Two night games and an always competitive Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference schedule highlight the 2014 Benedictine University football schedule.
 
The Eagles begin the season on September 6 with a 6:30 p.m. contest hosting Central College from Iowa. The Dutch are coming off a 6-4 overall record last season with wins over Augustana College and Albion College.
 
"Our schedule is different this year with three new non-conference opponents to begin the season," stated head coach Jon Cooper. "All are outstanding programs and were contenders in their respective leagues."
 
After their home opener, Benedictine travels to Carroll University on September 13 for a 1:00 p.m. game. The Pioneers ended the 2013 season with a 6-4 record and were 5-4 in the Midwest Conference.
 
Homecoming is on September 20 and the Eagles take on Adrian College in the NACC-Michigan Intercollege Athletic Association (MIAA) Challenge. The Bulldogs finished fourth in their league last season and were 6-4 overall. The game kicks-off at 6:30 p.m.
 
After a bye-week on September 27, BenU has three straight road contests beginning with a repeat trip to Kalamazoo College (1:00 p.m. on October 4) who finished 6-4 last year. The Eagles defeated Kalamazoo 28-23 last season in their third game of the year. The Hornets ended the year with a 6-4 overall record and won their final three games of the season.
 
"All four of our non-conference opponents had winning records last season," added Cooper. "This will be our toughest non-conference schedule in a very long time."
 
Benedictine heads to Wisconsin Lutheran College on October 11 at 1:00 p.m. to open up the NACC portion of the schedule. Last season, the Eagles trailed 20-0 to WLC at the half to come back and win 34-28 in overtime. The Warriors finished the season with a 4-6 overall record and a 3-3 mark in conference play.
 
On October 18, BenU travels to Aurora University for a 1:00 p.m. contest. The rivalry between the two teams is one of the greatest in the league. The Eagles defeated the Spartans last season 33-23 on homecoming and AU looks to even the score. Aurora was 3-7 last year with a 2-4 NACC record.
 
The Eagles host Concordia University-Chicago on October 25 at 1:00 p.m. for Parent Weekend. Even though the Cougars finished with a 1-5 conference record last season, they won the league with a 7-0 sweep in NACC action in 2012 and advanced to the NCAA DIII Football Championships. Benedictine defeated CUC last season, 48-27.

On November 1, Benedictine travels to the 2013 NACC champions, Concordia University-Wisconsin, for a 1:00 p.m. contest. The Falcons edged the Eagles in last season's conference opener, 28-27 and went on to remain undefeated in NACC action and earn a trip to the NCAA DIII Football Championship.
 
The Eagles host the final two games of the year, first welcoming Rockford University for a 1:00 p.m. contest on November 8. Benedictine has won every contest against the Regents since 2008 when they joined the league. Last year, BenU won 30-13.
 
Benedictine ends the regular season on November 15 when they welcome Lakeland College for a 1:00 p.m. kick off. The Eagles dropped a 15-12 decision to the Muskies in last season's final game. Lakeland owned a 7-3 overall record and were 5-1 in NACC action in 2013.
 
"Our conference continues to get stronger and we anticipate a completive schedule of games this season," said Cooper. "Defending champion CUW returns several key players, Aurora and WLC have new coaches and Lakeland is coming off a great year. All of our games will be tough matchups."
 
Benedictine finished the 2013 season 7-3 overall and 4-2 in the league. The Eagles return nine starts on defense and six on offense. Football reports for preseason camp on Wednesday, August 13.
 
To view the entire 2014 schedule CLICK HERE.