Central Methodist lost its second straight game to a ranked team on Saturday, falling to No. 3 Benedictine College 52-7 on Homecoming.

Central now stands at 2-5 overall and 1-2 in the Heart South Division, while Benedictine improves to 6-1 and 2-0 in conference play.

Despite the lopsided score, the teams were separated by just 10 points after the first quarter when the game was forced to delay due to lightning. The 1 p.m. game was halted until 4:15 when it was deemed safe to return to Davis Field. Central eventually moved the planned halftime coronation indoors to Puckett Fieldhouse during the long pause.

Benedictine struck first on their opening drive of the game, scoring in just 1:12 on a 42-yard touchdown pass to take a 7-0 lead.

The Eagles went three-and-out on their first possession but got a spark from the special teams unit. Benedictine’s return man would fumble the ball on the ensuing punt from Jonathin Castillo, which was recovered by senior Caleb Justice at the Ravens’ 44-yard line.

Quarterback Jordan Gile found Dakota Troost over the top for a 39-yard pass completion to put Central at the Raven 5-yard line. Two plays later, Gile connected with Elijah Jahr, who broke a tackle to cross the right side of the goal line for Central’s lone touchdown. It was the first career score for Jahr, a redshirt freshman from Jefferson City. The extra point was converted, tying the game at 7-7 at the 9:53 mark of the first quarter.

The Ravens would jump back out in front for good with a touchdown followed by a 55-yard field goal to take a 17-7 lead at the end of the action-packed first quarter.

After one play in the second, the game was paused for three hours due to lightning in the area. When play resumed, Benedictine would score seven points in the second, followed by 14 points in each of the third and fourth quarters to secure the Ravens’ fifth straight win, 52-7.

Central’s offense was anemic outside of its first-quarter scoring drive, gaining just 177 total yards. Gile was held to double-digit yardage, completing nine of 25 passes for 92 yards and the touchdown. The Eagles’ rushing game was just as ineffective, averaging 2.7 yards per carry with 85 yards on 31 attempts.

Benedictine, meanwhile, racked up 643 total yards of offense, rushing for 453 with 190 yards in the air.

Treyvion Hourel Jr. led Central’s defense with 17 tackles, including a tackle for loss, along with one pass breakup. Matthew Higginbotham followed with eight tackles.

CMU’s secondary also recorded two interceptions, one each by Dont’e Lewis and Malakhi Edwards.

The Eagles remain at home to host longtime Heart rival Baker University on Saturday. The Wildcats are 3-3 overall. They lost their first three games of the season but have won three straight since. The kick-off is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Saturday.