The Concordia University Cougars defeated the Aurora University Spartans 44-27 Saturday afternoon at Vago Field on AU's senior day.
The win marks the first time in 16 tries that the Cougars knocked off the Spartans since AU reinstated football in 1986.
The quick strike Cougar offense got to work early in the first quarter when Concordia capitalized off an early Spartan turnover. Concordia quarterback Mike Marotta connected on the first play of the game for the Cougar offense with Jonathan Johnson on a 24 yard touchdown pass to put the Cougars up 7-0 just 58 seconds into the contest.
The Cougars would get the ball back after forcing a Spartan three and out and on the ensuing possession, they would again score quickly.
This time Marotta again found Johnson on the second play of the
drive and just the third offensive play of the contest for Concordia, on a 42 yard touchdown pass.
The Spartans, however, would respond just 27 seconds later on their next drive. Senior running back Ryne Reder found a hole in the Cougar defense and dashed 87 yards for the touchdown, cutting the Cougar lead to 14-6 following a missed extra point by junior kicker Ryan Subick.
The run by Reder established a new Vago Field record, eclipsing the old record of 76 yards set by Dan Dixon in 1992 against Benedictine University.
Yet, Concordia was not done with their first quarter scoring barrage. Cougar running back Khyree Copeland would score on a 66 yard touchdown run to make the score 21-6 Cougars. And following a Spartan three and out, Copeland set up the fourth score of the first quarter with a 34 yard run. Fellow running back Justin Peacock plunged in from five-yards out, making the score 28-6 with 3:09 to play in the first quarter.
In the second quarter, the Spartans were able to force a Cougar turnover, as senior defensive end Pat Funk sacked Marotta and caused a fumble which was pounced on by senior defensive lineman Alex Boro. Three plays later, Spartan freshman quarterback Noah Martin connected with senior wide receiver Zach Sitter on a 55 yard touchdown pass, making the score 28-13.
The Spartans would strike again just before halftime. Following a Cougar punt, the Martin would connect with senior wide receiver Tim Young on a 24 yard touchdown pass, cutting the Cougar lead to 28-20.
Both teams would fail to score on their next possessions, and the Cougars would lead 28-20 in a wild first half of action.
In the third quarter, the Cougars marched down the field on the half's opening possession that went 14 plays for 80-yards. The drive was capped off with a one yard Copeland run. The Spartans were able to block the extra point, but the Cougars increased their lead to 34-20.
On their next possession, the Spartans would punt the ball back to Concordia. On Concordia's possession, Spartan senior defensive end Mike DeVries sacked Marotta and recovered the ball deep in Cougar territory. The Spartans would capitalize a few plays later, as Martin found Young in the end zone for an 11-yard touchdown pass. At the end of the third quarter, the Spartans trailed 34-27.
But just as they opened up the third quarter, the opening possession of the fourth quarter for the Cougars was no different. Concordia sustained a 15 play drive capped off by a 31 yard field goal by Andrew Shine. With field goal, the Cougars stretched their lead to 37-27.
The 10-point lead would be insurmountable for the Spartans to overcome, though the Spartans did not
lack effort in attempting to do so. After the Concordia field goal gave them the 10-point lead, both teams traded punts and the Spartans took the second possession and march 10 plays and 57 yards but came up empty as Subick missed on a 30-yard field goal attempt.
On the Cougars first play following the miss, Copeland broke free for another big run, this time for 80 yards. Following the extra point, the Cougars led with the eventual final score 44-27.
On the day, Martin finished 13 of 31 for 216 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions. Reder led the Spartans on the ground with 133 yards on 14 carries and one touchdown.
Martin connected with Sitter three times for 85 yards and one score and Young three times for 49 yards and two scores.
Defensively for the Spartans , senior linebacker Mike Budzinski led the Spartans with 14 tackles, senior defensive back Tony Musaraca chipped in 12 tackles and Funk finished the day with four tackles, three for loss and two quarterback sacks.
For Concordia, Marotta was 23 of 34 for 337 yards and two touchdowns, Copeland had 221 yards on 27 rushes and three scores and Johnson had seven catches for 147 yards and two scores. Curt Underwood had 11 tackles and two quarterback sacks and David Dwyer had six tackles.
On the year, the Spartans fall to 4-5 (2-4 NAC) while the Cougars improve to 8-1 (5-1 NAC).
Next action for the Spartans comes on Saturday, November 14, when they travel to Sheboygan, Wisconsin to take on the Lakeland College Muskies. Game time is set for noon.
