Football team loses to Rockford, 28-12, in MIAA/NAC Challenge

ROCKFORD, Ill. – Senior Tony Phillips (Lansing/Waverly) threw for a career-best 212 yards, but it was not enough as the Olivet College football team lost 28-12 to Rockford (Ill.) College today at Sam Greeley Field in Rockford, Ill. The game was a part of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association/Northern Athletics Conference Challenge.

The Regents led 7-6 at halftime, and scored 21 unanswered points to pull ahead 28-6. The Comets scored in the closing minute of the game.

The teams traded interceptions early in the game, but Rockford was able to capitalize on the turnover and put seven points on the scoreboard. Olivet got on the scoreboard with 3:22 left before halftime when Phillips capped a 16-play, 68-yard drive with a one-yard sneak into the endzone. The Comets had one more possession in the first half, but they were stopped on fourth down deep into Rockford territory.

Rockford scored on its first series of the second half. The Regents took advantage of another Comet interception, returning it for a touchdown with 4:02 left in the third quarter. Rockford used a long 15-play, 80-yard drive to score its last touchdown.

Olivet scored a touchdown on its final play of the game on another one-yard run by Phillips. The scoring drive was set-up by a 60-yard kickoff return for freshman Curtis French (Carleton/Airport) and a 27-yard pass completion from Phillips to freshman Aaron Haynak (Clare).

For the game, the Comets had 241 yards of total offense. Seven ball carriers combined for 29 rushes for 29 net yards. Phillips completed 21-of-34 passes for his 212 yards, which is the most passing yards for an Olivet quarterback since Rob White threw for 263 yards against Hope College on Nov. 3, 2007. Freshman Travis Lankerd (Battle Creek/Lakeview) caught a team-high five passes for 48 yards, while freshman Jason Barbosa (Trenton) and Trevor Garbow (Alto/Caledonia) each had four receptions. Barbosa led the way with 56 receiving yards.

Freshman linebacker Nate Roberts (Grand Rapids/Forest Hills Central) finished with a game-high 11 tackles, including seven solo stops. Sophomore Ryan Armstrong (Rives Junction/Leslie) had two quarterback sacks for minus 15 yards.

The Regents totaled 334 yards of offense, including 254 on the ground. Matt Botello carried the ball 21 times for 177 yards. Aabed Nekrawesh was 6-for-15 for 80 yards. Seth Swinehart topped the defense with eight total tackles, all solo stops.

After playing their first three games of the 2012 season on the road, the Comets will host North Park (Ill.) University in their home-opener next Saturday, Sept. 22. Kickoff from the Cutler Athletic Complex is 1 p.m.