WATERTOWN, Wis. - The Rockford University football team took control in the final three quarters of Saturday's game against Maranatha Baptist Bible College to post its first win of the season. The Regents outscored the Crusaders 20-0 over the final 45 minutes to cruise to a 34-13 victory.
The game opened with a highly competitive first quarter with the Regents and Crusaders each scoring a pair of touchdowns. The Regents struck first on a 4-play 37-yard drive capped off with a 25-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Aabed Nekrawesh (Fremont, Calif./Fremont) to fellow senior Delroy Russell Jr. (Richmond, Calif./Albany). Rockford made it 14-0 on its very next possession when Andrew Stochl (Fox Lake, Ill./Marian Central Catholic) found Preseason All-American tight end Dane Kirk (Rochelle, Ill./Rochelle) for a 62-yard touchdown reception. The Crusaders got themselves back into the game scoring on their final two possessions of the first quarter to cut Rockford's lead to a single point at 14-13.
The final three quarters belonged to the Regents as they shutout the Crusaders and found the end on three occasions. The first touchdown once again came through the air as Nekrawesh found senior Anastacio Zamba (Berkeley, Calif./Berkeley) on a 29-yard touchdown pass extending Rockford's lead to 21-13. Following a scoreless third quarter, Rockford turned to their ground game and junior Seth Swinehart (Rockford, Ill./East) close out the game. Swinehart scored Rockford's final two touchdowns on runs of seven and ten yards to seal the 34-13 win.
Saturday's game was once again a step in the right direction for the Regents as they continue to make great strides on the defensive side of the ball. Rockford surrendered a season-low 13 points and tied the school record with 7 sacks. The team also combined to make 14 tackles for loss and breakup 4 passes. Junior Seth Swinehart spearheaded the defensive charge with a season-high 15 tackles including 2 tackles for loss and a sack. Sophomore Michael Krieter (Rockford, Ill./Boylan) spent nearly the entire afternoon in the Crusader backfield. Krieter led the Regents with 2.5 sacks and 3 tackles for loss. Kendell Lee (Poplarville, Miss./Poplarville) and Gordon Przislicki (Chicago, Ill./St. Laurence) had identical totals against Maranatha. Each recorded 7 tackles, with 0.5 a sack and 1.5 tackles for loss. Junior Sam Cady (Erie, Ill./Erie) also had a fine game for the Regents defense. Cady had 5 tackles and recorded 1.5 sacks, his first of the season. Junior Cody Jennings (Rockford, Ill./Jefferson) was the final Regent to take down the Maranatha quarterback. Jennings had 4 tackles and one sack.
Rockford returns home on Saturday, November 2nd for a noon game against Concordia University Wisconsin. The Falcons have won four straight games and are currently in first place in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference with an unblemished 3-0 record.
