Rockford Sun

Rockford University issued the following announcement on Oct. 23

The Regents football team (2-6, 1-5 NACC) suffered a heartbreaking 41-34 loss on Saturday afternoon at NACC leading Benedictine University (6-1, 5-0 NACC). The game was played within a 14-point span the entire way, as neither team led by more than a touchdown at any point. Both the Regents and Eagles scored a touchdown in each of the first two quarters and sent the game into halftime tied at 14-14. Rockford would then outscore Benedictine 20-14 in the third, to take a 34-28 lead into the fourth quarter. Unfortunately, the Eagles scored the first 13 points in the fourth, to retake the lead at 41-34. The Regents had one final chance to tie or win the game in the final minutes, but turned the ball over on downs at the BenU 15-yard line to end the game. Statistically, the two teams were nearly even in total yards. Rockford finished with 326 passing yards and 133 rushing yards, for 459 total yards. Benedictine meanwhile had 220 yards on the ground and 211 yards through the air, for 431 yards of total offense.

Regent Recap

• Benedictine jumped out to a quick 7-0 lead after scoring on the game's opening possession.
• The Eagles went 70 yards on eight plays, capped off by a 24-yard Gregory Hoard touchdown run. 
• Fortunately, Rockford answered right back with a touchdown on its first possession of the day. 
• The Regents used nine plays to cover 69 yards and did not face a single third down on the drive. Rockford did the majority of its damage on the ground, with LaVar Johnson Jr. accounting for 36 rushing yards on just three attempts. However, it was Jaelen Ray who found Jamon Carter-Grady on an 8-yard touchdown pass to make it a 7-6 game. Gerardo Zamudio then converted the point after to tie the game. 
• The RU defense then came up with a huge red zone stand on the very next drive. The Regents forced a turnover on downs to give the ball back to the offense, with a chance to take the lead. 
• The Regent offense responded with a 15-play drive that covered 77 yards and took 7:42 off the clock. 
• Rockford converted on a third and ten early in the drive, before converting on two fourth downs on the Eagles' side of the field. The latter of the two came on fourth and one when LaVar Johnson Jr. barreled forward for two yards and a touchdown, to give his team a 14-7 lead. 
• The Regent defense again came up with another critical stop on the Eagles' next possession. Rockford's Garrick McGregor intercepted a Tyler Jarnagin pass in the end zone to end the threat and preserve the 14-7 advantage. 
• Unfortunately, Rockford went three and out and was forced to punt the ball back to the Eagles. 
• Benedictine then sent the game into the half tied at 14-14, after scoring a touchdown on the ensuing drive. 
• The second half got off to a rough start following interception on Rockford's second play from scrimmage. 
• Benedictine needed just one play to retake the lead. Tyler Jarnagin hit Kiandre Morris for a 9-yard score and put Benedictine back in front 21-14.
• The Regents would not trail for long, as Jaelen Ray led the Regents down the field on a 9-play, 73-yard scoring drive to tie the game. Rockford again did not face a single third down the entire series. Ray capped off the drive by finding Jamon Carter-Grady on a 6-yard touchdown strike. Zamudio tacked on the point after to make it a 21-21 game. 
• Garrick McGregor then intercepted his second pass of the day to give the ball back to the RU offense with a chance to retake the lead. 
• It took the Regents just one play to find the end zone, as Jaelen Ray connected with Joey Owens on a 57-yard touchdown strike to give his team a 28-21 lead. 
• The RU defense would then force its third turnover of the game on the Eagles' very next play from scrimmage. Andrew Heath forced a fumble, which was recovered by Garrick McGregor, to give the RU offense the ball in Benedictine territory.  
• Unfortunately, Rockford was unable to take advantage and turned the ball over on downs. 
• The Eagles then tied the game on their next possession with a 9-yard touchdown pass to make it 28-28. 
• Rockford responded as it had all day with yet another touchdown. Jaelen Ray connected with Joey Owens for a 66-yard touchdown on third down to give the Regents a 34-28 lead heading into the fourth quarter. 
• However, the Eagles were able to score on their next two drives to take a 41-34 lead with 6:25 left in regulation. 
• With time ticking away, Rockford had one final chance to tie the game or take the lead in the closing moments. 
• Jaelen Ray drove the offense down the field, converting on a pair of fourth downs (14 yards to Joey Owens and 13 yards to Maurice Williams), to give the Regents a first and ten at the BenU 15-yard line. 
• Unfortunately, Rockford's final four pass attempts fell incomplete, as the Eagles held on for a 41-34 win.

Sta Leaders

• Jaelen Ray finished the game 24-of-38 for 326 yards and 4 touchdowns. Ray now holds the RU single-season records for passing yards (2,869), pass attempts (365), completions (244), touchdown passes (29) and total offense (3,107). 
• Joey Owens caught 9 passes for 197 yards and 2 touchdowns. Owens now holds the RU single-season and career records for receptions (76/148), receiving yards (1,176/2,235) and receiving touchdowns (16/22). He is also within striking distance of breaking the single-season school records for all-purpose yards (1,497), total touchdowns (17) and total points scored (102) and the single-season NACC record for receiving yards (1,193). 
• LaVar Johnson Jr. carried the ball 19 times for 110 yards and 1 touchdown. Johnson's 30 career rushing touchdowns and 31 total touchdowns puts him within striking distance of breaking the school career records for rushing touchdowns (34), total touchdowns (35) and points scored (210). 
• Jamon Carter-Grady had 3 receptions for 21 yards and 2 touchdowns. 
• Garrick McGregor was all over the field defensively for Rockford. McGregor intercepted 2 passes, recovered a fumble and tied his career-high with 10 tackles. 
• Andrew Heath finished with 10 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 1 sack and a forced fumble.

Up Next

The RU football team is back on the road next Saturday, October 30 at St. Norbert College. Kickoff is set for 1:00 PM.

Original source can be found here.