(7) Benedictine used a last-minute defensive stand to seal a comeback win over Baker University on O'Malley Field at Larry Wilcox Stadium.
The Wildcats took over the lead for the first time on a 4-yard rushing touchdown by Andrew Colvert with 8:44 remaining in the game before adding a 25-yard field goal after an interception to pull ahead 20-14. Garrett Kettle capped off a 10-play, 79-yard drive scoring on a 12-yard rushing touchdown with 2:14 remaining in the game to tie things up at 20-20.
Harry Balke converted the PAT to make it 21-20 Ravens. After a 40-yard pick-up on their first play from scrimmage after the kickoff, Dwayne Lacey and Tyler Wilson combined on a 2-yard tackle for a loss before the defense forced three straight incompletions by Baker quarterback Sam Heggemann to get the ball back with just under 90 seconds remaining in the game.
Two rushes by Kettle forced Baker to burn their final two timeouts before Kettle connected on a 43-yard pass to Jacob Gathright to seal the win and move the Ravens to 3-0 in the Heart South with two games remaining.
Benedictine built an early 14-0 lead over Baker with two first-quarter touchdowns. Rayshon Mills got the scoring started for the Ravens on a 2-yard rush early in the quarter before Kettle connected with Gathright late in the quarter for a 68-yard touchdown.
By halftime, the Ravens lead stood at 14-3 as the Wildcats added a 27-yard second-quarter field goal. The Wildcats added 17 straight in the second half before Benedictine scored for the final time.
Mills finished with 78 yards rushing while Kettle added 58 as Benedictine rushed for a total of 157 yards.
Baker entered the game with a total of 27 sacks on defense but were limited to just 1 sack later in the first half. Kettle finished with 206 yards on 12 of 24 but did throw 2 interceptions as the Wildcats finished with a total of three takeaways.
Gathright led the Raven receivers with 142 yards on 5 receptions.
Defensively, Gavin Spangler led the effort with 10 tackles. Bryan Barrera finished with 9, Wilson added 6 while Javhi Blomquist and Isaac Anderson added 5 each. Wilson, Anderson, Heath Baker, and Blue Caplinger combined for 3 sacks while the Ravens also added 9 tackles for a loss of 37 yards.
Benedictine remains at home on Nov. 5, hosting Evangel University at 1 p.m. on O'Malley Field at Larry Wilcox Stadium as they celebrate Senior Day prior to kickoff.
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