ROCKFORD, Ill.- Saturday afternoon marked the NACC's conference opening weekend. The Aurora University Spartans visited the Rockford University Regents for a conference showdown. Like all of the Regents game thus far, it would be a battle that would not be decided until late in the game. It was a cold, windy, and wet game and Rockford responded by using the ground game to rush for a season high 181 yards. But it would not be enough to overcome some crucial mistakes and the Regents fell 20-7 to the Spartans.
Rain and wind played a factor in the first quarter as it was all defense for each team. Neither offense could pick up a first down on its first possession of the game. The Spartans were able to drive to the Rockford 25 on their next possession but the Regents stopped them there and forced a turnover on downs.
With the rain stopped after the first quarter the offenses started to move the ball. Seven seconds into the second quarter Aurora passed for a 23-yard touchdown. They attempted a two-point conversion but failed. A couple of possessions later Rockford drove to Aurora's two-yard line, thanks in part to a 32-yard run by Kendrick Cooley (Bloomington, Ill./Bloomington). But Rockford fumbled just before the goal line and Aurora recovered the ball.
The two teams traded possessions without much movement until there was just over a minute left in the half. Attempting to get a drive going to get on the scoreboard to end the half, Rockford instead threw its second interception of the quarter, and third turnover, inside its own 30 yard line. The Spartans quickly found an open receiver for a seven-yard touchdown pass. Their extra point attempt would be blown wide left by the wind to leave the score 12-0 Aurora going into halftime.
Rockford received the ball to start the second half but a holding penalty on the first play stalled its opening drive. The Regents pinned the Spartans back on their own six yard line but an 81-yard run a couple of plays later negated the poor field position for Aurora. On fourth-and-four of the drive Benjamin LeRoy III (Pacoima, Calf./Canyon) intercepted Aurora in the end zone. But a Regent penalty on the ball resulted in the turnover being overturned and Aurora receiving a first down. Two plays later the Spartans punched the ball into the end zone and converted a two-point conversion to go ahead 20-0.
Led by Pete Berry (Ocala, Fla./Vanguard), who would finish with 81 yards through the first three quarters, the Regents then drove down to Aurora's nine yard line for a first-and-goal. A sack on first down hurt the Regents and they would be unable to get past the Spartan's 16 yard line. Rockford's defense held strong and forced a punt. Rockford once again rode Berry and this time he was able to find the end zone to complete an eight play 86-yard touchdown drive.
Berry's touchdown and a good extra point put Rockford within two scores of Aurora at 20-7. Rockford would have the ball three more times the rest of the fourth quarter but could not find the end zone again. Aurora would come away with the 20-7 win.
Berry finished with 117 yards on 20 carries for a 5.8 yard per carry average. It was Berry's first 100-yard rushing game of his Regent career and also the first time one Regent ran for 100 or more yards in a game this season. Rockford finished as a team with 181 rushing yards on 41 carries for a 4.4 rush per carry average.
Milton Phillips Jr. (Rockford, Ill./Guilford) led the Regents with 53 receiving yards on two catches. Dane Kirk (Rochelle, Ill./Rochelle Township) had three catches for 32 yards. Cooley finished with 37 rushing yards on two carries and he also had a 48-yard kick-off return.
On the defensive side of the ball Michael Krieter (Rockford, Ill./Boylan) and Seth Swinehart (Rockford, Ill./East) tied for the team lead in tackles with ten apiece. Swinehart also combined with Cody Casazza (Rockford, Ill./Jefferson) on a sack along with recording 1.5 tackles for a loss and one pass breakup. Tremaine Berry (Ocala, Fla./Vanguard) record four tackles and Rockford's other sack.
Rockford is on the road next week to take on Hope with a 12:00 p.m. game start. The following week Rockford is back at home to continue conference play against Lakeland at 1:00 p.m.
