LISLE, Ill. – Eldrada Meeks (So.-Southfield, Mich.) busted free for a 54-yard touchdown with 4:58 left in the game and Lakeland University withstood a potential tying field goal in the final minute to defeat Benedictine University 32-29 in a pivotal Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference game.

The Muskies rallied from a halftime deficit with a big third quarter and then made big plays on offense and defense late to win the latest edition in the growing rivalry between two of the NACC's top programs. Lakeland cleared one of its toughest hurdles on the way to a possible second straight outright league title and improved to 4-2 overall and 2-0 in NACC play.

The first collegiate rushing touchdown by Meeks was a fitting offensive cap on a day where the Muskies unabashedly leaned on the ground game with considerable success. Lakeland rushed on 46 of its 60 offensive plays and averaged 5.0 yards per carry in gaining 229 yards, its largest total in nearly four years.

The score by Meeks also was provided an answer at a time when the game could've gotten away from Lakeland after Benedictine (4-2 overall, 1-1 NACC) had just scored twice in the fourth quarter to take the lead. The Eagles had just driven 45 yards in 10 plays to take a 29-26 lead on a four-yard run by Ryan Sample with 5:40 left, but the Muskies needed just three plays to go 75 yards and take the lead right back.

Benedictine still had plenty of time to tie or take the lead, taking over at its 34 with just under five minutes left. The Eagles drove deep into Lakeland territory, getting to the 16 with 2:47 still left. The Muskies defense stiffened, though, Marcus Williams (So.-Houston, Texas) came up with a big 12-yard sack on third down, and Kyle Bennett's 41-yard field goal with 35 seconds left missed wide right.

Lakeland recovered from a 15-6 halftime deficit by scoring on three straight drives to start the third quarter. Michael Whitley (Jr.-Vidalia, La.) rushed for a four-yard score and passed to Dezmen Morse (Jr.-Milwaukee, Wis.) for a 20-yard touchdown to put the Muskies ahead, and Dezmon Eddie (Fr.-Alexandria, La.) raced 61 yards for a touchdown and a 26-15 lead late in the third quarter.

Lakeland also scored first in the game, getting on the board in the second quarter by going 43 yards in seven plays, with Whitley hitting Eddie for a four-yard toss for a touchdown with 10:01 left in the first half. The Eagles would own the rest of the quarter, though, scoring on a safety and then scoring two touchdowns in the final 2:58 of the first half for a 15-6 halftime lead.

Eddie had the biggest rushing day by a Muskies running back in several years, gaining 141 yards on 16 carries, the most by a Lakeland running back since Kendrick Burks rushed for 153 yards against Concordia Chicago on Nov. 9, 2013. Meeks also gained 83 yards on six carries and Kezlow Smith (Sr.-Pontiac, Mich.) added six rushes for 36 yards.

Whitley wasn't called on to pass often but was efficient when he did, completing 12 of 14 passes for 126 yards and the two scores. Morse led the receiving corps with three catches for 49 yards. Smith also caught two passes and now has tied the school's career record for receptions with 180, sharing the mark currently with Jeff Taff (2000-03).

Airiss Hargrow (Sr.-Flint, Mich.) was again all over the field on defense with 12 tackles (six solo, six assisted), including 1.5 tackles for loss. Mason Ross (Jr.-Pulaski, Wis.) added nine tackles and Kevyn Lewis (Sr.-Inkster, Mich.) finished with eight tackles. The Lakeland defense slowed down a potent Benedictine offense, limiting the hosts to 312 yards of total offense, including 127 yards passing.

Lakeland is back home next week when it welcomes Wisconsin Lutheran College for a 1 p.m. kickoff, with the game taking place at Urban Field in Sheboygan on the campus of Sheboygan North High School.

Muskies by the numbers:
1 - Drive by Benedictine longer than 45 yards
4 - Touchdowns on first five possessions of second half for Lakeland
17 - Combined margin of victory in the Muskies' four wins this year
20 - Points scored in the third quarter by Lakeland against Benedictine
174 - Yards that the Muskies held Benedictine below its season average for total offense
224 - Combined rushing yards for Dezmon Eddie and Eldrada Meeks in just 22 carries Saturday
1,000 - Career rushing yards for Michael Whitley on the dot after today's game