Turnovers haunt Wildcats as four-game winning streak ends

ATCHISON, Kan. — The Culver-Stockton College football team’s four-game winning streak was snapped Saturday afternoon with a 65-24 loss at Benedictine College. It’s the 32nd consecutive loss by the Wildcats against the Ravens.

The Wildcats enter their bye week with a 4-2 record and will start Heart of America Athletic Conference divisional play Oct. 16 at Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa.

After the Ravens missed a field goal on the initial drive of the game, C-SC marched 80 yards on eight plays and took a 7-0 lead after a 22-yard scoring pass from Jase Orndorff to Isaiah Eppinger. Benedictine responded with an 85-yard drive to tie the game at 7-7.

On their next possession, the Wildcats moved the ball to the Ravens’ 16-yard line. Michael Velasco made a 33-yard field goal to give the visitors a 10-7 four minutes into the second quarter.

Things then started going sour for the Wildcats.

A muffed punt by the Wildcats led to a go-ahead touchdown by Benedictine. A nine-play drive by the Wildcats ended at the Benedictine 17-yard line, and a field goal attempt by Velasco was blocked.

After a Benedictine touchdown, C-SC quarterback Jase Orndorff was intercepted on the next drive. Benedictine scored its third touchdown of the quarter just before halftime to take a 27-10 halftime lead.

The Wildcats began the third quarter by fumbling the opening kickoff, and the Ravens recovered. C-SC stood its ground and forced the Ravens to give up the ball on downs. The Wildcats then cut the lead to 27-17 after a 15-yard touchdown reception by Mateen Johnson.

Benedictine responded three plays later with a 63-yard touchdown run to make the score 34-17. A fumble led to another Benedictine touchdown. The Ravens added another touchdown, then blocked a punt and added a fourth touchdown of the third quarter to lead 55-17.

Orndorff finished with 329 yards passing and two scores. The Wildcats were limited to 63 yards rushing on 27 attempts. The Ravens totaled 594 yards of offense.