For Immediate Release

eureka, illinois

Benedictine leaves Devils seeing Red

October 20, 2007

EUREKA, Ill. — Third downs were far from charming for the Eureka College Red Devils Saturday afternoon. A key holding penalty that erased a touchdown and a blocked punt did not help to ease the pain of their 0-for-12 third down conversion rate, either. As a result, the Benedictine University Eagles flew away with a 21-6 win at FioRito Stadium at McKinzie Field, led by a defense that allowed only five first downs.

Ryan Schwartz, who rushed 33 times for 198 yards on the day, carried on seven consecutive plays for a total of 58 yards to give Benedictine (4-4, 3-2 IBFC) a 7-0 lead in the opening quarter of play.

The Red Devils (1-6, 1-4 IBFC) appeared to find a quick answer when sophomore quarterback Nick Lindsey (Homer, Ill./Heritage) raced around the right side 52 yards only to have the play called back due to a holding call. Undaunted, Lindsey lofted a 22-yard pass on fourth-and-eight to Zach McDade (Savoy, Ill./Arcola) later to extend the drive into the second quarter. Lindsey capped off the surge by slithering through the line on a one-yard touchdown run. The extra point was blocked, keeping the Eagles ahead 7-6.

After those back-to-back scoring drives, the fight settled back into a defensive slug-fest and game of field position strategy until a revolting series of events left the home crowd stewing into the halftime break.

A career-long punt of 71 yards by Kyle Edgar (Arcola, Ill./HS) and good defensive stand resulted in the Red Devils taking over in good field position, just on their side of the midfield stripe with 1:38 remaining before intermission. But, EC was forced to punt after a sack and two incomplete passes. The punt was then blocked by Bob McLearen and recovered by Benedictine at the Eureka 24.

It would be wrong to point to that play only as the turning point of the game. It did not kill the Red Devils' chances as EC held Benedictine to three yards on the next three plays setting up a fourth down with just 11 seconds to play. On fourth-and-seven, Andrew Ramus found Brandin Austin with just enough room on the sidelines for 17 yards down to the Red Devils' four. With just six second to play, the Eagles decided to try another offensive play and Schwartz took the ball in from four yards out, putting Benedictine on top 14-6 at halftime.

The rugged Eagles defense gave Eureka little chance to get closer in the second half, but a wild snap on a punt served as the Red Devils' ticket back into the game. The Benedictine punter could only fall on the ball resulting in a 32 yard loss. Eureka took over on the Eagles' 19, but went could not get any closer than the 15. Matt Knake (Freeburg, Ill./HS) came on for his first field goal attempt of the season, which sailed wide right from 36 yards away. Eureka managed just one first down the rest of the contest.

Meanwhile, the EC defense refused to fold, not allowing Benedictine to break out to a comfortable lead. Eureka held the Eagles from scoring in the red zone on three occasions, including twice from inside the Eureka three. Four Red Devils recorded at least 11 tackles led by the 15 of Michael Moseley (Lubbock, Texas/Monterey). He also registered 4.5 tackles for loss. Knake had 13 followed by Tim Dombrowski (Lansing, Ill./T.F. South) and Rosney Beverly (Bloomington, Ill./Normal West), who each had 11.

Schwartz carried seven times on a nine play, 56 yard touchdown drive that essentially iced the game for Benedictine, even with the balmy temperatures. Eric Ritter eventually punched it in from the one on third down as the Eagles took a 21-6 advantage in the fourth quarter. Benedictine held a 21:46 to 8:14 edge in time of possession in the second half over the Red Devils, who came into the game leading the conference in that department.

A couple other mainstays of the Eureka attack were held in check as well. Eureka came into play Saturday leading the league with a plus-four turnover ratio, but finished the day at minus-one. Also, Lindsey passed for 74 yards on five completions and gained 13 yards rushing on 10 attempts.

Justin Dempsey (Fairbury, Ill./Chenoa) and McDade led Eureka with 27 yards rushing and receiving respectively. Edgar downed three of his seven punts inside the 20, including his 71-yard bomb.

Ramus completed eight passes for 66 yards. Austin hauled in five aerials for 52 yards. Benedictine ran 81 plays to Eureka's 49.

Homecoming and Senior Day festivities are planned for next Saturday's home finale at Eureka between the Red Devils and the Spartans of Aurora University. The kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 pm.

###

For More Information Contact:

Brian Sullivan
Sports Information Director
Eureka College
300 E. College Avenue
Eureka, Illinois 61530
309-467-6456
bsullivan@eureka.edu