The Aurora University football team returned home to Vago Field on Saturday, September 26 and played host to the Big Blue of Millikin University. AU snapped a seven-game losing streak to Millikin with a dramatic 24-20 victory.

THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE:  Aurora University 24, Millikin University 20
LOCATION: Aurora, Illinois – Vago Field
RECORDS: Aurora University 1-2; Millikin University 1-2
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Millikin opened up the scoring with a field goal to lead 3-0 after one quarter.
AU responded early in the second quarter with a touchdown pass from Geron Rogers to John Walker, 65-yards.
The Spartans extended their lead to 10-3 with a 31-yard field goal by Zac Mirabelli.
Millikin touchdown pass from Nicco Stepina to Taylor Sanders to tie the game 10-10 just before halftime.
Spartans scored on their opening drive of the second-half, a 35-yard touchdown from Rogers to Danny Logiurato to take a 17-10 lead.
Millikin scored the next 10 points with a touchdown in the third and field goal midway through the fourth quarter to take a 20-17 lead.
The Spartans answered though with the game winning 19-yard touchdown pass from Rogers to Logiurato with 2:48 left to play.
AU's defense forced Millikin to turn the ball over on downs on the ensuing drive and seal with win.
 
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
The Spartans defeated Millikin University for the first time in eight tries, AU is 1-7 All-Time now.
AU knocked off a CCIW opponent for the first time since 2010 when the Spartans beat North Park 9-7.
Four of the eight contests between the two opponents have now been decided by four points or less.

FOR THE SPARTANS                                                      
Rogers led the Spartans with 184 passing yards and three touchdowns. He was 10-of-24 passing.
Brandon Evans carried the ball 23 times for 99-yards.
Logiurato led the Spartans with seven receptions for 110-yards and two touchdowns.
John Walker had one catch for 65-yards and one touchdown. He also had two kick returns for 72-yards with a long of 62.
Mirabelli was one-for-one on the day with his first collegiate field goal of 31-yards.
Luis Leguer led AU with eight tackles.
Anthony Doory had seven tackles and one quarterback sack.
Ray DiMatteo had three tackles with a quarterback sack in the final drive of the game.
Eric Wagner had three tackles with two being quarterback sacks.
 
FOR THE FOES
Nicco Stepina led Millikin with 257 yards passing and two touchdowns.
Andre Colvin had 21 carries for 88 yards.
Brady Cufaude led Millikin with eight receptions for 100 yards and a touchdown.
Alex Tatar led the Big Blue with nine tackles.
 
UP NEXT
The Spartans will welcome back alumni and friends to Vago Field next week for AU Homecoming on Saturday, October 3 when they host the Rockford University Regents. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m.