ROCKFORD, Ill. - The Martin Luther College football team came from behind to win 28-24 at Rockford University on Saturday thanks to a 68-yard touchdown pass from Zach Bloomquist to Josh Arndt with 53 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. 

The Knights fell behind 7-0 early, but took control from there to build a two-score lead early in the third quarter. The Knights' first score came late in the second quarter on a four-yard run by Nate Stein, and then took the lead right before the half with an 11-play, 80-yard drive capped by an Austin DeNoyer one-yard run.

MLC continued its advantage to open the third quarter, scoring on a five-play drive that ended with a Bloomquist 24-yard scoring run to push the lead to 21-7.

Rockford turned the momentum from that point, tying the game early in the fourth quarter before taking a three-point advantage with a field goal with 6:26 to play. 

Following a huge defensive stop by the MLC defense to get the ball back with just over two minutes to play, Bloomquist connected with Arndt down the sideline for the 68-yard score on third and long to give the Knights the lead.

On the ensuing possession, the Regents converted a fourth down to get into MLC territory, but Joe Herrewig ended the game with an interception in the end zone to secure the MLC win.

Bloomquist missed his first four passes on the day, but finished the day 12-24 through the air for 186 yards and one score. Arndt caught five of those passes for 120 yards, while DeNoyer added four receptions for 30 yards.

The Knights also finished with 208 yards rushing, led by 87 yards and one touchdown on 24 carries by DeNoyer. Stein recorded 18 carries for 68 yards, while Bloomquist finished with 34 yards on the ground and one score. 

The MLC defense helped build the lead with a strong first half, allowing only 134 yards through two quarters, and then capped the game with Herrewig's interception in the final seconds to seal the win. Ian Paulsen led the team with 11 tackles and two pass break-ups. Tristan Pankow and Benjamin Riegsecker each recorded 10 tackles, while Keith Brassow added one sack and two tackles for loss. 

MLC improved to 1-1 on the season with the win. Rockford fell to 1-1 in defeat.

The Knights have a bye on the schedule for next week, and will return to the field on Saturday, September 22, at Greenville.