ROCKFORD, Ill.- The Rockford University football team took Sam Greeley field Saturday afternoon to face the Trine University Thunder. It was homecoming for Rockford so the game was a little more special than a normal non-conference game. Rockford and Trine played a tough and back-and-forth game, but the Regents hurt themselves numerous times with penalties. The Thunder got out to a 14-0 lead in the second quarter and the Regents could not muster enough offense to comeback. A late fourth quarter touchdown gave Trine the 27-7 victory.
Trine began the game with the ball and quickly drove down the field. On third down Trine's quarterback scrambled towards the end zone but Seth Swinehart (Rockford, Ill./East) chased him down from behind to force a fourth down. The Thunder attempted a field goal which was pushed wide left. That was the closest either team would get to scoring in the first quarter and each team would either punt or turn the ball over on downs the rest of the quarter. The second quarter was a different story.
Rockford's defense was tight and sound for most of the game, but Trine was able to break a couple of long touchdowns. The first of which occurred with just under 11 minutes to go in the second quarter on a long passing touchdown. The Regents offense continued to struggle and each team swapped punts on the next three possessions. The Thunder were then able to put together an 80 yard drive that ended with a short touchdown pass with a few seconds left in the first half.
The second half continued the back-and-forth game that was the first half. The Regents began with the ball and traded punts with Trine on the first three possessions of the second half. Trine was able to put together a quick 46 yard drive that ended with a rushing touchdown to go up 21-0. The game looked out of reach for Rockford at this point but a couple of plays in the next few minutes of the game gave Rockford new life. Rockford quickly answered with a five play 63 yard drive that ended with a beautiful pass and over-the-head catch by Milton Phillips Jr. (Rockford, Ill./Guilford) for a 44 yard touchdown.
Two Trine offensive plays later a game-changing moment happened when linebacker Michael Krieter (Rockford, Ill./Boylan) intercepted the ball and returned it for a touchdown to bring the Regents within eight points. Unfortunately, the Regents were called for an illegal block at the five yard line which called back the touchdown and had Rockford start with the ball from Trine's 15 yard line. The drive ended with a lost fumble on fourth down and the play highlighted the struggles the Regents faced Saturday afternoon. Rockford was called for 11 penalties that were accepted for a total loss of 133 yards, compared to 4 and 44 for the Thunder.
Trine was forced to punt on its next possession and so was Rockford. But on Rockford's punt Trine muffed the punt and Joey Jefferson (Carksdale, Miss./Carksdale) recovered the ball for another Regents turnover. Rockford got two first downs on the ensuing drive but Trine then barred down and forced a turnover on downs. Once again Rockford's defense made a play to give the Regents offensive a chance. It was again Krieter intercepting Trine's quarterback, this time at Trine's 34 yard line. But Rockford could not take advantage of the great field position and the momentum swing and turned the ball over on downs.
Rockford's defense continued to play well and forced a punt after the turnover on downs. But the Regents offensive gave the ball back on an interception on the following possesion. After again forcing a punt Rockford again turned the ball over on an interception. Trine then punched in a touchdown with 1:08 left in the game to seal the 27-7 victory.
Despite the 20 point victory the game was not in hand until the final minutes of the game. Rockford finished with 114 rushing yards and 159 passing yards. Dane Kirk (Rochelle, Ill./Rochelle Township) led the Regents with eight catches and 73 yards, including a couple of diving catches to extend some Regents drives. Defensive tackle Tremaine Berry (Ocala, Fla./Vanguard) led Rockford with 27 rushing yards after he raced around the right edge on a fake punt on fourth down in the third quarter. Six different Rockford players had at least ten rushing yards or more.
On the defensive side of the ball the star of the game was Krieter, who had two interceptions along with six tackles. Linebackers Kendell Lee (Poplarville, Miss./Poplarville) and Swinehart led Rockford with ten and nine tackles, respectfully. Lee also forced a fumble and three of his tackles went for a loss. Freshman Chase Cregeen (Belvidere, Ill./North) recorded the lone sack for Rockford.
Rockford has a bye this following week. The Regents then return home for a 1:00 p.m. game against Aurora University on October 4th to open the conference part of their schedule.
