Box Score MNU dropped a 45-40 contest at Benedictine on Saturday. For the second time in as many weeks, the Pioneers found themselves down 28 points in the first half before roaring back to get into the game. It was the first Benedictine victory over MNU since 2006.
The Ravens scored on a 9-play 68-yard touchdown drive to open the game, and MNU answered with a
Michael Brewer 49-yard field goal to get within 4. But thanks to 3 quick MNU turnovers, Benedictine scored 24 unanswered points to take a 31-3 lead early in the 2nd quarter. The Pioneers stopped the bleeding with a 9-play 75-yard touchdown drive, but Benedictine scored again to take a 38-10 lead. MNU scored just before the half on a fake field goal touchdown from
Patrick Corrigan to
JD Wood to cut into the deficit, but the Pioneers still trailed 38-16 at intermission.
The second half started like the first with a Raven touchdown, but after that score it was all MNU.
Greg Gates scored a touchdown midway through the third quarter,
Michael Lindsey found the end zone on a reverse, and
Michael Brewer nailed a 53-yard field goal to make the score 45-33. The defense continued to make stops and the Pioneers marched 98 yards on 11 plays for a Hedlund-to-Lindsey touchdown to get within 5 with 4 minutes left. Benedictine was able to get a couple first downs to kill the clock, however, and the MNU comeback came up short. The Pioneers ran 87 plays for 585 yards, but 4 turnovers keyed their demise.
Greg Gates had 173 yards on 27 carries to pass the 3,000 yard plateau and pass John Booth for 3rd in MNU history.
Trent Hedlund was 23-42 for 270 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Michael Lindsey had 9 catches for 78 yards and a touchdown.
LaDon Hudson caught 6 balls for 99 yards and a touchdown.
Michael Brewer connected from 49 and 53 yards. And
Joe Camacho and
DeRahn Williams had 9 tackles apiece.
MNU is 1-5 (1-4 HAAC). The next game is Saturday at Avila (3-4, 1-4) at 1:00.
