ROCKFORD, Ill. - The Rockford University football team lost 40-3 in its home opener Saturday afternoon to the St. Norbert College Green Knights. The Regents found it tough to get things going offensively, but the defense held St. Norbert to just three points in each of the first and third quarters. However, the Green Knights scored 23 points in the second quarter and 14 in the fourth quarter and held the Regents scoreless until the third quarter. The Green Knights amassed 331 yards of total offense, while the Regents put up 133 yards of total offense, enabling St. Norbert to walk away with the win.
- Rockford and St. Norbert both started the game slow offensively, with both defenses able to hold up and together only allowed 3 points, which came on a Green Knight field goal with 2:23 left in the first quarter.
- The Green Knights were able to score on their next two possessions to roll out to a quick 13-0 lead. The scoring came off of a 1-yard touchdown pass by Peyton Lyon and another field goal.
- St. Norbert was able to add to its lead even more in the second quarter with a 38-yard fumble recovery touchdown and a 10-yard touchdown pass to take a commanding 26-0 lead going into the half.
- Rockford opened the second half with a bang after a huge 73-yard return by Timothy Bearden to set the Regents in position to score to start their first drive of the half.
- Unfortunately, the Regents were not able to find the end zone but were able to get a field goal from Kaden Finnestad to get Rockford on the board and there would be no more scoring for the rest of the third quarter.
- The Green Knights were able to score on back-to-back drives to start the fourth quarter with a 4-yard rushing touchdown by Will Darden and an 18-yard rush for 6 as well to give St. Norbert a 40-3 lead.
- The Regents were not able to get anything going for the remainder of the game and the Green Knights were able to hold on for the 40-3 win.
- Joey Alvarez provided 15 tackles, with 1 tackle for loss.
- Chancellor Bradley Jr put up 8 tackles, 2 tackles for loss and a sack.
- Curtis Hosea had 6 receptions for 23 yards.
- Jack Carey had 44 yards rushing and 3 catches for 12 yards.
- Timothy Bearden had 2 kick returns, compiling 84 return yards, with one being a 73-yard return.
