ROCKFORD, Ill. - Beloit out-gained Rockford on the ground, 180-97, Saturday afternoon, but it was not enough, as Rockford defeated the Buccaneers 41-14 in what served as both team's season opener.

Rockford (1-0) got on the board first with a 16-yard touchdown pass mid-way through the first quarter. The Regents would add a 36-yard touchdown pass later in the quarter to double their lead. Beloit would cut that lead in half three minutes into the second quarter when Drake Marquez found paydirt with a 4-yard run. Rockford got those points back on the ensuing possession, thanks to a 78-yard touchdown pass. The Regents scored twice more in the half, on a 40-yard pass and a seven-yard run, to take a 35-7 lead into halftime.

Rockford scored again in the opening minutes of the fourth, going 78 yards in 16 plays, capped by a one-yard run. Beloit's only other score came in the final quarter when Jacob Shafer found the end zone from one-yard out.

Marquez led Beloit with 136 yards on 17 carries (8.0 ypc), including a long of 45 yards, while A.J. Fitzpatrick finished with 29 rushing yards. Shafer completed 15 of 25 passes for 126 yards. Fitzpatrick led all Beloit receivers with four catches for 48 yards. Beloit's defense was led by Ethan Flores' 14 tackles, while Ethan Levra recorded the team's lone sack. The Buccaneers also forced three fumbles on the day.

Beloit will be in action again next weekend when they'll open up the conference season with their home opener against Cornell (Iowa). That game will begin at 1 p.m. at Strong Stadium in Beloit.