ROCKFORD, Ill. - The Rockford University football team knew they had a tough challenge when they faced Concordia University Wisconsin Saturday afternoon at Sam Greeley field. The Falcons came in as the top team in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference with a 3-0 record. Much like the Regents, they boasted a strong passing attack and the potential to score a lot of points. In the end, it was the Falcons passing attack and defense that determined the game along with a huge second quarter that quickly put the game out of reach. Concordia Wisconsin came away with a 55-13 win.
Rockford started the game with the ball after Concordia Wisconsin deferred and kicked. The first drive for both teams foreshadowed what was to be as the Regents had a three and out and the Falcons quickly marched 68 yards down the field and scored on a one yard pass. The Regents put together a nice second drive before stalling on the Falcons 30 yard line and turned the ball over on downs. Concordia Wisconsin completed a long pass to get them in Rockford's red zone but the defense came up strong and forced a 37 yard field goal. That would be all the scoring for the first quarter with Concordia Wisconsin leading 10-0.
One of the best drives for the Regents revolved around starting running back Milton Phillips Jr. (Rockford, Ill./Guilford) as he ran for 29 yards and sealed a 9 play 65 yard drive with a great multiple tackle breaking 12 yard catch and run down the right sideline. Phillips would end the day with 51 rushing yards on 14 attempts for a 3.6 rush average and he added 2 catches for 21 yards and one touchdown. Things looked up for the Regents after Phillips great touchdown run but the second quarter and the game quickly got out of hand as one of the conference's top passing team showcased its quick scoring ability and a couple of key Regent mistakes cost them. After the Regents touchdown the Falcons drove 69 yards on six plays and 2 minutes and 9 seconds for a touchdown. Two offense plays later for Rockford Concordia Wisconsin forced a fumble and proceeded to run it back for a touchdown. The Regents followed their turnover with a three and out and the Falcons scored quickly with a 52 yard touchdown pass on their first offensive play of the next series. Another three and out for the Regents resulted in another punt and this time it took the Falcons two plays to score a touchdown on a 49 yard pass. Concordia Wisconsin ended the second quarter scoring a few drives later with a 12 play 65 yard drive that ended with a touchdown. The halftime scored had Concordia Wisconsin leading Rockford 45-10 after the Falcons scored 35 unanswered points in the second quarter.
The Falcons started the second half with the ball and were slowed by the Regents defense at Rockford's 16 yard line, settling for a field goal. Rockford's offensive struggles continued as their first possession of the second half ended with a three and out and a botched punt resulted in great field position for Concordia Wisconsin. They capitalized on the Regent mistake and scored two plays later. Both defensives played well the rest of the quarter as neither team moved the ball much the rest of the way. The score at the end of the third quarter read Concordia Wisconsin 55 Rockford 7.
Rockford ended the third quarter on a nice drive and it culminated on the first play of the fourth quarter with Seth Swinehart (Rockford, Ill./East) team leading fifth rushing touchdown; the point after touchdown was pushed wide right. The touchdown ended a 9 play 53 yard drive for the Regents. Rockford's defense played great in the forth quarter as they threw up a shutout, including a three and out after Swinehart's touchdown run. Rockford followed that three and out with a nice drive but a crucial sack on 3rd and 10 at Concordia Wisconsin's 13 yard line followed by an incomplete pass on forth down ended a 15 play 77 yard drive for the Regents. The final scored of the game saw Concordia Wisconsin pull away with the 55 to 13 win.
Aabed Nekrawesh (Fremont, Calif./Fremont) finished the game 15 for 30 for 151 yards and one touchdown pass. Swinehart picked up 21 rushing yards on three carries and junior John Pratt (Palmdale, Ill./Paraclete) ran hard in the fourth quarter, picking up 24 yards on three carries. Familiar face Dane Kirk (Rochelle, Ill./Rochelle) led the Regents in receiving as he finished with 73 yards on seven catches. Safety Jordan Blair (Lanark, Ill./Eastland) led the Regents defense with eight tackles. He added a pass breakup and also one tackle for a loss of five yards. Linebacker Nicholas Lloyd (Rosamond, Calif./Rosamond) added in six tackles and forced a fumble which was recovered and returned 34 yards by Jared Baldonado (Phoenix, Ariz./Copper Canyon). Baldonado added in three tackles and a pass breakup. Rockford finished with 21 first downs, 194 passing yards, and 66 rushing yards.
The Regents next game and their final home game of the season is next week November 9th at 12:00 p.m. when they take on Wisconsin Lutheran College. Before the game there will be a special ceremony as we honor the 2013 senior class for the Rockford University football team. Their season concludes on November 16th when they travel to Aurora University at 12:00 p.m.
