ROCKFORD, Ill. - The football team opened 2-0 for the first time since their historic 2013 season with a 57-42 win over Rockford in the first meeting between the two teams.

The Panthers jumped ahead early in the game, taking a 14-0 lead in the first quarter. GU went on top with a Delrey Crowder touchdown reception from Chase Butterfield with 11:45 to play in the first quarter, and they received a two-yard touchdown run from Paul Garrett with 3:57 on the clock.

Rockford scored to cut the deficit in half, but Greenville bounced right back with a 34 yard receiving touchdown from Robert Regans. After fumble by Rockford on their next possession, Butterfield connected with Cherondric Broyles for a three yard touchdown catch.

Rockford scored with a little over five minutes left in the first half to make the score 27-14, but the Panthers added two touchdowns before the half ended. Butterfield completed an 11 yard touchdown strike to Matthew Tiger with 2:43 to play, and Garrett produced his second rushing touchdown of the day, a one yard run, to make the score 41-14 at halftime.

Rockford scored the only points of the third quarter to reduce Greenville's advantage to 41-21.

Early in the fourth quarter, Butterfield ran the ball in four yards for a touchdown, and Rockford answered almost immediately to push the score to 47-28.

Lucas Hermo made a field goal for the second straight week with 6:17 to go in the game, and Rockford followed with another touchdown to keep the score within two possessions at 50-35.

With 2:02 remaining in the game, Adrian Hinton broke off a 36 yard touchdown scamper, and Rockford added a final touchdown with 1:11 to play.

Butterfield completed 14-of-27 passes for 235 yards, two interceptions, and four touchdowns.

Regans, Crowder, and Tiger each caught three passes. Regans led the team with 69 receiving yards, Crowder had 58, and Tiger added 22.

Garrett rushed the ball 26 times for 167 and two touchdowns, while teammate Hinton reached triple digits with 12 rushes for 100 yard and a touchdown.

Lawrence Harris was GU's leading tackler with eight in the contest, and he also added an interception. Lakari Benjamin and Thomas Linnear each had a quarterback sack.

The Panthers (2-0) travel to Adrian College to play in their homecoming game next Saturday.