PLYMOUTH, Wis. - The Rockford Univesity football team dropped its final game of the season 35-28 on the road Saturday afternoon at Lakeland University. The Regents trailed 28-7 early in the fourth quarter, but continued to battle and got back to within a single score on two separate occasions over the final 11 minutes of play. Senior running back
Jack Carey was a huge factor for the Regents down the stretch, scoring three touchdowns over the final 13:05, giving him 18 for the season and breaking the school's single-season touchdown record. He also became just the fourth player in school history to rush for 1,000 yards in a season. Unfortunately, Rockford was unable to recover the onside kick in the closing minutes and dropped its sixth straight to the Muskies.
- There was a lot of action in the first quarter of the game. The two teams combined for a pair of touchdowns, an interception, a lost fumble, a blocked field goal and a turnover on downs.
- Lakeland got the scoring started by going 91 yards on 11 plays on the first drive of the game. The Muskies converted on all three of their third downs, including a 29-yard touchdown run by quarterback Robby Michael to take a 7-0 lead.
- It was the Regent defense that would eventually set up its offense for Rockford's first score of the game. Linebacker Joey Alvarez recorded a strip-sack that was recovered by Nasir Lamarre at the Lakeland 14-yard line.
- Two plays later, Jaelen Ray connected with Da'Quan McIntosh for a 14-yard touchdown. Kaden Finnestad knocked through the point after to knot the game at 7-7.
- Lakeland would retake the lead with a touchdown two drives later. The Muskies used 9 plays to cover 43 yards and take a 13-7 advantage. Timothy Bearden blocked the point after, to keep the Muskie lead at just six.
- The two schools combined for only 58 yards over the remainder of the half, as Lakeland took a 13-7 edge into the break.
- Lakeland's next scoring drive came midway through the third quarter. The Muskies needed just 2:39 to cover 93 yards and find the end zone. They then added a two-point conversion to make it a 21-7 game.
- After Rockford's fourth turnover of the day, the Muskies scored their fourth touchdown of the afternoon. Lakeland again went 93 yards, this time on 9 plays, to find the end zone and take a 28-7 advantage.
- Fortunately, the Regents answered with a 6-play, 57-yard touchdown drive of their own. Jack Carey ran the ball 4 times on the drive, including a 6-yard touchdown run on first and goal, to make it 28-14.
- The Regent defense then came up with another huge play on the ensuing possession. Joey Alvarez forced his second fumble of the game, this one was recovered by Felipe Bentes, to give Rockford the ball on the Muskie 29-yard line.
- Rockford needed just two plays to find the end zone, both rushes by Jack Carey, including a 13-yard touchdown scamper to make it a 28-20 game.
- Unfortunately, Lakeland answered on its next drive with a touchdown to once again make it a two-score game at 35-20.
- Following an interception and a punt, Rockford scored its third touchdown in the fourth quarter. The Regents went 74 yards and used just 1:19 off the clock. Jack Carey found the end zone for the third time in the period, this one a 15-yard touchdown reception, to make it 35-26. Jaelen Ray would then find Jack Carey in the end zone for the two-point conversion and tighten the score at 35-28.
- With only a little over a minute left in the game and Rockford having just one timeout, the Regents attempted an onside kick. However, it was unsuccessful and Lakeland held on for the 35-28 win.
- Senior running back Jack Carey capped off a magical season with yet another outstanding performance. Carey ran the ball 32 times for 153 yards and 2 touchdowns. He also caught a pass for 15 yards and another score. He ends the year with 1,099 yards on the ground and 13 rushing touchdowns. Carey also caught 40 passes for 283 yards and 5 touchdowns. He becomes just the fourth player in school history to rush for over 1,000 yards in a single season. Carey broke the RU single-season touchdown record (18), points record (110) and had the second most all-purpose yards in a season (1,439). He also led the NACC in rushing yards, rushing touchdowns, carries, scoring, total touchdowns, points per game, all-purpose yards and all-purpose yards per game.
- Senior quarterback Jaelen Ray went 12-of-29 for 141 yards and 2 touchdowns. He also ran the ball 5 times for 35 yards. Ray ends his career with every single-game, single-season and career Rockford University passing record. In total, Ray now holds 18 school records including the single-game, season and career records for: passing yards, passing attempts, completions, completion percentage, passing touchdowns and total offense. He also ended the regular season leading the NACC in completions, attempts, passing yards and passing yards per game.
- Da'Quan McIntosh caught 4 passes for 46 yards and a touchdown.
- Joey Alvarez had 19 tackles, including 16 solo tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 2 sacks and 2 forced fumbles. He ends the season 137 tackles, which is the second most in a single-season in school history. His 137 tackles led the NACC and is 41 more than the player with the second most in the conference. His four forced fumbles this year is also tied for the most in the NACC.
- Timothy Bearden had 2 tackles, an interception and blocked a kick.
- Maddux Rigsby finished with 6 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and a pass breakup.
- Kaleb Lawson and Daymeon Casimir each had 4 tackles and a sack.
