RIVER FOREST, IL – The Benedictine University football team finally had the opportunity to take to the field, scoring a 28-0 shutout of Concordia Chicago on the road to open the spring schedule.

Benedictine opened the scoring early in the first quarter on a nine-yard touchdown pass from Tyler Jarnagin to Alex Lopez at the 11:10 mark, capping a 70-yard drive to open the game.

Benedictine tacked on a pair of touchdowns in the second quarter to open a 21-0 edge. Newcomer Darries Rainey finished an 81-yard drive by plunging into the endzone from one yard out with 13:35 to play in the half. Jarnagin and Lopez connected again with Lopez breaking away for a 73-yard score to push the lead to 21-0 with five minutes remaining in the second quarter.

The final score of the game came on a three-yard pass from Jarnagin to Josh Ruiz to finish a time consuming 15-play drive that chewed up nearly eight minutes.

Jarnagin finished the opener 26-of-36 for 308 yards with three touchdowns. Most of Benedictine’s offense came through the air. The team rushed the ball 23 times for a net of only 30 yards. Jarnagin logged 10 carries. Rainey carried seven times. Newcomer Deandre Holliday caught a team high six passes for 55 yards. Lopez reeled in five passes for 123 yards with two touchdowns. Ruiz caught five for 67 with a score. Six different receivers caught a pass with all six grabbing at least three.

Jordan Wilkins led the defense with 10 tackles while Chris Williams added nine.

Benedictine (1-0, 1-0 NACC) plays at home for the first time next Saturday against Eureka. The team will play three scheduled conference games before two more to be determined in a tournament kind of format.

By Tim Calderwood, Benedictine Athletic Staff