ROCKFORD, Ill. - The Rockford University football team dropped yet another low-scoring defensive struggle this time to the first place Benedictine University Eagles. Saturday's game had all the makings of a defensive battle as the weather conditions were brutal and both the Regents and Eagles entered the game as the top two defenses in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference in both scoring and total defense. The teams combined for just 358 yards of total offense and just two pass completions. With points at premium, the difference in the game was the Eagles ability to convert on third down, sustain drives and take capitalize on their scoring opportunities. 

The first score of the day came less than two minutes into the game after the Regents muffed the snap on a punt giving the Eagles excellent starting field position. One play later, the Benedictine offense found the end zone with an 11-yard touchdown run to take a 7-0 lead. 

The lead did not last long as Rockford answered right back on its very next possession. Facing a second and seven from their own 43-yard line, the Regents handed the ball to senior Tremaine Berry (Ocala, Fla.) who bounced to the outside and ran 57 yards for a touchdown. Kicker Brandon Moody (Taylorville, Ill.) connected on the extra point to tie the game at 7-7. 

Less than five minutes later the Regents were back in the red zone thanks to a Benedictine miscue in the punting game. Rockford defensive end Jared Johnson (Miami, Fla.) pounced on an Eagle fumble when the punter mishandled the snap giving Rockford a first and ten on the Benedictine 25-yard line. Although the Regents were able to move the ball and pick up one first down, Rockford was unable to come away with any points as it turned the ball over on downs. 

Benedictine would then retake the lead midway through the second quarter. The Eagles used a 14-play drive that covered 66 yards and lasted for nearly 8 minutes to find the end zone for the second time in the half. However, Benedictine would miss the extra point when the kicker slipped and pulled the attempt wide left making it a 13-7 game. 

Following a Rockford punt, it looked as though the Eagles were going to extend their lead as Benedictine entered the red zone for the third time in the game. However, the Regents special teams made their second big play of the afternoon when Michael Krieter (Rockford, Ill.) blocked a 27-yard field goal attempt ending the threat and keeping it just a 13-7 game at halftime. 

The third quarter began with multiple punts from both teams before the Regents had the first real scoring opportunity of the second half. The Regents started their third possession of the half with the ball on the Benedictine 26-yard but were unable to pick up a first down giving the ball right back to the Eagles. 

The Regents defense continued to hold strong forcing yet another Benedictine miscue two possessions later. It was once again Jared Johnson who pounced on an Eagle fumble after the Benedictine quarterback ran into his own offensive lineman jarring the ball loose.

Unfortunately just two plays later, the Regents fumbled the ball back to the Eagles giving them another short field. Benedictine took advantage with a 6-play, 21-yard touchdown drive to take a 20-7 lead late in the fourth quarter and seal the win.

Defensively the Regents had multiple players record career-best performances. Junior linebacker Michael Watson (Schaumburg, Ill.) led the team and tallied a career-high 17 tackles. Fellow linebacker Michael Krieter also had a career-high in tackles with 15 along with blocking a kick. Defensive back Dominique Campbell (Waterloo, Iowa) had a career-high 9 tackles while linebacker Benjamin LeRoy III (Pacoima, Calif.) tied his career-high with 9 tackles including one tackle for loss and one pass breakup. Defensive lineman Jared Johnson also tied his career-high with 6 tackles as well as recovering two fumbles. 

The RU football team returns to action next Saturday, November 3 at Lakeland College. Kickoff is set for noon.