ROCKFORD, Ill. (WLCSports.com) - Sophomore Emmitt Hawkins (Cudahy, Wis.) hauled in a school and Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference-record five touchdown receptions and Wisconsin Lutheran College won its first overtime game since 2018 following a thrilling 49-48 victory over Rockford on Saturday at Sam Greeley Field.
The Warriors (6-3, 5-2 NACC), who assured themselves a winning season for the first time since 2014, wrapped up their conference road slate with a perfect 4-0 record.
WLC took the opening kickoff and went 80 yards on just three plays when junior Bryce Barbian (Cudahy, Wis.) hooked up with Hawkins for a 62-yard touchdown. The Regents tied the score at 7-7 following a seven-yard touchdown run on their first drive of the game. After a 72-yard kickoff return from freshman Carson Koehler (Saginaw, Mich.), Barbian connected with Hawkins for a 20-yard touchdown on the first play for a 14-7 lead. Following a fourth-down stop for Wisconsin Lutheran on RU's next possession, Barbian found Hawkins for a 31-yard touchdown four plays later and the Warriors led 21-7 after the first quarter.
A four-yard touchdown run midway through the second quarter cut the Rockford deficit to one score, but freshman Liam Heiges (Appleton, Wis.) responded three plays into the ensuing drive with a 58-yard touchdown run for a 28-14 advantage. Barbian and Hawkins went to work again on their second-to-last drive of the half, culminating with a nine-yard touchdown completion and a 35-14 lead. The Regents drove 69 yards on just six plays in less than a minute, scoring on a 37-yard touchdown pass just before halftime.
RU accounted for the lone touchdown of the third quarter on its first drive of the second half, marching 67 yards on nine plays with a seven-yard touchdown pass to come within a score at 35-28.
Barbian and Hawkins hooked up for a final time on WLC's first drive of the fourth quarter, converting a 4th-and-9 from Rockford's 20-yard line with a 20-yard touchdown strike. The Regents wouldn't go away, however, as they answered with a 13-yard touchdown run and 67-yard touchdown pass on their next two possessions to even the contest at 42-42 with 3:58 to play. The teams were forced to punt on each of their next drives, and the game clock expired before Wisconsin Lutheran was able to move the ball into RU territory.
The Warriors received the ball first in overtime and found the end zone in five plays when Heiges scored on a three-yard run. Rockford scored just three plays into its first overtime possession on a one-yard run, but elected for the game-winning two-point conversion try. Quarterback Jaelen Ray's pass fell incomplete and WLC won its second straight overtime game over the Regents.
Wisconsin Lutheran totaled 467 offensive yards. Barbian threw for 276 yards on 21-for-33 passing and five touchdowns, tossing for five scores for the second time in three weeks. Heiges rushed for 140 yards and two touchdowns on 13 carries. Hawkins, who set a school and conference record with five touchdown catches, finished with 173 yards on seven receptions. Junior Jamil Gordon (San Marcos, Texas) had 10 catches for 77 yards.
Defensively, senior Savon Goodwin (New Orleans, La.) recorded a career and game-high 19 tackles. Junior Layson Handwork (Merritt Island, Fla.) also finished with a career-best 15 tackles, including a sack. Junior Nathan Nevad (Merritt Island, Fla.) also added 10 stops. Graduate Kyle Kubacki (St. Francis, Wis.) tallied a sack.
Jaelen Ray completed 34 of 48 passes for 420 yards and three touchdowns for the Regents (4-5, 2-5 NACC), who racked up 603 offensive yards. Jack Carey rushed for 169 yards on 40 carries and one score. Joey Alvarez registered a team-high 14 tackles.
The Warriors wrap up their 2024 season next Saturday when they host NACC foe Concordia Wisconsin (6-2, 5-2 NACC) for Senior Day. The battle for the Luther Cup trophy kicks off at 1 p.m. Live coverage links can be found at WLCSports.com.
Warriors Outlast Rockford In Overtime Behind Hawkins' Record Day
/seasons/2024/boxscores/20241109_wu9n.xml
2024
Wisconsin Lutheran
49
Rockford
48
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | T |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Lutheran (6-3) | 21 | 14 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 49 |
| Rockford (4-5) | 7 | 14 | 7 | 14 | 6 | 48 |
Nov 09, 2024