BU loses 32-29.  BU had the lead with about 4:30 minutes to play but gave up a 60+ yard TD run to give the lead back to Lakeland.  BU drove into Lakeland territory for a game tying field goal, but missed.  Tough loss for BU.

BU really needs to find some answers on defense, they have some very talented individual players, but the defense as a whole is not playing good football.

BU Wins 51-49 @ CUW.  Crazy back and forth game.  BU Overcame 5 of their own Turnovers to win the game with 30 second left to play.

BU beats Rockford 67-15...

BU wins 35-28! They also Win in comeback fashion scoring the go ahead TD with a little over a minute left in the ball game. Great game by both teams, very entertaining.

BU up 21-14 at Half...

I agree with all of your points. What I meant by national relevance is maybe slipping into the others receiving votes category or, even cracking the top 25, but ultimately winning a playoff game. Maybe national relevance was a poor choice of words on my end, but that's my hope for the program over the next few years. What I would really like to see is a W this weekend over Adrian!

Hi Usee, Thanks for weighing in.  I was pretty impressed with the way BU played against St. Norbert and am very impressed with Coach Sears thus far.  I truly feel he will turn BU into a consistent winner and hopefully be able to make them nationally relevant! 

Awesome, thanks for the info Usee!

Hello to the CCIW Board... BenU just hired their new head football coach and I was wondering if any of the Wheaton guys could give me some insight as to what we can expect from Coach Sears...  Thanks in advance.

It is with great pleasure that Benedictine University announces the hiring of Josiah Sears as the 28th head football coach in school history.

"I am extremely humbled and excited for the opportunity to work at Benedictine and lead the young men within the football program," Sears said. "Everything about the school, department, and program are impressive, and I am excited to use my experience and values, which align with both the university and department, to build a culture of excellence in every area of life."

Josiah Sears arrives at Benedictine for his first head coaching appointment after serving as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Wheaton College for the past three seasons. Wheaton posted consecutive unbeaten regular seasons for the first time in school history in 2014 and 2015, reaching the second round of the NCAA Playoffs each year, finishing with a record of 11-1 each of the past two seasons and finishing ranked in the top-10 nationally. Wheaton featured two All-American offensive linemen this year and sported a 30-4 record during the three years with Sears.

"Josiah demonstrated a detailed vision for our football program," Benedictine Director of Athletics Mark McHorney said. "Being able to clearly outline every aspect of the program was something that stood out with the screening committee. We were able to see what our program culture will be on the field, in the classroom, and in the community. I couldn't be more excited to welcome Josiah (Sears) and his outstanding pedigree to Benedictine. His commitment to excellence has been evident from his days as a player through his coaching career at two of the top programs in Division III. I'd like to thank the screening committee, office of enrollment, and Vice President for Student Life Marco Masini for their time and effort during this process."

Prior to joining Wheaton, Sears logged five years as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Franklin College. Franklin made four appearances in the NCAA Playoffs with four wins during Sears' tenure, posting an overall record of 44-11 over the five years with four conference titles. Sears helped produce multiple offensive All-American selections at Franklin including a pair of quarterbacks who were also named as the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference Player of the Year. One of the quarterbacks was a finalist for the Gagliardi Trophy and the other set an NCAA single game record for completion percentage. Franklin set numerous school records while scoring just under 40 points per game and averaging just under 450 yards.

Sears played collegiately as a running back and fullback at Indiana University, working his way from a walk-on to scholarship player and was voted as a captain of the 2007 team along with current Chicago Bear Tracy Porter. Indiana broke a 14-year bowl drought during his final campaign, which saw the Indiana native score six touchdowns. Following his college career, Sears was offered tryouts with the Bears and Buffalo Bills.

Sears inherits a team that finished 7-3 this season under head coach Jon Cooper, who retired following the season. Benedictine lost to Lakeland College in the regular season finale to determine the conference champion. Benedictine has represented the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference in the NCAA Playoffs three times in the past six seasons.

