Box Score
Box score
MILWAUKEE - Wisconsin Lutheran College
sophomore running back Mike Reeves (Hoffman Estates, Ill./Hoffman
Estates) rushed for a school-record four touchdowns as the Warriors
overcame adversity and injuries to defeat Rockford 34-14 on Senior
Day at Raabe Stadium.
The first quarter saw no scoring as both teams could not muster
much offense. The Warriors turned the ball over three times in the
opening 15 minutes, but the WLC defense made big stops after each
of the giveaways to keep the game scoreless after one quarter.
It was the Regents who got on the board first as they scored on
a blocked field goal when Jeremiah Montgomery blocked a 23-yard
field goal attempt and EJ Johnson returned the blocked kick 80
yards for a touchdown, giving Rockford a 7-0 advantage.
The Warriors defense set up the first WLC score of the afternoon
as Josh Gordon (Bradenton, Fla./Southeast) forced a fumble and
Jason Kramer (Oconomowoc, Wis./Wisconsin Lutheran) recovered it at
the Rockford 33-yard line setting up the Warriors with excellent
field position late in the first half. WLC needed just five plays
after the turnover as Reeves ran it in from one-yard out making the
score 7-7. That 7-7 score would remain for the rest of the opening
half.
The first half came with its fair share of injury-related
adversity as the Warriors lost three players, including senior
quarterback Zach Shaw (Gurnee, Ill./Warren Township) who exited the
game in the second quarter and did not return. Drew Dyrssen (Vista,
Calif./California Lutheran) and Brett Youngbeck (Brown Deer,
Wis./Brown Deer) relieved Shaw and split time at quarterback the
rest of the way.
Rockford jumped back out to a seven-point lead in the second
half as they scored just 1:48 into the half when Jacob Gorsuch
found Delroy Russell for a 44-yard touchdown to cap off a
four-play, 74-yard touchdown drive.
Wisconsin Lutheran had an answer when Donavin Tucker
(Brookfield, Wis./East) returned the ensuing kickoff 43 yards to
the Rockford 44-yard line and a 15-yard late hit penalty by the
Regents set up WLC with starting field possession at RC's 29-yard
line. The Warriors covered those 29 yards in six plays and Reeves
again capped off the drive with a one-yard touchdown run, tying the
score 14-14.
The play of the game came later in the third quarter when
Wisconsin Lutheran faced a 3rd-and-17 from its own 21-yard line,
but Reeves took the handoff around the right side and went 79
yards to the house for the 21-14 WLC lead.
Reeves added another rushing touchdown midway through the fourth
quarter, his school-record fourth of the game, and Tucker ran one
in from nine yards out later in the fourth quarter pushing the
final score to 34-14.
Reeves rushed for 137 yards on just 13 carries as he averaged
10.5 yards per carry to lead the WLC offense. The Warriors totaled
296 yards on the ground as Taylor Pelot (Fond du Lac,
Wis./Campbellsport) and Tucker added 78 and 75 yards,
respectively.
Kramer had nine tackles and a fumble recovery to lead the
defense, while Gordon added two sacks, a forced fumble, and
recovered another fumble later in the game that was forced by Sam
Boyd (Delray Beach, Fla./American Heritage). Eric Zeitler
(Waukesha, Wis./Wisconsin Lutheran) and Tyler Schoen (Marion,
Wis./Marion) each intercepted passes.
Rockford (2-7, 1-5 NAC) was led by tight end Dane Kirk who
hauled in six passes for a game-high 116 receiving yards. Jacob
Arnold finished with a game-high 10 tackles and forced a fumble for
the Regents.
WLC also celebrated Senior Day as 13 seniors played their final
game at Raabe Stadium. The Warriors senior class has produced 24
wins, including the program-best seven victories this season.
Wisconsin Lutheran (7-2, 5-1 NAC) concludes its 2012 season next
Saturday when it faces Concordia Wisconsin (6-3, 5-1 NAC) in the
fifth annual Lutheran Bowl. Kickoff between the Warriors and
Falcons is set for 12 p.m. at Tomasini Stadium in Mequon, Wis.
