WAUWATOSA, Wis. (WLCSports.com) – Wisconsin Lutheran College was unable to hold off undefeated Benedictine on Saturday, dropping a 27-13 Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference decision at Raabe Stadium on Homecoming.

Prior to kickoff, Wisconsin Lutheran officially dedicated Dennis Miller Field during a pregame ceremony honoring the program's founding and former head coach.

WLC (3-3, 1-3 NACC) opened the contest with momentum, orchestrating an 11-play, 75-yard opening drive that chewed up 6:00 off the clock. Junior Carson Koehler (Saginaw, Mich.) capped the march with a 1-yard touchdown run, and sophomore Devin Loehr (San Antonio, Texas) added the extra point to give the Warriors a 7-0 advantage with 9:00 remaining in the first quarter.

The Eagles (5-0, 3-0 NACC) answered early in the second quarter. Capping a seven-play, 48-yard drive, running back Dino Stephens scampered in for a 13-yard rushing score. Carter Velez converted the point-after try to knot the game at 7-7 with 14:18 left before halftime.

BenU took its first lead midway through the third quarter after receiving favorable field position. Marcus Martin connected with Tristan Weglarz on a 24-yard touchdown pass to complete a seven-play, 48-yard series, putting Benedictine in front 14-7 at the 11:18 mark.

The Eagles extended their lead early in the fourth quarter on a trick play. Stephens took a direct handoff and lofted a 1-yard touchdown pass to Jason Moore, finishing a 10-play, 80-yard drive. Freshman Julian Riaboukha (Wellington, Fla.) blocked the ensuing extra-point attempt to keep the score at 20-7 with 14:27 left in regulation.

Wisconsin Lutheran responded promptly on its next possession with an eight-play, 59-yard scoring march. Sophomore Roman Morales (Fort Worth, Texas) found senior Jamil Gordon (San Marcos, Texas) for a 21-yard touchdown pass with 10:14 remaining. A failed PAT kept the margin at one score, 20-13.

BenU sealed the victory with under two minutes remaining when linebacker Dawson Piper intercepted a Morales pass and returned it 10 yards for a touchdown. Velez added the extra point with 1:56 left to provide the final 27-13 margin.

WLC gained 206 yards of total offense (71 rushing, 135 passing). Morales led the passing attack, completing 13 of 28 attempts for 135 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. Koehler paced the ground game with 75 rushing yards and a touchdown on 21 carries, while also catching four passes for 37 yards. Freshman Elian Ojeda (Laredo, Texas) served as the top target through the air, hauling in seven receptions for 74 yards. Defensively, junior Sam Ehlke (Cedarburg, Wis.) and sophomore Landon Bryant (Onalaska, Wis.) tied for the team lead with nine total tackles apiece (Ehlke registered eight solo stops and Bryant tallied five).

Benedictine accumulated 307 yards of total offense (184 rushing, 123 passing). Martin paced the passing game by going 14-for-22 for 122 yards and one score. Stephens led all rushers with 159 yards and a touchdown on 33 carries while also tossing a touchdown pass. Izeyah Pruitt led the Eagles with six catches for 49 yards. Jake Diamantos anchored BenU's defense with a team-high nine tackles, including seven solo and one sack.

The Warriors return to action on Saturday, October 17, traveling to Montgomery, Illinois, to take on Aurora (2-3, 2-1 NACC). Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.