For Immediate Release

lisle, illinois

October 21, 2006

Eagle eye: EC left searching for W by Benedictine

Eureka College was denied its first win Saturday afternoon by the stout defense and persistent rushing attack of Benedictine University. The Eagles (3-5, 2-3 IBFC) took the Illini-Badger Football Conference match up by the count of 35-7 over the Red Devils (0-7, 0-5 IBFC).

The Eagles flew out to a 20-0 lead in the early stages of the second quarter by scoring touchdowns on three of their first four drives of the day. Each drive lasted six plays. Rico Grino found the end zone twice in the opening quarter from one and eight yards out. Nate Driessens was responsible for the third score from two yards out.

Eureka got on the scoreboard at the 9:08 mark of the second frame when Nick Lindsey (Homer, Ill./Heritage) completed a 39-yard touchdown strike to Samuel Hendricks (Danvers, Ill./U-High). For Hendricks, it was his first collegiate touchdown, while Lindsey now has thrown a TD pass in four consecutive games. Matt Knake (Freeburg, Ill./HS) booted the extra point to make the score 20-7.

The Red Devils had a chance to cut into the lead again late in the half. EC took over on its own 26 after stopping the Eagles one yard short on fourth down. Damon Mehlberg (Bloomington, Ill./HS) got the 11-play drive started with a 14-yard gallop and the possession was soon extended by a pass interference penalty on Benedictine. Eureka faced a fourth-and-three on the Eagles' 19, but had to give the ball up when a running play lost one yard. That was the beginning on a disturbing trend for the Red Devils as they were stopped three times on fourth down plays of four yards or less.

Benedictine quarterback Brody Budmayr scampered 21 yards for a touchdown on the first possession of the second half. Driessens ran in his second two-point conversion of the game to put BU in front 28-7. Later, the Eagles took over on their own 47 yard line after holding the Red Devils to no gain on fourth-and-one. They converted the good field position into seven more points as Frank Degrassi scored on a two yard rush with 1:35 left in the third stanza. Both squads were held off the scoreboard in the final quarter.

Eureka had the two longest offensive plays in the game — the touchdown pass to Hendricks for 39 yards and a 40 yard run by Mehlberg. Mehlberg finished with 86 yards on 12 carries (7.2 avg.). Lindsey completed eight of 16 passes for 93 yards. Luke Hermes (Heyworth, Ill./Central Catholic) led the EC defense with 11 tackles and a forced fumble. Cody Troutman (Bloomington, Ill./Normal Comm.) chipped in 10 tackles. Last year, Benedictine and Eureka combined for nine turnovers, but there were only three in this year's edition. EC had 2 and the Eagles had one.

Joe Borsellino led 12 Benedictine runners with 13 attempts for 104 yards and a touchdown. The Eagles rushed 60 times for 354 yards. BU had the ball for 19:36 compared to 10:24 for Eureka in the second half. EC was held to three second half first downs.

The Red Devils play their final road game of the season Saturday, October 28 at Aurora University. Game time is scheduled for 1:00 pm.

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For More Information Contact:

Brian Sullivan

Sports Information Director

Eureka College

300 E. College Avenue

Eureka, Illinois 61530

309-467-6456

bsullivan@eureka.edu