ALMA, Mich. - The Rockford University football team dropped its first game of the 2015 season on Saturday 42-21 on the road against the Alma College Scots. The Regents got off to a very slow start following behind 21-0 at the end of the first quarter. However, Rockford was able to cut the Alma lead down to just two scores on several different occasions, but was never able to get the deficit back down to single-digits.
After a tough start to the game, freshman quarterback Adam O'Malley (Elk Grove, Ill.) got the Regents on the board when he scored his first touchdown of the day midway through the second quarter. O'Malley capped off a six-play, 74-yard drive with a two-yard touchdown run making it a 21-7 game. Unfortunately the Scots answered on the very next drive with a score of their own to take a 28-7 lead into halftime.
The Regents played much better in the second half as they did not allow a first down in the third quarter. After forcing a punt to open the half, Rockford drove 39 yards on 7 plays capped off by a one-yard Tre Hatchett (Springfield, Ill.) touchdown run to pull the Regents back within 14 points. However, the Alma defense pushed the lead back to 21 when it forced a fumble and returned it 10 yards for a touchdown. O'Malley scored Rockford's final touchdown of the evening early in the fourth quarter when he connected with Mar Sean Vercher (Chicago, Ill.) for a 10-yard score making it a 35-21 Alma lead. Once again the Scots would score on their very next possession to seal the 42-21 victory.
Defensively the Regents had some good individual performances. Michael Krieter (Rockford, Ill.) tallied a team-high 11 tackles and blocked a kick. Tremaine Berry (Ocala, Fla.) had six tackles and recorded his second sack of the season. Defensive backs Reggie Haynes (Chicago, Ill.) and Dillon Garry (Sherwood Park, Canada) each recorded a season-high 8 tackles in the loss.
Offensively Adam O'Malley completed 9-of-19 pass attempts for 135 yards and 1 touchdown. He also ran the ball 21 times for 28 yards and one score.
Joe Breeden (Burlington, Ill.) and Chance Manning (Durand, Ill.) led Rockford in receiving and rushing yards. Breeden caught 3 passes for 95 yards while Manning carried the ball 19 times for 61 yards.
The Rockford University football team will have its bye next week before opening NACC play on Saturday, October 3 at Aurora University. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. against the Spartans.
