LISLE, Ill.--- The Concordia University Chicago football team (3-6,1-6) hit the road for the final time this season on Saturday afternoon to take on conference rival Benedictine University (7-2,6-1). The Cougars held tough throughout the first half, but ultimately fell to Benedictine 49-21.
Things looked promising for the CUC throughout the first half. After the Cougars defense shut the Eagles down on the first drive of the game, senior running back DeAndre Daniels (Chula Vista, Calif.) capped off a quick two-play drive with a 74-yard receiving touchdown courtesy of freshman quarterback Troy Pratley (St. Joseph, Mich.). Benedictine responded quickly, scoring the next 14 points of the game. The Cougars tied the game at 14 in the second quarter on a 11-yard TD run from Pratley, but the Eagles struck once more before half to take a 21-14 lead into the locker room.
The Cougars pulled even with the Eagles on a 41-yard TD rush from Daniels early in the third quarter. However, the Cougars would not find the endzone again, as Benedictine scored the last 28 points of the game to spoil the final road contest of the 2021 season for Concordia..
Most of the Cougars' offense came from the ground, where 214 of their 295 total yards were gained. The Eagles air-raid offense was on full display as BU outgained CUC 501-81 in the air. Benedictine also won the turnover battle, forcing two CUC turnovers compared to only one of their own.
Notable Stats
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Daniels finished the day with 167 rushing yards on 26 carries. He also accounted for two of the Cougars three TDs, scoring one on the ground and one through the air.
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Freshman linebacker Brendon Baugh (Tamarac, Fla.) picked up his second interception of the season with his third quarter interception. Baugh also added a tackle-for-loss and a pass-breakup.
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Senior Earl MacIntyre (Smithville, Texas) led CUC in total tackles with 11, three of which were solo.
Concordia will conclude their 2021 season next Saturday when they host St. Norbert College at Concordia Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 12pm. Coverage for that game as well as all CUC athletics can be found at cucougars.com/coverage.
