APPLETON, Wis. - The Rockford University football team was dominant in its season opener against the Lawrence University Vikings. Rockford outgained Lawrence 605-83 including a 438-58 advantage in rushing yards. The Regents scored at least 2 touchdowns in each of the first three quarters while holding the Vikings to just 1 offensive touchdown en route to an easy 52-17 win.
Rockford scored on its first three possessions to grab an early 21-0 lead. The Regents wasted little time getting on the scoreboard as they found the end zone on their second offensive play of the game. Senior running back Pete Berry (Ocala, Fla.) took the handoff and raced 65 yards to the end zone to give Rockford a 7-0 lead. Less than 5 minutes later the Regents once again used the running game to put points on the board. This time it was freshman running back Chance Manning (Durand, Ill.) who scampered 40 yards for the touchdown putting Rockford in front 14-0. Following another Lawrence three-and-out, the Rockford offense took to the air to score its third touchdown of the first quarter. Freshman quarterback Adam O'Malley (Elk Grove, Ill.) connected with Chance Manning on third and 18 for 53 yards and a touchdown.
The Regents kept the pressure on the Vikings scoring a pair of late touchdowns in the second quarter. Following a Lawrence fumble, which was recovered by Benjamin LeRoy III (Pacoima, Calif.), the Regents went 46 yards in just 4 plays for their fourth score of the game. Chance Manning once again capped off the drive this time with a 17-yard touchdown run. After the Rockford defense forced its fourth three-and-out of the half, Manning scored his fourth touchdown of the first half. The freshman scampered 28 yards to the end zone giving Rockford a commanding 35-0 advantage entering the half. In the first half the Regents defense was equally as dominant as the offense. Defensively, Rockford held Lawrence to just 29 yard of total offense while force one Viking turnover.
Rockford picked up in the second half right where it left off in the first half. After recovering the opening kickoff on the Lawrence 27-yard line, the Regents took just one play to punch the ball into the end zone. Quarterback Adam O'Malley carried the ball for a 27-yard touchdown run giving his team a 42-0 lead. Rockford then increased its lead to a game-high 45-0 courtesy of a 25-yard field goal off the foot of Brandon Moody (Taylorville, Ill.).
Lawrence finally broke through on their next two possessions scoring 14 points and ending the shutout. Their first score came when the Vikings ran the following kickoff back 81 yards for a touchdown. The Vikings then capitalized off a Regent fumble and went just 16 yards for their second touchdown of the quarter.
Rockford's final score of the game came on its very next possession. The Regents went 65 yards on 10 plays capped off with a 14-yard touchdown run by freshman Tre Hatchett (Springfield, Ill.).
Offensively Rockford was extremely impressive. Chance Manning was both the leading rusher and receiver for the Regents. Manning carried the ball 32 times for 211 yards and 3 rushing touchdowns. He also caught 2 passes for 86 yards and 1 touchdown. Quarterback Adam O'Malley completed 7-of-13 passes for 167 yards and 1 touchdown. The Regents 52 points are the most Rockford had scored in a game since the school joined the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference in 2008.
Defensively Rockford stymied the Lawrence offense all afternoon holding them to only 83 yards. The Vikings longest drive of the game covered just 25 yards on 7 plays. Senior Michael Krieter (Rockford, Ill.) and freshman Matt Nelson (Rockford, Ill.) were the leading tacklers with 7 each. Nelson also added 1.5 tackles for loss and 1 sack. Matthew Gallineau (Amherst, N.Y.) also played well recording 5 tackles, 1 tackle for loss and an interception.
The Regents will open the home portion of their schedule next Saturday, September 12 against Ripon College. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at Sam Greeley Field.
