ROCKFORD, Ill. - The Rockford University football team capped off the 2015 season with an impressive 26-7 win over the Concordia University Chicago Cougars. Rockford dominated for much of the afternoon as the Regents never trailed and held the ball for 40:23 compared to just 19:37 for the Cougars. The overwhelming time of possession advantaged allowed Rockford to pile up 351 yards rushing and outgain Concordia Chicago 435-325.
The Regents wasted little time finding the end zone as Rockford scored on its opening possession of the game. It took Rockford just four plays to cover 43 yards and take a quick 6-0 lead. Senior Tremaine Berry (Ocala, Fla.) capped off the drive with a 13-yard touchdown run. Sophomore Austin Redeker (Chester, Ill.) converted the extra point to put Rockford out in front 7-0.
The score remained 7-0 until the third quarter when the Cougars scored their only touchdown of the day. Just as Rockford did in the opening half, Concordia Chicago scored on their first possession of the second half when the Cougars connected on a 61-yard touchdown pass to tie the game at 7-7.
The game would not stay tied for long as Rockford answered with a touchdown of its own less than four minutes later. Sophomore kick returner Joe Breeden (Burlington, Ill.) returned the ensuing kickoff 36 yards to give the Regents excellent starting field position at their own 48 yard line. However, the biggest play on the drive came on fourth and two when Tremaine Berry ran for 28 yards on fake punt to keep the drive alive. Two plays later, quarterback Adam O'Malley (Elk Grove, Ill.) scampered 8-yards into the end zone as Rockford retook the lead 13-7.
Rockford then put the game away midway through the fourth quarter when the Regents scored a pair of touchdowns in less than five minutes. The first came on a 14-play, 68-yard drive that spanned 7 minutes and 34 seconds. The Regents converted on two fourth downs including 29-yard touchdown pass to Mar Sean Vercher (Chicago, Ill.) on fourth and sixteen. Rockford's final touchdown of the game came on its very next possession when freshman running back Chance Manning (Durand, Ill.) went 54 yards down the sideline and into the end zone giving Rockford a 26-7 win.
Offensively the Regents were carried by a ground game that amassed 351 yards on 59 attempts for an average of 5.9 yards per carry. The Rockford backfield was led by freshman Chance Manning who carried the ball 30 times for 178 yards and one touchdown. Senior Tremaine Berry also ran well rushing 8 times for 90 yards and one score. Adam O'Malley scored Rockford's other rushing touchdown while carrying the ball 10 times for 54 yards.
Defensively it was another outstanding day for the Regents. Rockford allowed just 7 points while recovering a pair of fumbles and forcing four turnovers on downs. Michael Watson (Schaumburg, Ill.) led the defense and recorded a game-high 14 tackles. Watson finished the season with 96 tackles placing him second in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference. Linebacker Josh Nelson (Ladd, Ill.) had his best game as a Regent finishing with a career-high 11 tackles and one pass breakup. Junior Dominique Campbell (Waterloo, Iowa) continued his stellar play recording 7 tackles including one tackle for loss along with forcing and recovering a fumble.
As a whole the Rockford defense had one if its best seasons in recent memory. The Regents finished the regular leading the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference in yards allowed (310.1 ypg), pass defense (175.7 ypg) and fumble recoveries (15). Rockford was also second in the NACC in scoring defense (22.9 ppg) and rushing defense (134.4 ypg).
The Regents concluded the 2015 season with an overall record of 3-7 including a 1-5 record in the NACC to finish in sixth place. Rockford's three wins is the most the Regents have had in a single season since the formation of the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference in 2008.
