SHEBOYGAN, Wis. - The Rockford University football team fell 31-6 on Saturday to the Lakeland College Muskies. With the win the Muskies improve to 7-2 on the season including a perfect 5-0 record in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference while the Regents fall to 2-7 and 0-5 in the NACC.
The game was much closer than the final score might indicate as Rockford once again had multiple scoring opportunities but were simply unable to cash in. The Regents had their first chance to get on the scoreboard late in the opening quarter. Following a good defensive stand and a poor punt, Rockford took possession of the ball inside the Lakeland 40-yard line, but were unable to pick up a first down and turned the ball over on downs. Rockford's other scoring opportunity came right before halftime when the Regents put together their best drive of the half. Sophomore wide receiver Mar Sean Vercher (Chicago, Ill.) got his team into the red zone with a 37-yard reception giving Rockford a first and 10 from the Lakeland 12-yard line. Unfortunately, the drive stalled as Rockford once again turned the ball over on downs and entered halftime trailing 15-0.
The second half got off to a great start as Rockford forced a turnover in the opening moments and found themselves with back-to-back possessions inside the Lakeland 10-yard line. Junior linebacker Michael Watson (Schaumburg, Ill.) forced a fumble on the Muskies' first offensive play of the second half, while freshman defensive back Jose Robles (Round Lake, Ill.) scooped the ball up and ran 16 yards to give Rockford the ball on the Lakeland 27-yard line. Running back Chance Manning (Durand, Ill.) carried the ball on four of the next five plays picking up 25 yards and giving his team a first and goal from the two yard line. Unfortunately, Rockford fumbled into the end zone on the very next play and the Muskies took over on their own 20-yard line. The Regent defense however was up to the challenge as it forced a three-and-out to get the ball back for its offense with excellent field position. Rockford again used the running game to move the ball down the field and get back inside the Lakeland 10-yard line. Unfortunately, Rockford would come up empty turning the ball over on downs for the third time.
The Rockford offense finally got on the scoreboard with its first possession of the fourth quarter. The drive was set-up by an outstanding defense play by junior defensive back Dominique Campbell (Waterloo, Iowa). Campbell stripped the ball at the line of scrimmage, then picked it up and ran 38 yards down to the Lakeland 20-yard line. Two plays later Chance Manning found the end zone on a 17-yard touchdown run making it just an 18-6 game. However, Rockford was unable to get any closer as the Muskies scored on two of their final three possessions en route to a 31-6 win.
Offensively it was another difficult day for the Regents as they finished with only 173 yards of total offense. Chance Manning was the leading rusher with 59 yards on 14 carries with one touchdown. Mar Sean Vercher led the Rockford passing attack with 7 receptions for 92 yards.
Defensively it was Dominique Campbell who had a career day for Rockford. Campbell had a career-high 10 tackles and forced and recovered a fumble.
Michael Watson and Tremaine Berry (Ocala, Fla.) also played well in the loss. Watson tallied 9 tackles including 1.5 tackles for loss and forced a fumble. Tremaine Berry finished with 7 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 2 sacks and blocked an extra point.
The RU football team will conclude its season next Saturday, November 14 at home against Concordia University Chicago. Kickoff is set for noon at Sam Greeley Field.
