The Aurora University Spartan football program received national recognition entering the 2009 football season by earning a national ranking in the annual Lindy’s pre-season publication which is currently out on newsstands.
The defending Northern Athletics Conference champions and NCAA Division III qualifiers were ranked No. 20. Head Coach Rich Duncan’s squad opens the season Saturday, September 5, 2009, when they host Lake Forest College on Vago Field at 1:00 p.m.
AU finished the season with a 9-2 overall and 7-0 record in the Northern Athletics Conference. The Spartans, winners of the inaugural Northern Athletics Conference football championship and a bid to the NCAA Division III Football Championship, lost to Monmouth College (42-13) in the first round of 2008 NCAA Division III Football Championships on Saturday, November 22, 2008.
The Spartans finished the 2008 season averaging 350.3 yards per game of total offense, 183.6 on the ground, 166.6 through the air and scored 33.5 points per game. The defensive unit (ranked No. 3 in Division III in total defense) allowed 15.1 points per game, 237.8 yards of total offense, 63.4 on the ground, 174.5 through the air and average 3.7 turnovers per game with a 1.8 turnover margin per game, which led Division III.