GREENVILLE, Ill. - The Rockford University football team fell 40-30 at Greenville University on Saturday afternoon. Rockford's offense was held in check for three quarters, before finally solving the Panther defense over the final 15 minutes. The Regents found themselves down 31-7 heading into the fourth, but Rockford would outscore Greenville 23-9 in the final period. However, it was not enough, as the Panthers picked up their second straight win in as many years over the Regents. It wasn't all bad news for Rockford though, as quarterback
Jaelen Ray continued his assault on the Regent record book. Ray broke two more RU career passing records on Saturday, passing yards (4,582) and passing attempts (608). He now holds all of Rockford's career passing records except for passing touchdowns.
- The game's first scoring drive came late in the first quarter when the Panthers took over first and ten on their own 38-yard line. Greenville proceed to go 62 yards on 6 plays, capped off by a 24-yard touchdown run by Adrian Hinton to take a 7-0 lead.
- The score remained unchanged until midway through the second quarter when the Regents tied the game. Rockford went 78 yards on 9 plays and scored on a 2-yard touchdown run by Jack Carey. Kaden Finnestad then knocked through the point after to knot the game at 7-7.
- Unfortunately, it took the Panthers just two plays to retake the lead. Following a good kickoff return and a defensive penalty, Adrian Hinton scampered 36 yards for his second rushing touchdown of the half. Greenville converted the extra point to take a 14-7 advantage into the half.
- The Panthers would seize control of the game in the third quarter. Greenville scored all 17 points in the quarter and jumped out to a commanding 31-7 lead.
- Fortunately, Rockford was finally able to find its rhythm offensively in the fourth quarter. Rockford scored less than a minute into the period on 12-yard touchdown pass from Jaelen Ray to Jamon Carter-Grady, making it a 31-14 game.
- However, Greenville answered right back with a 40-yard touchdown run by Paul Garrett on its very next play from scrimmage and extended its lead to 37-14.
- The back and forth nature of the game continued with the Regents responding with their second touchdown of the quarter on the ensuing possession. Rockford put together an impressive 15-play drive that spanned 77 yards and was capped off with a 13-yard touchdown pass from Jaelen Ray to Kaden Hunter. Carl Jones then ran the ball in for the 2-point conversion and got the Regents back to within two scores at 37-22.
- Unfortunately, the Panthers essentially salted the game away on their very next possession. They chewed up 4:23 before Lucas Hermo connected on a 32-yard field goal to put Greenville out in front 40-22.
- Rockford added one final score on a Jaelen Ray 20-yard touchdown pass to Emani Johnson with less than a minute left, but it was not enough, as Greenville prevailed 40-30.
The RU football team is back on the road next Saturday, September 17 at Eureka College. Kickoff is set for 1 PM.
