LISLE, Ill. (Sept. 10, 2022) – Playing under the lights for their final non-conference matchup of the 2022 season, the Loras College football team (0-2) fell 48-26 to the Benedictine University Eagles (2-0) on Saturday as a second-half surge of defensive stops came up short in Lisle, Ill.

The Eagles wasted no time getting on the board with back-to-back touchdowns to take an early lead, 13-0 with 6:34 left in the opening quarter, taking command of the possession game. The Duhawks looked to get something going on offense with an Evan England and Da'Mani Brown 29-yard connection on Loras' second drive of the game, but the Eagles' defense took over on downs and held control heading into the second quarter. Benedictine added another touchdown and the extra point just under four minutes into the second quarter to take a 20-0 lead, but the Duhawks rallied back with back-to back first downs on completions from England to Marty McGovern, setting up England to find Brown open for a 20-yard touchdown and get on the board with under eight minutes to play in the half. The Eagles made it a 27-6 game on the next drive and added another touchdown with under a minute left in the half to take a 34-6 lead and recovered a fumble at their own 34-yard line to stall the Duhawks heading into the locker room.

Just as the team did in Week 1, the Duhawks came out of the break looking to make a comeback and added a touchdown on their opening drive. The Duhawks charged down field with two great plays by England to McGovern and Jaheem Haynes to put the Duhawks at the Eagles' 26-yard line. England showed out again with a 26-yard pass to Johnnie Cason II for the touchdown with 13:19 left in the quarter. Both teams battled back and forth through the heart of the quarter but the Duhawks found another burst and capitalized on great field position with five minutes left in the quarter a England found Jamel Britt open for a two-yard flick for the touchdown and cut into the Eagles' lead, 34-19. The Duhawks' defense kept the Eagles from scoring as the third quarter came to a close and started the fourth quarter with another defensive stop, this time a blocked field goal by Joey Foley. Mike Barber III was there to recover it and took it to the house for an 85-yard return and the touchdown. Scott Talmadge drilled the extra point to make it an eight-point game to start the final 15 minutes.

Benedictine rallied back on their next drive to add another touchdown off a 30-yard pass from 2021 Gagliardi finalist Tyler Jarnagin to Dean Holliday to extend the lead 41-26 and added one more in the final eight minutes off an interception that set up a 43-yard pass to Sami Ayash for his third of the game. The Duhawks battled through a diligent 14-play drive that gave Benedictine the ball on their own four-yard line with under four minutes to play but the Eagles held on for the win as time ran out.

England went 36-58-1 on the evening with three touchdowns and showed his versatility as a quarterback with a team-high 24 rushing yards. Brown posted 141 receiving yards to lead the Duhawks' receiving group and Hareson Willis accumulated 158 kick return yards on eight runs. Talmadge averaged 60-yards on kickoffs for the Duhawks while Mason Morris and Brett Bower led the team with ten tackles apiece, including four for loss for Morris.

Both teams played fairly close in most statistical categories but Benedictine had the edge in time of possession with 33:45 to Loras' 26:15 and added 502 passing yards in an impressive display by Jangrin.

The Duhawks begin American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) action on Saturday, Sept. 17, heading to Pella, Iowa to take on the defending conference champions and No. 13-ranked Central College. Kickoff is set for 1 P.M.