WAUWATOSA, Wis. - The Rockford University football team fell 52-35 on the road Saturday night to the Wisconsin Lutheran College Warriors. The Regents jumped out to a quick 14-0 lead less than 3 minutes into the game, thanks in part to a pair of fumbles by WLC. However, the Warriors would outscore the Regents 35-6 the remainder of the half and take the lead into the break. Rockford was able to make it a one-possession game on several occasions in the second half, but unfortunately, each time Wisconsin Lutheran answered with a score of its own en route to the win. Both teams put on an offensive showcase throughout the evening. The Regents and Warriors combined for 54 first downs, 1,048 yards of total offense, averaged 7.2 yards per play and were 9-for-10 on red zone scoring chances. The 87 total points were also the most combined points scored thus far for either team in a single-game this season.
- Rockford jumped out to an early 14-0 lead less than 3 minutes into the game.
- Rockford's William Key forced a fumble on the opening kickoff, setting up the Regents with excellent field position to begin the game.
- The Regents needed just 5 plays to cover the 42 yards, including a 16-yard touchdown pass from Jaelen Ray to Maurice Williams.
- The RU defense then forced a turnover on their first play of the game. Curtis Hosea stripped the ball from Justin Parbs, and Rockford's Mykal Brown recovered the fumble to once again set up the RU offense with a short field.
- On Rockford's second play following the turnover, Jaelen Ray tossed his second touchdown pass in as many attempts, this one a 24-yard strike to Titus Cannon. Ray then ran in the 2-point attempt to make it a 14-0 game.
- Unfortunately, the Warriors scored 28 unanswered points over their next four possessions to take a 28-14 lead with 6:35 left in the first half.
- The Regents were able to answer with a 9-play, 72-yard drive that was capped off by a 1-yard touchdown pass from Jaelen Ray to Jack Carey. The point after was once again blocked, making it a 28-20 game.
- WLC answered right back with its fifth straight touchdown drive to take a 35-20 advantage into the half.
- After neither team was able to do much of anything with their opening drive of the second half, Rockford went on a 13-play scoring drive to get back within seven points.
- Quarterback Jaelen Ray was a perfect 11-11 for 44 yards on the drive, including a 3-yard touchdown pass to Jack Carey. Ray would subsequently run in the 2-point conversion to make it a 35-28 game.
- Wisconsin Lutheran again scored on its very next possession to extend the Warriors' lead back to 14 points heading into the fourth quarter.
- However, Rockford would not go down without a fight. The Regents strung together another impressive 12-play scoring drive to get back within a single score.
- The Regents marched 75 yards on 12 plays, capped off by Jaelen Ray's fifth passing touchdown of the game, this one a 2-yard toss to Jamon Carter-Grady. Kaden Finnestad's point after was good, making it a 42-35 game early in the fourth quarter.
- Unfortunately, the Warriors essentially put the game away with a short field goal on the ensuing drive. Wisconsin Lutheran chewed up just over four minutes off the clock and knocked through a 23-yard field goal to extend its lead to 45-35 with only 8:22 left.
- It looked as though Rockford may cut into the Wisconsin Lutheran lead and make things interesting, but the Regents fumbled the ball inside the red zone, giving it right back to Warriors.
- WLC then proceeded to go 92 yards for its seventh touchdown of the night to seal the 52-35 victory.
- Jaelen Ray went 45-59 for 375 yards and 5 touchdowns. Ray's 45 completions sets a school record, and his 59 attempts ties his own school record. His five passing touchdowns gives him 53 for his career, which also ties the RU record.
- Jack Carey ran the ball 14 times for 71 yards and also caught 8 passes for 22 yards and 2 touchdowns.
- Titus Cannon caught a career-high 12 passes for a career-best 103 yards and 1 touchdown.
- Garrick McGregor led the Regents with 8 tackles, including 1 tackle for loss.