"I am impressed with Mark (McHorney) and his vision and leadership," Sears said. "I am excited to get started and contribute to the greatness of the institution."

Sears, who resides in Wheaton with his wife Lyndee, and two children, daughter Tinley (4), and son Boman (2), will be formally introduced to the Benedictine community at a luncheon on Tuesday, January 26.

BenU has a new football coach...  What do you think of the hire?  Good luck to Coach Sears!

It is with great pleasure that Benedictine University announces the hiring of Josiah Sears as the 28th head football coach in school history.

"I am extremely humbled and excited for the opportunity to work at Benedictine and lead the young men within the football program," Sears said. "Everything about the school, department, and program are impressive, and I am excited to use my experience and values, which align with both the university and department, to build a culture of excellence in every area of life."

Josiah SearsSears arrives at Benedictine for his first head coaching appointment after serving as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Wheaton College for the past three seasons. Wheaton posted consecutive unbeaten regular seasons for the first time in school history in 2014 and 2015, reaching the second round of the NCAA Playoffs each year, finishing with a record of 11-1 each of the past two seasons and finishing ranked in the top-10 nationally. Wheaton featured two All-American offensive linemen this year and sported a 30-4 record during the three years with Sears.

"Josiah demonstrated a detailed vision for our football program," Benedictine Director of Athletics Mark McHorney said. "Being able to clearly outline every aspect of the program was something that stood out with the screening committee. We were able to see what our program culture will be on the field, in the classroom, and in the community. I couldn't be more excited to welcome Josiah (Sears) and his outstanding pedigree to Benedictine. His commitment to excellence has been evident from his days as a player through his coaching career at two of the top programs in Division III. I'd like to thank the screening committee, office of enrollment, and Vice President for Student Life Marco Masini for their time and effort during this process."

Prior to joining Wheaton, Sears logged five years as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Franklin College. Franklin made four appearances in the NCAA Playoffs with four wins during Sears' tenure, posting an overall record of 44-11 over the five years with four conference titles. Sears helped produce multiple offensive All-American selections at Franklin including a pair of quarterbacks who were also named as the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference Player of the Year. One of the quarterbacks was a finalist for the Gagliardi Trophy and the other set an NCAA single game record for completion percentage. Franklin set numerous school records while scoring just under 40 points per game and averaging just under 450 yards.

Sears played collegiately as a running back and fullback at Indiana University, working his way from a walk-on to scholarship player and was voted as a captain of the 2007 team along with current Chicago Bear Tracy Porter. Indiana broke a 14-year bowl drought during his final campaign, which saw the Indiana native score six touchdowns. Following his college career, Sears was offered tryouts with the Bears and Buffalo Bills.

Sears inherits a team that finished 7-3 this season under head coach Jon Cooper, who retired following the season. Benedictine lost to Lakeland College in the regular season finale to determine the conference champion. Benedictine has represented the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference in the NCAA Playoffs three times in the past six seasons.

"I am impressed with Mark (McHorney) and his vision and leadership," Sears said. "I am excited to get started and contribute to the greatness of the institution."

Sears, who resides in Wheaton with his wife Lyndee, and two children, daughter Tinley (4), and son Boman (2), will be formally introduced to the Benedictine community at a luncheon on Tuesday, January 26.

http://benueagles.com/news/2015/3/3/FB_0303150026.aspx?path=football

New OC at BU has been hired!

BU beats Lakeland 16-0 and will be in the NCAA playoffs! Congrats to BU!

BU smacks CUW 33-6... BU didnt give up a single touchdown to the high powered CUW offense, CUW kicked 2 field goals in the loss! Great game BU, keep it going!

Benedictine has some exciting construction going on on campus, check out the below link to see Benedictine's new college of business!

https://www.ben.edu/campus_resources/CampusPlanning/business.cfm

BU released their 2014 Schedule...
http://www.benueagles.com/news/2014/6/16/FB_0616141321.aspx