RIVER FOREST, Ill. - The Rockford University football team fell 37-13 on the road Saturday afternoon to the Concordia University Chicago Cougars. Despite what the final score might indicate, the Regent defense played very well, but the RU offense and special teams struggled for much of the day. Rockford threw four interceptions in the game, two of which were returned for touchdowns. The Regents also had a field goal blocked and a botched conversion attempt returned for two points by the Cougars. Statistically speaking, the Regents dominated much of the game. Rockford had far more first downs than Concordia Chicago (27-17), the Regents led in total offense (357-284) and held a slight edge in time of possession (30:07-29:53). However, the most telling stat of the day was Rockford converting on just two of its five trips into the red zone, while Concordia Chicago went a perfect 2-for-2 in the red zone.
- Concordia Chicago jumped out to a quick 14-0 lead early in the first quarter.
- The Cougars first score came on a 45-yard interception return for a touchdown to make it 7-0.
- CUC then marched the ball 78 yards on 6 plays on its ensuing possession, capped off by a 17-yard touchdown pass, to take a 14-0 advantage.
- The score remained unchanged until the Regents found the end zone on their final possession of the first half.
- Rockford needed just 7 plays to cover 55 yards and score its first points of the day. Jack Carey jump-started the offense by picking up 21 yards on a 4th and 7 at midfield, to keep the Regent drive alive. Four plays later, Jaelen Ray hit Emani Johnson for a 6-yard touchdown pass. Kaden Finnestad knocked through the point after to make it a 14-7 game at the half.
- Unfortunately, the third quarter was a mirror image of the first, as CUC outscored Rockford 14-0.
- The Cougars first score of the second half was also an interception returned for a touchdown, this one covering 88 yards and making it a 21-7 Cougar lead.
- CUC then scored a touchdown on its very next possession and took a commanding 28-7 lead with less than 2 minutes remaining in the third quarter.
- Rockford's final score of the game came late in the fourth quarter.
- The Regents went 92 yards on 12 plays for their first points of the second half. The drive was capped off by a 14-yard touchdown pass from Jaelen Ray to Jamon Carter-Grady, making it 28-13. Unfortunately, Rockford botched the conversion attempt and Concordia Chicago returned it for 2 points to extend its lead to 30-13.
- Concordia Chicago would score one more time on the ensuing possession en route to a 37-13 win.
- Jaelen Ray finished 32-57 for 287 yards and 2 touchdowns.
- Titus Cannon caught a career-high 11 passes for 85 yards.
- Emani Johnson had 4 catches for 62 yards and a score.
- Jack Carey ran the ball 24 times for 64 yards and caught a career-high 7 passes for 48 yards.
- Miguel Delvalle Jr. had a career-high 15 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and a sack.
- Curtis Hosea tallied a career-high 10 tackles and a tackle for loss.
- Mykal Brown recovered a fumble, had a pass breakup and intercepted a pass.
