Aurora University and Vago Field were host to a thrilling Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference battle between the Spartans and Muskies of Lakeland College. The teams went two overtimes before Lakeland knocked off the Spartans 47-40.

THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE:  Lakeland College 47, Aurora University 40 – Two OTs
LOCATION: Aurora, Illinois – Vago Field
RECORDS: Aurora University 3-4; 2-2 NACC ; Lakeland College 5-2; 3-0 NACC
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
An interception by AU's Cody Patchett set up a Spartan touchdown pass from Geron Rogers to Danny Logiurato of 26-yards at 10:28 in the 1^st quarter.
On the ensueing drive, AU's Luis Leguer intercepted a pass.
A third AU forced turnover, this time a fumble recovery by Ben Medlicott set up a Spartan touchdown rush by Brandon Evans of 10-yards at 3:51 in the 1^st quarter.
On the first play of the second quarter, Lakeland got on the board with a touchdown rush by Michael Whitley.
AU kicker Zac Mirabelli missed a 35-yard field goal attempt.
Three plays later, Leguer intercepted Whitley for the second time.
A muffed punt that was recovered by Michael Perry set with another Evans rushing touchdown, this time seven yards out at 6:20 in the 2^nd quarter. Following a missed extra-point, AU led 20-7.
Lakeland intercepted AU quarterback Geron Rogers which set up a Muskie touchdown pass from Whitley to Kezlow Smith with 0:09 left in the half.
After a long return to open the second-half, Lakeland scored in two plays on a touchdown pass from Whitley to Michael Esiobu at 14:20 in the 3^rd quarter.
Lakeland expanded their lead to 27-20 on a touchdown from Whitley to Smith at 10:54 in the 3^rd quarter.
AU responded immediately with a long drive that culminated in a Spartan touchdown pass from Rogers to Logiurato at 4:46 in the 3^rd quarter.
On the first play of the fourth quarter, Lakeland scored a rushing touchdown by Whitley to take a 34-27 lead.
The Spartans marched right back down the field ending in a touchdown rush by Evans 10:10 in the 4^th quarter.
In a battle that went back and forth, Lakeland answered with a touchdown rush by Whitley at 6:52 in the 4^th quarter and led 40-34 after a missed extra-point.
AU generated a final drive with success as a touchdown pass from Rogers to Logiurato with 0:37 left tied the game up at 40-40. But a missed extra-point would send the game into overtime.
In overtime, AU got possession first and marched down to the one yard line only to be stopped on third and fourth down which gave the Muskies their overtime possession.
On the third play of the Muskie possession, AU's Brandon Fulton intercepted Whitley to send the game into a second overtime.
Lakeland converted on their possession with a rushing touchdown by Whitley.
The Spartans were unsuccessful in their possession of the second overtime.
 
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
AU forced six turnovers, four interceptions and two fumble recoveries while turning the ball over twice.
The Spartans ran 100 plays to 76 for Lakeland.
The teams were a combined 7-of-9 on fourth downs with AU going 5-of-7.
Lakeland quarterback Michael Whitley accounted for 447 yards (84 rushing and 363 passing) with the Muskies finishing with 444 as a team.
Both teams had missed extra points in the game, AU with two and Lakeland with one.
 
FOR THE SPARTANS
Rogers threw for 255 yards (18-of-42), three touchdowns and one interception.
Logiurato led the Spartans with 10 receptions for 173 yards and three touchdowns.
Evans led the Spartans with 35 carries for 73 yards and three touchdowns.
Jonathan Stokes had 21 rushes for 68 yards.
Justin Gibbons led the Spartans with eight tackles and four pass breakups.
Niko Delacruz had eight tackles, one quarterback sack and one forced fumble.
Leguer had four tackles and two interceptions.
 
FOR THE FOES
Whitley led the Muskies with 26 carries for 126 yards and four rushing touchdowns while also throwing for 363 yards (28-of-45), three touchdowns with four interceptions.
Esiobu caught eight passes for 141 yards and a touchdown.
Smith had seven catches for 56 yards and two touchdowns.
Landon Deringer led the Muskies with nine tackles.

UP NEXT
The Spartans will remain at home on Vago Field on Saturday, October 31 and play host to the Wisconsin Lutheran College Warriors. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. in Aurora, Illinois.