The Aurora University Spartans defeated the Rockford College Regents 37-0 on a chilly Saturday afternoon at Vago Field.

 

The Spartans started the game off strong, as junior quarterback Mike Anderson found junior wide receiver Tim Young in the end zone on a 12 yard pass, capping an eight play, 47 yard drive on the game's opening possession.

 

The rest of the quarter would see the Spartans and Regents exchange possessions, and, at the end of the first quarter, the Spartans would lead 7-0.

 

The Spartans would add to their lead early in the second quarter. After senior linebacker Mike Budzinski recovered a Regent fumble in the closing minutes of the first quarter, the Spartans would capitalize.

 

AU put together an 11 play, 47 yard drive resulting in a junior kicker Ryan Subick 28 yard field goal to increase their lead to 10-0.

 

However, both teams would exchange punts the rest of the way, and, at halftime, the Spartans led 10-0. 

During halftime, Aurora University honored senior baseball player, catcher Kirk Williamson for his being named a second-team ESPN the Magazine/CoSIDA Academic All-America. Williamson was honored for the award which was presented to him by AU Director of Athletics Mark Walsh and Head Baseball Coach Shaun Neitzel.

 

The third quarter was very similar to the first two quarters, as both teams would exchange punts. The Spartans were able to put together a nine play, 43 yard drive but would not be able to punch the ball in the end zone. Subick, however, would be able to points on the board for the Spartans, as he connected on a 25 yard field goal to increase the lead to 13-0.

 

The Spartans were finally able to break through in the fourth quarter and put the game out of reach. Freshman running back Steve Rivera scored on a one yard run in the opening minutes of the quarter to make the lead 20-0. The Rivera plunge capped off a four-play drive that was set up by a 31-yard punt return by junior defensive back Josh Davidson.

 

Following another Rockford punt, the Spartans struck quickly again, as Anderson connected with senior wide receiver Mike Abel on a 39 yard touchdown pass to make the lead 27-0.

 

Rockford would turn the ball over on the following possession when Spartan defensive back Reed Sullivan intercepted a pass, giving the Spartan offense possession at the Regent 40-yard line.

 

The Spartans would score eight plays later, as Subick connected on his third field goal of the day, putting the Spartans up 30-0.

 

Senior running back Rick Howell would score the game's final touchdown, as he capped off a seven play, 65 yard drive with his three yard touchdown run. The fourth offensive touchdown of the day finished the scoring with at 37-0.

 

For the game, Anderson was 9 of 21 for 146 yards with two touchdowns. Senior running back Ryne Reder led the Spartan ground game, as he finished with 17 carries for 55 yards.

 

The Spartan defense once again brought forth an outstanding performance, limiting the Regents to 159 total yards (60 on the final drive off the contest) and only 11 first downs.

 

Defensive leaders for the Spartans included Budzinski (15 tackles and a fumble recovery), senior defensive end Pat Funk (13 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks), and senior linebacker Dave Gesiakowski (eight tackles).  

 

With the win, AU improves to 4-3 (2-2 NAC) while Rockford falls to 0-7 (0-4 NAC). 

Next action for the Spartans comes on Saturday, October 31, when they travel to Milwaukee, WI to take on the Wisconsin Lutheran Warriors. Game time is set for 1:00 p.m.