MILWAUKEE, Wis. - The Rockford University football team dropped its fourth straight game on Saturday 34-21 at Wisconsin Lutheran College. The Regents and Warriors finished the game with nearly identical statistics; however, Wisconsin Lutheran used a 17-point second quarter coupled with a few big plays to pull out the win.
Wisconsin Lutheran broke the scoreless tie on its second possession of the game. The Warriors capitalized off a Rockford interception and used a short field to go 26 yards on 5 plays to grab a quick 7-0 lead.
Two possessions later, the Rockford offense tied the game at 7-7 with an 8-play, 80-yard touchdown drive. There were two key plays on the Regents' scoring drive, one through the air and the other coming on the ground. The first of those came when quarterback Adam O'Malley (Elk Grove, Ill.) connected with Mar Sean Vercher (Chicago, Ill.) for 54 yards giving the Regents a first and goal situation from the 5-yard line. The Wisconsin Lutheran defense made it difficult on the Rockford offense as it turned away the Regents on their next three plays forcing a fourth and goal from the 1-yard line. Senior Tremaine Berry (Ocala, Fla.) would then finish off the drive with a 1-yard touchdown run as Rockford tied the game.
Unfortunately, Wisconsin Lutheran answered with 10 straight points to take a 17-7 lead. The Warriors scored on their very next possession driving 63 yards on 7 plays capped off by a 5-yard touchdown run. Two possessions later, Wisconsin Lutheran took advantage of yet another short field as it moved the ball just 17 yards but was able to kick a 20 yard field goal to grab a 10 point advantage.
The duo of O'Malley and Vercher helped Rockford respond on its very next possession as the Regents found the end zone for the second time. Vercher caught passes of 36 and 23 yards as Rockford moved the ball down the field and entered the red zone. On third and four from the five yard line it was once again Vercher who made the big play catching a four-yard touchdown pass to pull the Regents back within three points.
However, the Warriors would once again answer Rockford's touchdown with one of their own. With less than 10 seconds remaining in the half and facing a fourth and goal from the Rockford four yard line, Wisconsin Lutheran threw its second touchdown of the half and took a 24-14 lead into halftime.
Wisconsin Lutheran then extended its lead to as many as twenty points in the second half leading 34-14. The Warriors connected on a 79-yard touchdown pass late in the third quarter and kicked a 26-yard field goal following a Rockford turnover on downs.
The Rockford offense would cut into the deficit with one final touchdown late in the fourth quarter. It was once again the combination of O'Malley to Vercher that led Rockford into the end zone. Rockford moved the ball 67 yards, 46 of which came through the air to Vercher including his second touchdown reception of the day. However, it was not enough as the Regents came up short falling 34-21.
Sophomore wide receiver Mar Sean Vercher had a career game for the Regents on Saturday. Vercher caught 7 passes for a career-high 169 yards and 2 touchdowns. The sophomore is currently in the top five in the NACC in receiving yards (452), yards per catch (16.7) and receiving touchdowns (5).
The other two top performers on offense were quarterback Adam O'Malley and running back Pete Berry (Ocala, Fla.). O'Malley completed 10 passes for 190 yards and 2 touchdowns. He also carried the ball 12 times for 39 yards. Pete Berry was the leading rusher for Rockford with 20 attempts for 70 yards.
Defensively, the Regents were able to force a pair of turnovers and record two sacks. Freshman Jared Johnson (Miami, Fla.) had an outstanding game for the Regents. Johnson tallied 6 tackles, including 1.5 sacks and also recovered a fumble. Senior Tremaine Berry was credited with the other half a sack and also made 5 tackles. Freshman defensive back Jose Robles (Round Lake, Ill.) tallied four tackles and recorded his first collegiate interception. Sophomore Jon Porter (Rockford, Ill.) also played very well as he led Rockford and tied his career-high with 10 tackles.
The RU football team returns to the field next Saturday, October 24 at home against Concordia University Wisconsin. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. at Sam Greeley Field.
