Parbs, Warriors Race Past Regents

WAUWATOSA, Wis. (WLCSports.com) - Senior Justin Parbs (Milwaukee, Wis.) scored four touchdowns and accounted for 307 offensive yards to lead Wisconsin Lutheran College to a 52-35 win over Rockford on Saturday at Raabe Stadium.

The Warriors (2-4, 2-2 NACC), who surpassed season highs for points and total offense, defeated the Regents (1-6, 0-5 NACC) for the 15th straight time to even their conference record on the year.

RU took advantage of a pair of WLC fumbles on its first two possessions of the game and capitalized for a 14-0 lead less than three minutes into the first quarter.

Wisconsin Lutheran responded, however, scoring touchdowns on five consecutive drives to take a commanding lead. Parbs plunged into the end zone from one-yard out midway through the first quarter, and junior Carter Schneider (Jefferson, Wis.) hauled in a 10-yard touchdown pass from freshman Nate Griffeth (Brighton, Colo.) to even the score at 14 apiece after the opening stanza.

Parbs broke loose for an 85-yard touchdown run on the Warriors' first offensive play of the second quarter to give them their first lead of the game, and junior Trevion Green (Miami, Fla.) made it a two-touchdown difference after hauling in a 32-yard pass from Griffeth with 6:43 left before halftime.

WLC answered a late Rockford touchdown in the second quarter with a score of its own just 0:45 seconds before half when Parbs caught an eight-yard pass from Griffeth for a 35-20 halftime advantage.

Both teams tallied one touchdown in the third quarter, and after the Regents came within seven points, Parbs put Wisconsin Lutheran back up by two scores with a 40-yard touchdown catch and run with 3:19 left in the quarter.

RU came within one score again early in the fourth quarter, but the Warriors put the game out of reach with a 23-yard field goal from sophomore Arnulfo Ortega (Laredo, Texas) and a two-yard run from senior Jalen Harris (Chicago, Ill.) with 1:59 on the clock.

WLC out-gained Rockford 546-502 in total offense despite the visitors running 87 plays compared to 58 for the hosts. 

Parbs rushed 24 times for 187 yards and two scores on the ground, while catching four passes totaling 120 yards and two TDs through the air. Green also caught seven passes for 91 yards. Griffeth completed 19 of 26 passes for 326 yards and four touchdowns in his first collegiate start under center.

Senior Ty Castillo (San Antonio, Texas) and sophomore Savon Goodwin (New Orleans, La.) led the defense with 10 tackles each. Junior Kyle Kubacki (St. Francis, Wis.) had a pair of sacks.

Jaelen Ray threw for 375 yards and five touchdowns for Rockford. Titus Cannon caught 12 passes for 103 yards and a score. Garrick McGregor led the team with eight tackles.

Wisconsin Lutheran travels to Eureka, Illinois next Saturday for a 6 p.m. kickoff against the Red Devils (2-5, 2-3 NACC). Live coverage links will be available at WLCSports.com.