ROCKFORD, Ill. – The Concordia Wisconsin football team continued its undefeated season on Saturday afternoon with a commanding 56-14 victory at Rockford. The Falcons improved to 7-0 overall and 5-0 in Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC) play to remain in first place in the conference standings.
The Falcons scored eight touchdowns in the victory, including 28 points in the third quarter, to extend their winning streak to seven games.
The Falcons struck first with 9:38 remaining in the opening quarter. Senior Jacob Pugh (Atlanta, Ga.) shook off Rockford defenders and powered his way into the end zone for a four-yard touchdown rush to finish a six-play, 73-yard drive.
Freshman Alijah Bright (Baytown, Texas) doubled the Falcon lead when he rushed untouched up the middle for a three-yard touchdown to make it 14-0.
Pugh struck again with 3:26 remaining in the first quarter, punching the ball up the middle from one yard out for his second touchdown of the afternoon.
The Regents responded with a touchdown late in the first quarter to cut the CUW lead to 21-7.
The Falcons added to their advantage in the second quarter when Bright found an opening up the middle, juked past the Rockford defense and raced 13 yards into the end zone for his second touchdown of the afternoon. The score gave CUW a 28-7 advantage heading into halftime.
The Falcons came out firing in the third quarter as freshman quarterback Carter Schmitz (Cedar Grove, Wis.) connected with junior Victor Watson Jr. (Cypress, Texas) on a 10-yard slant for a touchdown. The score capped a six-play, 87-yard drive to extend the lead to 35-7.
The Falcon defense then came up with another big stop, forcing Rockford into a turnover on downs after the Regents lost five yards on the possession.
The offense wasted no time capitalizing on the opportunity. On the very next play, Schmitz connected with senior Drew Allen (Madison, Wis.), who charged down the right sideline for a 20-yard touchdown reception to extend the lead to 42-7.
The Falcons continued their third-quarter surge when junior Jack Bradley (Tucson, Ariz.) elevated over the defense to snag a 25-yard touchdown pass from Schmitz in the end zone.
Schmitz closed out the third-quarter scoring with another highlight play. The freshman escaped the pocket and found senior Nick Crowell (Las Vegas, Nev.) down the far sideline for a 35-yard touchdown to give the Falcons a 56-7 advantage.
Rockford added a touchdown in the fourth quarter to close out the scoring.
The Falcons finished with 448 yards of total offense, including 285 passing yards and 163 rushing yards.
Schmitz completed 10 of his 13 passes for 155 yards and four touchdowns. Senior Roman Funk (Scottsdale, Ariz.) completed six of seven passes for 121 yards.
Bright led the Falcons on the ground with 80 yards and two touchdowns on 11 carries. Pugh finished with 44 yards and two touchdowns on 11 attempts.
Watson Jr. led the receiving corps with four receptions for 81 yards and a touchdown. Bradley added three receptions for 73 yards and a touchdown, while Crowell finished with three catches for 57 yards and a score.
The Falcon defense held the Regents to just 44 rushing yards and recorded nine tackles for loss and four sacks.
Senior Cole Krych (Apollo Beach, Fla.) led the defensive effort with five tackles, three tackles for loss and two sacks. Senior Devin Glowicki (Commerce City, Colo.) and junior Brock Roseman (Pueblo, Colo.) each finished with six tackles, while senior Duncan Ireland III (Eagle, Wis.) added a sack.
The Falcons also recovered a Rockford fumble, with freshman Vadim Misiura (Belgium, Wis.) securing the loose ball.
Senior Nick Klein (Rome City, Ind.) was a perfect 8-for-8 on extra-point attempts.
The victory keeps the Falcons undefeated and in first place in the NACC standings as they enter their bye week.
The Falcons will return to action on Saturday, Oct. 31, when they welcome St. Norbert to Tomasini Stadium for a key NACC matchup.
