Box Score
LISLE, Ill. - The Elmhurst College football team kicked off the 2009 season by defeating Benedictine University 24-14.
Elmhurst started the scoring midway through the first quarter. Brandon Jones gave the Bluejays great field position after he picked off Eagles' QB Dave Klinger deep in Benedictine territory. Six plays later, Phil Pedi found the end zone on an 11-yard quarterback keeper.
THe Bluejays made it 10-0 five minutes later as Tyler Lomnicki booted a 31-yard field goal.
Benedictine cut into the Elmhurst lead as Derek Hitt capped a 12-play, 51-yard scoring drive with a one-yard touchdown plunge.
On the ensuing possesion, Elmhurst answered back with an eight-play, 65-yard scoring drive capped by a 25-yard touchdown pass from Pedi to Blake Veldhuis.
On its opening possesion of the second half, the Bluejays strung together an impressive 60-yard drive that ate up over seven minutes of time. Scottie Williams finished the scoring drive by powering into the endzone on a four-yard touchdown run to give Elmhurst a 24-7 lead with just over six minutes left in the third qarter.
Elmhurst's defense came up big early in the fourth quarter. Benedictine drove down field to the Bluejays' two-yard line, but Elmhurst turned away Hitt on a fourth-and-one resulting in a turnover on downs.
The Eagles tacked on a touchdown in the game's final minute to make the final score 24-14.
Benedictine outgained Elmhurst 272-253, including a 149-127 advantage on the ground.
The Bluejays' ground game was led by three first-time starters. Pedi, Williams, and Jimmy Jenkins combined to rush 36 times for 133 yards. Pedi carried 10 times for 47 yards and a touchdown while Jenkins carried the ball 12 times for 45 yards. Williams rushed 14 times for 42 yards and a score.
Pedi was a proficient 13-of-19 through the air, totaling 109 yards and a touchdown while not throwing an interception.
Veldhuis was the Bluejays' top receiver, catching five passes for 66 yards and a touchdown.
Hitt led the Eagles on the ground, carrying 25 times for 130 yards and a score.
Klinger finished 10-of-20 for 123 yards through the air. He was picked off once, and also threw a 21-yard touchdown pass.
Kurt Nitschke led Elmhurst's defense with nine tackles (six solo) while Matt Streit recorded eight stops.
Elmhurst hosts Olivet College on Saturday, September 12. Kickoff is scheduled for 12:00 p.m.
