ROCKFORD, Ill. - The Rockford University football team was beaten 52-14 at the hands of St. Norbert College on Saturday afternoon. It was a first half nightmare for Rockford, giving up 45 of the eventual 52 points once the first two quarters had concluded. St. Norbert was able to power through the Regents defense on the ground, gaining 285 yards on 41 rushing attempts, and adding 210 yards passing on only nine completions.
Emani Johnson made his contributions in the receiving category however, catching a team-high seven passes for 92 yards and a touchdown.
- It was a slow start for both sides, SNC with a pair of three-and-outs and the Regents dealing with a punt and interception of their own.
- The Green Knights got the ball following the Rockford punt at the nine-minute mark of the first quarter. St. Norbert charged from the Rockford 42 all the way to the end zone with a 2 play, 33 second drive that put up the first points of the contest at 7-0.
- The Regents responded quickly to St. Norbert's successful drive, starting off the drive with a 68 yard pass from Jaelen Ray to Da'Quan McIntosh to set up a very fast first and goal for RU. Ray capped off the drive by diving into the end zone from four yards out to tie the game at 7-7.
- The flood gates opened right after this score unfortunately, the Green Knights taking back-to-back drives across the goal line to put themselves up by two scores before the end of the first quarter.
- Rockford punted to start the second quarter, and SNC ran up the score for a majority of the period, scoring touchdowns on the next three straight drives, and taking a monster 42-7 lead.
- After the third score, the Regents had a response. Ray completed two consecutive passes, hooking up with Joey Owens for 25 yards and then scoring a passing touchdown by hitting Emani Johnson for 36 yards to put the game at 42-14.
- St. Norbert marched back down the field on the next possession and looked like they were going to score again, but the Rockford defense forced a fourth down and the Green Knights settled for a field goal, making the score 45-14 heading into halftime.
- SNC scored one more time in the second half, but the Regents were shutout for the remainder of the afternoon. The Green Knights ran the clock out and gave the ball back with little time left, sealing the win and handing Rockford its 8th loss of the season with a final score of 52-14.
- Jaelen Ray completed 29 passes for 340 yards and a touchdown. He also ran the ball in for a score.
- Emani Johnson caught a team-high 7 passes for 92 yards and a touchdown.
- Da'Quan McIntosh caught 3 passes for a team0high 105 yards, including a 68-yard reception.
- Garrick McGregor led the team in tackles with 10, including 6 solo tackles.
- Will Havens had 6 total tackles, including a tackle for loss.
