ROCKFORD, Ill. - The Rockford University football team fell 15-7 in a defensive struggle to the Concordia University Wisconsin Falcons on Saturday. Offensively the Regents were able to move the ball as they finished the game with 233 yards of total offense, but struggled to score points. Defensively the Regents played very well allowing just 15 points and forcing four turnovers against a Concordia Wisconsin offense that entered the game averaging 400 yards of total offense and 28 points per game.
Concordia Wisconsin scored the game's first points late in the first quarter when the Falcons took advantage of excellent field position. Following a short punt by the Regents, CUW went 42 yards on 5 plays including a 29-yard touchdown pass to take a 6-0 lead after the missed extra point.
The game remained 6-0 until late in the second quarter when the Regents connected on their best offensive play of the game. Facing a third down and nine at his own 31 yard line, freshman quarterback Adam O'Malley (Elk Grove, Ill.) eluded the Falcon pass rush, scrambled outside the pocket and launched the ball down field to a wide open Joe Breeden (Burlington, Ill.) who went 69 yards into the end zone. Freshman kicker Brandon Moody (Taylorville, Ill.) knocked through the extra point to give Rockford a 7-6 lead entering halftime.
The Falcons had multiple other scoring opportunities in the first half but were turned away each time by the Rockford defense. Senior Michael Krieter (Rockford, Ill.) thwarted a CUW scoring attempt when he intercepted a pass in the end zone for touchback to end the Falcon threat. Just prior to halftime the Regents would once again turn away the Falcons in the red zone as the RU defense forced and recovered a fumble on the 2-yard line.
The second half did not start out well for the Regents as the Falcons scored on their opening possession. CUW drove the ball 63 yards on 8 plays to score their second touchdown of the game and retake the lead at 13-7. The only other scoring play in the game came early in the fourth quarter when the Falcons recorded a safety to extend their lead to 15-7.
The Rockford defense created three more turnovers in the second half giving their offense a chance late in the game. Freshman defensive back Trecion Bell (Belleville, Ill.) ended another red zone threat by the Falcons when he intercepted a pass on the 2-yard line to keep his team within striking distance. After the safety gave the ball back to the Falcon offense, the RU defense rose to the occasion once again forcing yet another turnover. Rockford defensive back Jose Robles (Round Lake, Ill.) forced a fumble that was recovered by Dominique Campbell (Waterloo, Iowa) to give the ball back to the offense. Following a punt, the Rockford defense made one final stand giving the Regents one last opportunity to tie the game. Senior defensive lineman Tremaine Berry (Ocala, Fla.) came up with a huge sack and forced a fumble on fourth down giving Rockford the ball on its own 31 yard line with 1:47 remaining. Unfortunately the Regents were unable to move the ball and would turn it back over to the Falcons on downs essentially ending the game.
Rockford had a number of outstanding performances on the defensive side of the ball. Michael Krieter had a monster game recording a game-high 11 tackles including 2 tackles for loss, an interception and a fumble recovery. Senior defensive back Reggie Haynes (Chicago, Ill.) tallied a season-high 10 tackles, forced a fumble and broke up a pass. Freshman linebacker Josh Nelson (Ladd, Ill.) also had a very nice game as he recorded a season-high 9 tackles including 2 tackles for loss and 1 sack. Michael Watson (Schaumburg, Ill.) and Dominique Campbell had 8 tackles each with Campbell tallying 1.5 tackles for loss.
The RU football team returns to the field next Saturday, October 31 at home against Benedictine University. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. at Sam Greeley Field.
