FAYETTE, Mo. – (RV) Raven Football finished the day with over 500 yards of total offense but turned the ball over three times on which Central Methodist University was able to capitalize as they knocked off the Benedictine, 30-24, in their Heart South opener. 

Benedictine (4-3, 0-1 Heart South) had one of their most balanced offensive games of the season as they finished with 288 yards passing and 225 yards rushing. Garrett Kettle finished with 288 yards passing off 29 of 42 while JaShawn Todd led the Ravens in rushing with 90 yards off 3 carries.

CMU jumped out to a 10-0 lead by the early minutes of the second quarter. Austin Buteaux caught a 17-yard pass from Kettle for the Ravens first touchdown of the game only to have the Eagles respond to pull back in front, 17-7. Todd scored on a 73-yard rush before Kettle found Reed Levi with 9 seconds remaining in the half to push Benedictine ahead at the half, 21-17.

The Eagles scored 13 unanswered points in the second half to pull back ahead of the Ravens before Benedictine closed out the game with a 19-yard field from Cullen Bruner. 

Kettle added 80 yards rushing while Rayshon Mills added 40 yards. Tre Adger led the Raven receivers with 91 yards off 9 receptions, Levi added 68 yards off 5 receptions, Buteaux finished with 66 yards off 4 receptions and Todd added 42 yards receiving off 6 receptions.

Defensively, Adam Wilburs recorded an interception to go with five tackles. Jalen James moved into second place on the Ravens all-time tackles list with a team-high 7 tackles.

Benedictine returns home on Saturday at 1 p.m. as they host Missouri Valley College on O'Malley Field at Larry Wilcox Stadium as part of Benedictine's annual Homecoming Weekend.