OLIVET, Mich. - The Regents football teamed hoped to duplicate last season's success against Olivet College on Saturday afternoon. Rockford defeated the Comets 28-12 a season ago to help the Northern Athletics Conference win the inaugural NAC-MIAA challenge. However, this year it would be the Comets turn to help the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association win the challenge as they defeated the Regents 34-7.
The game was actually much closer than what the final score might indicate. Both defenses were in control through most of the first three quarters with neither offense able to get much going. The game began with 11 straight punts before Olivet broke the scoreless tie late in the second quarter to take a 7-0 lead. The game would remain 7-0 until the Comets connected on an 80-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter extending their lead to 14-0. Two possessions later, Olivet would essentially seal the game with a 5-yard touchdown run to go up 21-0 in the fourth quarter. The Regents only touchdown came with just under two minutes left in the game when senior quarterback Aabed Nekrawesh (Fremont, Calif./Fremont) ran it in from eight yards out.
Offensively it was a tough day for the Regents. Nekrawesh finished the game as the team's leading rusher carrying the ball 8 times for 59 yards. Senior Delroy Russell Jr. (Richmond, Calif./Albany) had a team-high 7 receptions for 74 yards.
It has been a difficult start to the season for Rockford defensively giving up over 30 points in each of its first three games. However, the Regents have had different players step up in each of those games. This Saturday it was sophomore Reginald Haynes (Chicago, Ill./Prosser Career Academy) who led the team with 10 tackles. Senior Jinks Arnold (Romeoville, Ill./Plainfield North) recorded 5 tackles and a sack. Junior Seth Swinehart (Rockford, Ill./East) also had 5 tackles and a sack along with recovering a fumble.
The Regents have their bye week this Saturday before opening Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference play on October 5th on the road against defending champions Concordia University Chicago.
