BELOIT, WI – Under the lights at Strong Stadium this evening, Beloit College opened its 2026 football campaign with a gritty 14-12 victory over Rockford University. In a defensive battle that came down to the final whistle, the Buccaneers used a dominant second-quarter surge and a resilient defensive effort to secure their first win of the season.
The game began with Rockford striking first. At the 6:19 mark of the opening period, Malik Gordon found the end zone on a 1-yard plunge. However, a sign of things to come occurred on the extra-point attempt: Beloit's Aden Champagne (Hollywood, FL) broke through the line to block the kick, a play that would ultimately prove to be the difference-point in the one-possession game.
Trailing 6-0 entering the second quarter, the Beloit offense found its rhythm. The Buccaneers took the lead with 10:59 remaining in the half when quarterback Noah Carrasco (Cypress, TX) orchestrated a 4-play, 52-yard drive, capped off by a 5-yard touchdown strike to Braeden Hoth (Fort Atkinson, WI). Kicker Ian Ladd (Madison, WI) added the extra point to give Beloit a 7-6 advantage.
Beloit wasn't finished. Following a Rockford fumble recovered by Alex Klun (Sun Prairie, WI), the Buccaneers capitalized on the short field. Running back Deandre Fields (Fort Worth, TX) powered his way into the end zone from 4 yards out, extending the lead to 14-6 before halftime.
The second half turned into a tactical defensive struggle. Rockford managed to pull within two points in the third quarter following a 6-yard touchdown pass, but Beloit's defense stood tall on the crucial two-point conversion attempt, stopping Malik Gordon short of the goal line to maintain a 14-12 lead.
In the fourth quarter, the Buccaneers' defense took over. Led by Michael Snow (Parkland, FL), who recorded a game-high 11 tackles and two tackles for loss, Beloit frustrated the Regents' comeback attempts. David Howard III (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) provided a massive spark with an interception, while the secondary, featuring Josh Yearby (Hollywood, FL) (2 pass breakups), kept the Rockford passing game in check.
The Buccaneers' offensive effort was anchored by quarterback Carrasco, who managed the game with poise, completing 15 of 25 passes for 116 yards and a touchdown. His primary target in the vertical game was Hoth, who accounted for a team-high 50 receiving yards, including a highlight 38-yard grab and a 5-yard scoring reception. On the ground, Fields provided the crucial short-yardage muscle with a four-yard touchdown run, while Arturo Aguilera (Houston, TX) led the backfield in total production with 31 rushing yards. Kadir Battle (Miami, FL) also played a vital role in the victory, leading all Beloit receivers with five catches and totaling a team-high 51 all-purpose yards through his contributions in the passing and return games.
On the defensive side of the ball, Snow was a ubiquitous presence, leading the Buccaneers with 11 total tackles and two tackles for loss. The unit's ability to create turnovers was instrumental in the win, highlighted by Klun, who recorded seven tackles while both forcing and recovering a key fumble. Howard III contributed significantly to the secondary's success with five tackles and a momentum-swinging interception. Perhaps the most impactful individual effort came from Champagne, whose defensive stat line included a sack and a critical blocked extra point in the first quarter that ultimately provided the narrow two-point margin of victory.
The Bucs travel to Mount Vernon, Iowa and MWC foe Cornell College on Saturday, September 12th. Kick off from Van Metre Field at Ash Park is set for 1:00 p.m.
