PLYMOUTH, Wis. – Robby Michael (Fr.-Sheboygan, Wis.) passed for 204 yards and rushed for 173 yards but Lakeland University came up just short against one of the top teams in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference, dropping a 23-14 decision to Benedictine University Saturday afternoon at Taylor Field.

The Muskies outgained an opponent for the fourth time in five games, this time by a substantial total, but a few elusive plays were the difference in their third loss this season by a single-digit margin. Lakeland is still searching for its first win after dropping to 0-5 overall and 0-3 in the NACC.

Michael had his most productive overall game yet as the Muskies' starting quarterback. The freshman completed 14 of 32 passes for 204 yards and also rushed 25 times for a season-best 173 yards and a touchdown, and nearly led Lakeland all the way back from a 17-0 deficit late in the third quarter.

After four drives of 51 yards or more had still produced no points, the Muskies finally broke through late in the third quarter with a 15-play, 65-yard drive. Michael scored on a quarterback run from two yards out to cut Benedictine's lead to 17-7 with 2 minutes, 46 seconds left in the third.

Lakeland then got the ball back quickly, as a second down pass by Evan Wydajewski was tipped and intercepted by Leondre Townsend (Jr.-Menomonee Falls, Wis.), giving the Muskies possession at the Eagles' 35. A 26-yard run by Michael soon gave Lakeland first-and-goal from the 3, and Devon Harris (So.-Milwaukee, Wis.) scored two plays later from two yards out for his first touchdown as a Muskie, putting the hosts down just 17-14 still in the third period.

Lakeland then quickly forced a three-and-out by the Eagles, and by midway through the fourth quarter appeared to have all the momentum and looked set to take the lead when it drove 75 yards down to the Benedictine 5. A penalty backed up the Muskies 15 yards, though, and Lakeland could only get back to the Eagles 10 before the drive stalled, and a tying field goal attempt from 33 yards out was blocked.

The Muskies finished with 462 yards of offense, nearly 200 yards more than the Eagles (5-1 overall, 3-1 NACC) after a sturdy defensive effort limited the guests to 276 yards. In a game where both teams did most of their work on the ground, though, a few plays wound up making a world of difference.

One came early in the second quarter, when a Lakeland drive that started from its own 16-yard line appeared to have ended in a 26-yard touchdown pass from Michael to Kolby Cohen (So.-Missouri City, Texas) that with an extra-point would've drawn the Muskies within 10-7. The play was wiped out, though, due to an ineligible lineman downfield call, and though Lakeland drove back down to the Eagles' 8 the drive ended with a missed field goal attempt with 9:59 left in the second quarter.

Two huge pass plays also ruined an otherwise excellent day for the Muskies' pass defense, which held Benedictine freshman quarterback Wydajewski to 92 yards passing in his first collegiate start. The first play came near the end of the first half, when a long Benedictine drive appeared set to end with a field goal attempt until the Eagles called timeout and chose to go for it on 4th-and-9 from the Lakeland 18. Wydajewski threaded the needle with a pass over the middle to Nathan Rillo, who held on between a pair of Muskies for 13 yards and a first down, and Rillo scored one play later on a five-yard run to give the Eagles a 17-0 lead.

The second big pass came midway through the fourth quarter, shortly after the Muskies' tying field goal try had been blocked. On 2nd-and-6 near midfield, Wydajewski nearly doubled his passing yardage for the game in one throw, lofting a ball down the right sideline that Nick Shelton caught for a 37-yard gain. The Eagles would capitalize three plays later for their final touchdown, putting Lakeland behind 23-14 with less than 4 1/2 minutes left.

The Muskies drove into Benedictine territory one final time, getting down as far as the Eagles 12 after a 30-yard run by Michael. A pair of sacks backed Lakeland up to 4th-and-24 needed from the 26, though, and a last-ditch pass attempt to the end zone was intercepted to end the final chance.

The Muskies finished with advantages over the Eagles both rushing (258 yards to 184) and passing (204-92) as well as first downs (25-17). In fact, Lakeland never punted in the game, but three drives ended on downs, two on missed field goals and two on turnovers.

Chris Crawford (Jr.-Chicago, Ill.) caught five passes for a career-high 106 yards, his first career 100-yard receiving game. Cohen also caught four passes for 50 yards. Jatron Bevly (Fr.-Springfield, Ill.) also rushed 17 times for 58 yards.

Andrew Cardiel (Sr.-Needville, Texas) led the defense with 13 tackles (11 solo, two assisted). Karlis Ozols (Jr.-Fond du Lac, Wis.) also added six tackles, including two tackles for loss.

Lakeland is home again next Saturday when it hosts Concordia University Chicago at 2:30 p.m. for the Muskies' Homecoming.