Defense keeps Benet in game, offense stalls

Font Size

Email

Bookmark

Black Text

White Text

On Friday night at Benedictine University, the fans experienced a real life version of the famous cartoon featuring the roadrunner and the coyote.

Nazareth's LaSteven McKinney played like the roadrunner throughout the game, leading the visiting Roadrunners to a 24-7 victory over the Benet Redwings (1-4) on homecoming weekend.

McKinney was the workhorse for Nazareth (4-1) as he gained 172 yards on the ground in 34 carries. He also led the Roadrunners in receiving, catching four balls for 43 yards and one touchdown.

"(McKinney) played real well, and he knows everybody will be eying him up and put eight or nine players in the box," said Tim Racki, Nazareth head coach. "When he gets the ball, he just puts down his shoulder and runs hard. He's a real team guy."

The Roadrunners struck first in the game, finally breaking up the battle for field position that featured many mistakes and stalled drives in the first quarter.

Nazareth used McKinney as the feature back on a seven play, 56-yard drive that took just over three minutes to complete. McKinney ran for 26 yards during the drive and after a block in the back penalty, quarterback Adam Marske hooked up with a sprinting McKinney over the middle of the field. McKinney made a move past one defender and scampered into the end zone.

"It was a screen pass and I was looking to go outside, but then I saw an opening in the middle so I cut back and saw two defenders which I split to get into the end zone," McKinney said.

Marske completed 13 of 32 passes for 130 yards, a touchdown and an interception.

Benet, however showed that you can get back in the game other ways if the offense in not clicking.

On the kickoff after the touchdown, Phillip Schmidt returned the kick 87 yards to the Nazareth's six-yard line.

The Redwings took advantage of the opportunity given to them by the special teams squad and on third down Jimmy Riley connected with Mike Vanchieri in the back of the end zone for the touchdown. Vanchieri made an inside-outside move to beat the defender and then caught the Riley pass by the back pylon.

Vanchieri would be a key target for Riley as he caught three passes for a total of 15 yards.