Football Runs Over Rockford For First Win

WAUWATOSA, Wis. (WLCSports.com) - Wisconsin Lutheran College rushed for over 300 yards for the fifth time in program history and surpassed the 50-point plateau for the eighth time in a 52-20 Homecoming rout over Rockford on Saturday at Raabe Stadium.

The Warriors (1-4, 1-2 NACC), who lit up the scoreboard for 52 points for the second straight season against the Regents (1-4, 0-3 NACC), extended their winning streak to 16 games in the all-time series.

WLC converted its two first-quarter possessions into points, first when junior Arnulfo Ortega (Laredo, Texas) kicked a 31-yard field goal to cap a seven-minute, 16-second scoring drive. Freshman Emmitt Hawkins (Cudahy, Wis.) hauled in a 36-yard touchdown reception from sophomore Bryce Barbian (Cudahy, Wis.) with 2:26 left in the opening quarter for a 10-0 lead.

RU found the end zone five seconds into the second quarter for its points of the game, and it wasn't until the 1:48 mark when Wisconsin Lutheran extended its lead back to 10 points at halftime. Barbian tossed his second touchdown of the game to sophomore Jamil Gordon (San Marcos, Texas) from 16 yards out for a 17-7 advantage. 

The two teams alternated touchdowns in a wild third quarter, which featured a combined 27 points scored. Gordon grabbed a three-yard touchdown catch from Barbian at the 10:07 mark, and after Rockford came within four points for the second time, sophomore Javier Murillo (San Antonio, Texas) was on the receiving end of a Barbian 33-yard touchdown pass. The Warriors went into the fourth quarter in front 31-20. 

WLC forced a trio of fourth-quarter turnovers, two of which turned into touchdowns. Following a 17-yard interception return from senior Chris Cooper (Milwaukee, Wis.), senior Trevion Green (Miami, Fla.) found the end zone from one yard out for a 38-20 lead. On the Regents' next possession, senior Kyle Kubacki (St. Francis, Wis.) finished off a strip sack by senior Carter Schneider (Jefferson, Wis.) with a 22-yard fumble return for a touchdown. Green capped the scoring with a 42-yard touchdown run, his second of the game, with 2:52 remaining on the clock.

Wisconsin Lutheran out-gained RU 497-339. Green rushed for a career-high 144 yards and two touchdowns, while Murillo added a career-high 130 yards on the ground. Barbian finished 17-for-26 for 196 yards and four touchdowns, with Hawkins catching five passes for 82 yards and a score. 

Senior Brandon Antczak (Mukwonago, Wis.) and sophomore Layson Handwork (Merritt Island, Fla.) had a team-high six tackles apiece. Antczak and freshman Joel Martin (Jefferson, Wis.) broke up a pair of passes. 

The Warriors remain home next Saturday for a 1 p.m. NACC contest against Lakeland (2-3, 1-2 NACC). Live coverage links for the Faith and Family Day game will be available at WLCSports.com.