By MILES SOUZA
Beloit Football got off to a hot start to open the year but cooled down quickly. After their first opening game win since 2009, the Bucs dropped the next two to put them at 1-2 overall.
In their opening matchup, Beloit edged out the Rockford University Regents to take the first annual “Battle of the Rock River Trophy.” The Buccaneers edged out the Regents in a rubber match with a final score of 34-27.
The crosstown matchup brought a packed house at Strong Stadium. There wasn’t a seat in the house as fans continuously flowed into the stadium. The crowd was rowdy the entire game. The Bucs’ student section was even booing Rockford fans and students on the way in and would cheer for Beloit alums as they strolled in and out of Strong Stadium.
Marquez ran for two touchdowns and was slipping through tackles left and right. The defense made spectacular plays, including two blocked kicks by All-Region cornerback Gavin Thorpe’25.
The Bucs headed into the locker room with a comfortable 17-6 lead and seemed in total control. However, the Bucs were sluggish out of the locker room and could not adjust.
Beloit failed to score in the third quarter and could only kick two field goals in the fourth. Kicker Rafael Cervantes Jr.’25 drilled to long-field plans for their only offense of the half.
The Bucs continued to call run plays down the throats of Grinnell’s defense despite the Pioneers sending the house. Beloit failed to gain yardage on the ground but continued to run straight into tackles. The offense showed great potential, but the lack of adjustment in the play calls held them back.
The Buccaneers also went for it on fourth and long with a six-point game in Pioneer territory. They got the first down to give them four more opportunities for the touchdown and a one-point lead. Instead, when the fourth down came this time, the Bucs kicked a field with little time left of the clock.
Decisions like this have hurt the Bucs for years and seem to come back at the worst times possible. When some hope is present, it always seems to slip away quickly.
The Bucs hope to turn their luck around as they head into a bye week and match up against the University of Chicago in their Homecoming game.
Featured Image Credit: Los Angeles Times
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