Aurora University Athletics

The Aurora University football team nearly spoiled homecoming for Concordia University Wisconsin on Saturday afternoon. After trailing early 21-0, AU stormed back to take a 31-21 lead before eventually falling late to CUW 34-31.

THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE:  Concordia University Wisconin 34, Aurora University 31
LOCATION: Mequon, Wisconsin – Tomasini Stadium
RECORDS: Aurora University 2-3 overall and 1-1 NACC; Concordia University Wisconsin 2-3 overall and 2-0 NACC
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
CUW jumped out to a 21-0 lead with 14:31 left to play in the second quarter.
A 27-yard Zac Mirabelli field goal put the Spartan on the scoreboard with 11:43 left in the second.
Freshman running back Jonathan Stokes scampered 36-yards for a touchdown midway through the second quarter.
Just before halftime, Geron Rogers connected on a 7-yard touchdown to Peter Rizzi. AU trailed 21-17 going into half.
AU continued the comeback in the second-half. Senior running back Brandon Evans dashed 36-yards for a touchdown and a 24-21 AU lead.
Evans hit pay dirt again late in the third quarter from three-yards out to give AU a 31-21 lead.
CUW broke the AU scoring run midway through the third quarter but AU still led 31-28.
An AU turnover was turned into points for CUW as they took a 34-31 lead. AU managed to block the point after attempt.
                                                                                                                 
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
AU led CUW in all major statistical categories minus the final score.
Aurora had 25 first downs on the day compared to 21 for CUW.
AU out gained CUW on the day 533 to 385 with 270 in the air and 263 yards on the ground.
 
FOR THE SPARTANS                                                      
Evans led the Spartans with 122 rushing yards on 24 carries and two touchdowns.
Stokes had 113 yards on 16 carries and a touchdown.
Rogers passed for 270 yards (21-of-40) and a touchdown.
Danny Logiurato caught eight passes for 160 yards.
Rizzi had five catches for 37 yards and one touchdown.
Cody Patchett had a team high 10 tackles.
Anthony Doory had nine tackles which included two for losse and one quarterback sack.

FOR THE FOES
Nixon was 20-of-29 passing for 226 yards and two touchdowns while rushing 24 times for 83 yards and two touchdowns.
Guess led all tacklers with 14 tackles.
 
UP NEXT
The Spartans will return to the road next week with a trip to River Forest, Illinois on Saturday, October 17 when they take on the Concordia University Chicago Cougars. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m.