BLUEJAY FOOTBALL TEAM POUNDS BENEDICTINE 44-13 IN SEASON OPENER

Boxscore      

  ELMHURST, Ill., The Elmhurst College football team hammered Benedictine University 44-13 in front of a crowd of 850 fans in Lisle.

"This is exactly how we wanted to begin the season," said Head Coach Paul Krohn. We knew we were capable of putting a lot of points on the scoreboard, and it certainly showed today."

It took the Bluejays half of the first quarter, before the offense started firing. After both teams went three-and-out on their first two offensive possessions, Benedictine jumped on the scoreboard first, stringing together a four-play, 64-yard drive capped off by a Jason McLaughlin 12-yard touchdown run. The extra point missed, and Elmhurst found themselves trailing 6-0.

The Bluejays responded immediately, however, as the Bluejays answered with a 10-play, 69-yard drive capped by a 20-yard touchdown pass from Dom Demma (Carol Stream-Glenbard North) to Eric Luna (Wadsworth-Carmel). Dave Molinaro's (Villa Park-Willowbrook) extra point gave the Bluejays a 7-6 lead, and Elmhurst never looked back.

After the Elmhurst defense held Benedictine to a three-and-out, Elmhurst marched downfield 81 yards in 12 plays in 2:46. Chris Dembosz (Elmhurst-Immaculate Conception), a linebacker who came in during a goal-line situation, hauled in a four-yard screen pass from Demma to put the Bluejays up 14-6.

The score remained 14-6 until Elmhurst capitalized on the second Benedictine turnover of the game. Webster Nelson (Oak Park-Oak Park River Forest) stepped in front of a Ryan Keag pass to come away with an interception. Demma marched the Bluejays downfield and connected with Jake Allen (Carol Stream-Glenbard North) for a four-yard touchdown pass to make the score 21-6.

The Elmhurst defense pinned Benedictine deep in their own territory, forcing the Eagles to punt, giving the Bluejays the Ball at the Benedictine 23 yard line. Elmhurst couldn't put the ball in the endzone, but settled for a Molinaro 38-yard field goal, giving the Bluejays a commanding 24-6 lead with just 43 seconds to play in the half.

Benedictine tried to get something started before halftime, but it led to another Bluejay score. On the first play from scrimmage, Keag's pass was picked off by Matt Irps (Bourbonnais-Bradley Bourbonnais), who rumbled 41 yards down the sideline for another touchdown.

The Bluejays led 31-6 at halftime.

The Bluejays tacked on another touchdown on their first possession of the second half. With Luna carrying the ball on the ground and Demma moving the Bluejays through the air, Elmhurst marched 57 yards in six plays capped off by a 10-yard touchdown strike from Demma to Justin Teliga (Bradenton, Fla.-Manatee). Molinaro's extra point was blocked and Elmhurst led 37-6.

After a three-and-out by the Eagles, the Bluejays had first-and-ten at their own nine-yard line. Elmhurst strung together their most impressive drive of the game, moving 91 yards in 16 plays, with Luna rushing for 40 yards in the drive, including a one-yard touchdown plunge to cap the Bluejays' scoring.

A halfback option pass on the first play of the next drive gave Benedictine their next and final score of the game as Joseph Sergo hit Sebastion Singleton for a 70-yard score.

The Bluejays offense was a balanced attack led by Demma and Luna. Luna rushed for 147 yards on 27 carries including a touchdown. He also caught four balls for 32 yards and a score. Demma posted impressive numbers in his season debut as well. The quarterback completed 28-of-39 attempts for 282 yards and four touchdowns. Teliga proved to be Demma's favorite target, catching eight passes for 93 yards and a touchdown.

As a team, the Bluejays generated 23 first downs and 484 yards of total offense on 85 plays and dominated in time of possession, holding the ball for almost 40 minutes of the 60 minute contest. Benedictine was held to just 262 yards of offense on 42 plays.

Jared Hagar (Bolingbrook-Romeoville) sparked the Bluejay defense, leading the team with six tackles, including two tackles for a loss and a quarterback sack. Donnie Snider (Brooksville, Fla.-Hernando) finished with five tackles with three tackles for loss and a sack. Taj English (Opa-Lock, Fla.-Hialeah) added an interception in the win.

"We played a very good game today," said Krohn. "We led a balanced attack on offense, and we kept the Benedictine offense off the field for a long time. We still have areas we want to improve on before our next game, but this is the start of the season we were hoping for."

The Bluejays are off next weekend, but will return to action on September 20, when the play at the University of Chicago.