ROCKFORD, Ill. - The Concordia University Chicago Cougars spoiled homecoming 2012 for the Regents as they passed their way to a 48-10 victory Saturday afternoon at Sam Greeley Field. The Regents, coming off their bye week were no match for the Cougars passing attack as Cougar Quaterbacks threw for 257 yards and 4 touchdowns. Concordia won the toss elected to receive, 3 minutes and 40 seconds later they were in the endzone on a 5 yard run. After a Rockford punt on the next possession, the Cougars put together a 6 play, 70 yard drive capped off by a 17 yard TD pass. Rockford was able to close the gap with a 34 yard field goal in the final seconds of the first quarter to make the game within reach at 14-3. However, the Cougars were able to string together three straight touchdown drives in the second quarter to head into half time with a 34-3 lead.
The Cougars would add 2 more touchdowns in the third before Rockford would respond with a 10 yard touchdown pass from sophomore quarterback Jacob Gorsuch (Rockford, Ill./Jefferson) to freshmen wideout Jay Gafford (Dallas, Tex./Fork Union Military Academy). The Regents set up the touchdown pass by executing a fake punt with a 17 yard rush on 4th & 10 by junior Gene Grey (Pago Pago, American Samoa/Tafuna). The Regents were able to grind out 244 yards rushing including 109 yards by junior running back Matthew Botello (Whittier, Calif./Poineer). It was the second straight game going over 100 yards rushing for Botello, who currently leads the Northern Athletics Conference with 104.5 rushing yards per game.
The Regents defense was led by senior saftey Andrew Hildebrand (Belvidere, Ill. / North). Hildebrand finished with a team high 8 tackles. The Regents recorded interceptions by senior cornerback Jeremiah Montgomery (Chicago, Ill. / Morgan Park) and junior saftey Nick Lloyd (Rosamond, Calif. / Rosamond) but were unable to convert the turnovers into points.
The Regents will continue conference play with a trip to Sheboygan, Wis. on October 6th at 1 p.m. to face Lakeland College.
