New era at Benet off to great start

Everything was new for Benet on Friday night. A new season. A new quarterback. And a new coach.

Pat New's debut as Benet's coach was a rousing success as the Redwings blasted Oswego East 34-0 at Benedictine University thanks to the play of junior quarterback Nick Mankowski and a stingy defense.

Mankowski, making his first varsity start, completed 14 of 19 attempts for 149 yards and 2 touchdowns - both to Connor Nelligan. He also displayed some nifty moves running the ball as he finished with 64 yards while scoring twice on the ground.

"You've got to let the season unfold, but obviously we're very pleased tonight," New said. "I was nervous starting yesterday. I was nervous in class and all day today. So to get that first game out of the way, especially with a victory, made it feel great."

Mankowski also admitted he was a bit nervous at the outset but settled down and took control.

"I just told myself to relax and just have some fun out there," he said. "My coaches told me to use my feet. Our (offensive) line did a very good job blocking."

That they did. The Redwings piled up 243 yards on the ground. E.J. Howe led all Redwings ballcarriers with 85 yards on 18 carries.

Howe's 8-yard touchdown run on Benet's first offensive series of the year put the Redwings ahead 7-0. With 3:29 left in the first quarter, Mankowski displayed a nice touch when he led Nelligan, who made a diving catch in the end zone on a play that covered 20 yards to give Benet a 14-0 cushion.

"We knew (Mankowski) could scramble, but I didn't realize he was 14-for-19 (passing)," New said. "I'm really pleased with those statistics. That's great."

Mankowski added touchdown runs of 2 and 10 yards in the second quarter as Benet marched to a 27-0 lead at intermission. Benet's defense - led by Pat Boyle, who had a quarterback sack and a tackle for loss in the first quarter - held the Wolves' offense to just 1 yard during the first half.

Oswego East, which didn't win a game in 2009, dropped its 13th consecutive contest. The Redwings defeated the Wolves in their season opener last year.

"I'm very pleased with their performance tonight," New said. "I was most pleased with their physicality. Their intensity was excellent. But the game wasn't flawless. We've got a lot of improving to do."