NEW ULM, Minn. - The Rockford University football team (1-1) fell 34-20 on the road Saturday afternoon to the Martin Luther College Knights (1-1). Rockford got off to a great start, scoring 13 points in the first quarter to jump out to a 13-0 lead. Unfortunately, Martin Luther scored the next 34 points en route to the victory. Martin Luther had a short field for much of the afternoon and scored 28 of its 35 points off Rockford turnovers. This allowed the Knights to rely heavily on their rushing attack in order to control the game and keep the RU offense on the sideline. Martin Luther outgained Rockford 214-90 on the ground, which led to the Knights having a near nine-and-a-half-minute advantage in time of possession.
- The Regents scored on each of their first two possessions to take a quick 13-0 lead.
- Rockford methodically moved the ball down the field on the game's opening possession, converting on two third downs and one fourth down. Late in the drive, LaVar Johnson Jr. gained eight yards on fourth and one to give his team a fresh set of downs. One player later, Delayno Mack found Adam Ambrogio for 11 yards and a touchdown. Gerardo Zamudio connected on the point after, to make it a 7-0 game.
- The Regents continued to assert their will on their second drive of the afternoon. Rockford used 10 plays to march the ball 73 yards and find the end zone for the second time in as many possessions. The Regents again converted on another crucial fourth down, but this time it was Delayno Mack who found Kalan Miller for a 9-yard completion on fourth and two to keep the drive alive. One player later, Mack again connected with Miller, this time for 19 yards and a touchdown. Unfortunately, the point after was blocked, so the game remained 13-0.
- Martin Luther was finally able to get on the board late in the first quarter. The Knights were setup with a short field after recovering a fumble on special teams. It took them just three plays to find the end zone and pull within six points at 13-7.
- The Knights took their first lead of the afternoon with less than a minute remaining in the first half. Once again, Martin Luther was set up with a short field, this time thanks to an interception. The Knights used five plays to cover 21 yards and take a 14-13 advantage into halftime.
- The third quarter was dominated by both defenses, as there were a total of five punts and one turnover on downs.
- The Knights did however have a chance to score early in the fourth quarter, with the ball inside the Rockford 5-yard line. Fortunately, Tandre Lofton recovered a fumble at the Rockford 1-yard line to turn the Knights away empty-handed.
- After an three and out by the Regents, Martin Luther needed just one play to find the end zone and extend its lead to 21-13.
- Martin Luther then began to pull away with its second touchdown in less than two minutes. The Knights were once again set up with a short field after recovering a fumble on the Rockford 13-yard line. Martin Luther needed just four plays to score and make it a 28-13 game.
- The Knights tacked on one final touchdown following yet another RU turnover. Martin Luther needed just two plays to cover 63 yards, including a 62-yard touchdown pass to take a 35-13 lead.
- Rockford was able to answer with one final touchdown on its very next possession. RU quarterback Delayno Mack connected on a 72-yard touchdown pass to Kalan Miller to make it a 35-20 game.
- Unfortunately, the Regents were unable to get another closer, and fell by a final score of 35-20.
The RU football team returns to action on Saturday, September 21 at Alma College. Kickoff is set for 1:00 PM.
