Game Leaders
Team Stats
Passing Yards
Rushing Yards
Turnovers
Time of Poss.
LISLE, IL - Ryan Sample leapt over the pile from two yards out with just over a minute remaining to help the Benedictine University football team rally to a 35-28 victory over visiting Adrian College on Saturday afternoon.
Sample's touchdown capped a frantic nine-play 75-yard drive in just 1:30 moments after Adrian scored to lead for the first time at 28-27 with 2:35 left in the contest. Sample completed passes of 36 yards and 19 yards along with adding a 15-yard run to set up the winning score.
Benedictine did not trail until late in the game, opening a 7-0 lead on the first possession of the game by marching 75 yards on just three plays. Derrick Miles opened the game with a 15-yard run before back-to-back completions of 36 and 24 yards to Elijah Walker, the latter of which opened the scoring at the 14:21 mark. Jarrett Lecas intercepted an Adrian pass in the endzone and returned it for a touchdown midway through the first, but a penalty brought the ball back and Benedictine quickly went three-and-out. A 10-play drive from Adrian tied the game with 1:25 remaining in the first.
Sample found Walker for a 10-yard touchdown early in the second quarter to answer and cap another 75-yard drive, making the score 14-7 with 13:0 to play. Adrian converted on a fumble to tie the game at the 9:23 marker. Pinned inside the 10, Benedictine marched 94 yards on 13 plays in just over four minutes to lead at the half 21-14. Sample ran in from 10 yards away for the go-ahead score.
A turnover on the opening play of the second half enabled Benedictine to distance the advantage to 27-14. Sample hooked up with Jesse Kilbourn on a 20-yard pass to finish the one-play drive just 16 seconds into the third quarter.
A long 16-play drive spanning 79 yards allowed Adrian to lead for the first time on a two-yard touchdown run before the late heroics from Sample. Victor Johnson recorded an interception with less than 30 seconds remaining to seal the win.
Benedictine held the ball for only 21:18 but racked up 483 yards. Sample accounted for all five touchdowns with three passing and two rushing. The junior also tossed a two-point conversion after the final touchdown to account for the final points. Sample threw for 350 yards, his second consecutive 350+ yard showing, on 19-of-31 passing. Sample owns 998 yards, eight touchdowns and two interceptions in the first three games of the season. The Manteno, IL native also carried 10 times for 61 yards with a 48-yard highlight run. Walker caught seven passes for 159 yards with two scores while Kilbourn reeled in seven passes for 107 yards with a score.
Four players reached double-digit tackles led by Johnson, who totaled 16. Dane Eimer added 12 with a fumble recovery. Jordan Wallace notched 12 tackles with a forced fumble and a tackle for loss. Danny Drummond notched 10 stops.