DES MOINES – In their second Heart Football Game of the Week on Saturday, the No. 8 Ravens traveled to No. 5 Grand View University. This year's meeting marked the fourth-ever between the two programs, and Benedictine kept the series streak alive winning for the second time on the road, 25-13.
Over the previous three meetings, the road team earned the win and that held true as Benedictine (9-1, 4-0 Heart North) used an 85-yard fumble return for a touchdown to take their lead of the game over Grand View (7-2, 3-1 Heart North).
After matching touchdowns in the first quarter, the two teams combined for four combined field goals over the second and third quarters before Benedictine scored 12 unanswered in the fourth to earn the win.
Marquis Stewart scored the Ravens first touchdown of the game in the first quarter on a 16-yard rush that allowed Benedictine to tie the game at 7-7. Jacob Young connected on field goals of 22 an 37 yards in the second and third quarters, both times pulling the Ravens back even with the Vikings.
With 4:12 left to the play in the game the score was tied at 13-13 with Grand View inside the Benedictine 20. Grand View's Ben Ferken fumbled the ball which was picked up by Brett Shepardson and returned for the go-ahead touchdown. The Ravens tacked on their final score on a carry from Aaron Jackson inside the final two minutes of the game to seal the win.
Offensively, the Ravens finished with 333 yards on offense. Stewart finished the game with 71 of the Ravens 128 yards on the ground while Shaefer Schuetz went 11 of 20 through the air with 205 yards. Jackson finished with 113 yards off four catches with a long reception that set up his game-sealing scoring late in the game.
Tyler Shephard led the Ravens with eight tackles with one of Benedictine's four tackles for a loss. Ty'ron Jones;, Shepardson and Jalen James accounted for the remaining three, which for James also accounted for the Ravens lone sack.
While the Vikings were able to match the Ravens offensive efforts finishing with 332 yards, their 13 points where the fewest points scored since their season-opening loss to Evangel University.
The Ravens return home on Saturday to host Peru State College for Senior Day. Kick off is scheduled for 1 p.m. on O'Malley Field with this year's Seniors honored before the game.
