DULUTH, Minn. - The Rockford University football team won a 31-24 overtime thriller to get off to a 2-0 start for the first time since the 2015 season. Rockford led by as many as 14 points in the fourth quarter before ultimately defeating the College of St. Scholastica in overtime on a
Jack Carey 1-yard touchdown run. The Regents were extremely efficient on offense throughout the game, compiling 451 yards of total offense, converting 12-of-19 third downs (63.2%) and 2-of-3 fourth downs (66.7%). Conversely, the Saints had just 342 yards of total offense and were held to 4-of-14 on third downs (28.6%). Today's victory moves Rockford's all-time record against St. Scholastica to 2-0.
- Defense dominated the early portion of the game, with neither team scoring in the first quarter.
- It was the Saints who struck first with a 15-play, 93-yard drive that resulted in a 23-yard Jacob Andrews field goal to give CSS a 3-0 lead.
- Fortunately, Rockford responded with a scoring drive of its own two possessions later. The Regents went 52 yards on 12 plays, capped off by a 2-yard touchdown run by Jaelen Ray. Kaden Finnestad added the point after to give Rockford a 7-3 lead heading into the half.
- It looked as though the Saints would retake the lead on the opening drive of the third quarter. St. Scholastica moved the ball all the way down to the Rockford 6-yard line, but then fumbled the ball, which was recovered by Will Havens to end the scoring threat.
- Following a three and out by the Regents, St. Scholastica scored on its first play from scrimmage, a 45-yard touchdown run by Jevon Williams, to retake the lead at 10-7.
- The Regents answered right back with scores on each of their next three possessions.
- Rockford began with a 12-play, 69-yard drive that ended with a 28-yard Kaden Finnestad field goal to knot the game at 10-10.
- After a three and out by the Saints, Rockford marched the ball 94 yards on 13 plays, capped off by a 2-yard touchdown run by Jack Carey on third and goal to make it a 17-10 RU lead.
- It was the Regent defense that came up with the next big play when Timothy Bearden intercepted a pass on his own 8-yard line to turn away the Saints.
- The offense then promptly drove the ball 92 yards for its third touchdown of the afternoon. The drive ended on a 29-yard touchdown pass on third down from Jaelen Ray to Cheldon Barnes, giving Rockford a 24-10 advantage with only 5:30 remaining in the fourth quarter.
- Unfortunately, the Saints only needed 1:39 to find the end zone. Donald West hit Simon Randorf on a 42-yard touchdown pass to make it a 7-point game.
- Rockford then proceeded to turn the ball over on its next possession and give the Saints a short field.
- St. Scholastica took advantage, with the aid of a penalty, and scored the game-tying touchdown on a 7-yard Andrew Burgess touchdown run with 59 seconds left, which ultimately sent the game into overtime.
- Rockford went on offense first to begin the overtime period. Facing a third and eleven on the CSS 26-yard line, Jaelen Ray hit Jason Dean for a 22-yard completion to make it first and goal. Three plays later, Jack Carey plunged into the end zone from a yard out to give his team a 31-24 lead.
- The RU defense then took the field to try and end the game. After a five yard run on first down, the Regents forced three straight incompletions to end the game and seal the win.
- Jaelen Ray finished 31-of-44 for 376 yards and 1 touchdown. He also ran the ball 5 times and scored another touchdown on the ground.
- Blake Winters caught a career-high 6 passes for a career-high 111 yards.
- Cheldon Barnes had 6 receptions for 67 yards and a touchdown.
- Jack Carey ran the ball 33 times for 91 yards and 2 touchdowns. He also caught 5 passes for 25 yards.
- Kyree Jackson had 6 catches for 90 yards.
- Joey Alvarez had 10 tackles, including 8 solo tackles.
- Timothy Bearden intercepted a pass.
