The Aurora University football team defeated the Rockford College Regents 20-7 on Saturday afternoon in Rockford, giving Head Coach Rick Ponx his first head coaching win.

In the opening quarter, the teams each traded possessions twice with the Spartans generating the only true scoring chance in their second drive. AU traveled deep into Rockford territory but came up short on a fourth down attempt.

With their third possession of the quarter the Spartans went on the move again. In six plays before the quarter came to an end, AU went 57 yards to the Rockford 23 yard line.

On the first play of the second quarter, junior quarterback Curtis Townsend connected with freshman receiver Danny Logiurato on a 23-yard touchdown. The extra point was failed for a 6-0 Spartan lead.

The AU defense forced the action on the ensuing drive. After a long kick return set up Rockford in AU territory, the defense held strong and on the fifth play, senior Tanner Wilcox tackled the Regent quarterback, forcing a fumble that was recovered by JaRon Turner at the AU 22 yard line.

The Spartan offense was forced to punt the ball back to Rockford who again found themselves deep in AU territory. But as they did on the previous drive, the Spartan defense forced a turnover. Facing a first and goal from the five yard line, the Spartans came up with a no gain on a rush and then Billy Baker forced a fumble at the two yard line that Travon Royal came up with, preserving the 6-0 AU lead.

The teams then traded possessions ending with punts. After AU punter Krystian Chudoba pinned the Regents deep (two yard line), the defense caused another turnover. Van Norris intercepted a Rockford pass at the 10 yard line and returned it three yards to the Rockford 7, setting up the offense with a first and goal. Unfortunately the Spartan offense stalled and turned the ball over on downs.

Only two plays later the AU defense came up with their fourth turnover of the day. Spartan Sedric Stewart intercepted a Rockford pass at the 26 yard line, once again setting up the AU offense with great field position.

Townsend and the Spartans took advantage this time, scoring in four plays with the drive capper being a seven yard touchdown pass fromTownsend to Peter Rizzi. After a failed extra point, AU led 12-0 which they took into halftime.

AU kicked off the Rockford to start the second half and after the defense forced a punt, the Spartan offense found themselves back againt their own end zone at the six yard line. On the second play of the drive, Jake Apple rambled 81 yards before being drug down at the Rockford 13 yard line. Six plays later, Apple went around the right side for a three-yard touchdown run. The Spartans were aided by a Rockford pass interference call in the end zone which the Regents made an intrception on the play. Townsend connected with Justin Phipps for the two-point conversion and a 20-0 Spartan lead with almost nine minutes left in the third quarter.

The Regents threatened on the ensuing drive but the Spartan defense had a defensive stand. Facing first and goal from the nine, senior Kyle Tretheway got a 10-yard sack that ignited the eventual turnover on downs.

At the end of three quarters, AU still led 20-0.

On the opening drive of the fourth quarter, Rockford was able to end the Spartan shutout bid. Rockford went 86 yards on eight plays in 2:32 to score and cut the Spartan lead to 20-7..

The teams traded possessions for the final 11:30 and the Spartans coming away with the 20-7 victory.

Apple finished the day with 23 rushes for 130 yards and one touchdown and Townsend was 13-of-23 passing for 154 yards and two touchdowns. Defensively, Wilcox had 13 tackles, a sack, forced fumble and two tackles for loss, Zach Laud had seven tackles and Turner had seven tackles and a fumble recovery.

With the win, AU is now 1-3 overall and 1-0 in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference. Next action for the Spartan football team comes on Saturday, October 11 when the host Concordia University Wisconsin on AU homecoming. Game time is set for 1:00 p.m. on Vago Field.