing on 12 carries. Benedictine totaled 177 yards rushing in the game with nine players carrying the ball.
Austin Nirva led the defense with 10 tackles including two for loss. Nirva and Brad Nolan notched the lone sacks of the contest. Juwaun Hampton finished with nine tackles and a forced fumble.
Benedictine (5-3, 3-1 NACC) plays the final two games of the season at home, welcoming Wisconsin Lutheran College next Saturday afternoon.
Sample Sets School Record as Benedictine Blitzes Concordia Chicago
/seasons/2017/boxscores/20171028_n6de.xml
2017
Benedictine
61
Concordia-Chicago
32
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Benedictine (5-3) | 22 | 6 | 33 | 0 | 61 |
| Concordia-Chicago (3-4) | 9 | 14 | 3 | 6 | 32 |
Oct 28, 2017