The Aurora University Spartan football team took sole possession of first place in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference with a 28-21 victory at Rockford University.

THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Aurora University 28, Rockford University 21
LOCATION: Rockford, Illinois - Sam Greeley Field
RECORDS: Aurora University 4-3 and 3-0 NACC; Rockford University 1-6 and 0-4 NACC
ATTENDANCE: 936
DURATION: 3:39
WEATHER: 58 degrees and partly cloudy.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The first quarter saw both teams trade possessions with neither finding the end zone.
With their first possession of the second quarter, AU went 87 yards in 14 plays covering over eight minutes. Cody Lane capped off the drive with a one-yard touchdown run.
Rockford answered with a score of their own on the following drive and late in the second quarter, the game was tied 7-7.
The Spartans then utilized a kick-off that went out of bounds for good starting field position. Four plays and 65-yards later AU led 14-7. Connor Olson had two runs for 21 yards, Geron Rogers dashed 12 yards before he found Chris Villafuerte on a 32-yard touchdown pass.
AU led 14-7 going into halftime.
The Spartans took the opening kick of the second half and drove into Regent territory before seeing the drive stall at the 35-yard line.
Rockford scored quickly on a 65-yard touchdown pass and the score was tied 14-14.
AU responded immediately though on the next possession, driving 74-yards in six plays with Noah Allgood hitting Logan Zavala on a 46-yard touchdown pass. AU led 21-14.
In what was becoming a quick scoring game, Rockford answered on their next drive and late in the third, the game was tied 21-21.
After the AU defense and Ray DiMatteo (sack) stopped Rockford on a long time possessing drive, the Spartan offense went to work.
The Spartans had five solid rushing plays mixed around a completion to Van Norris before Rogers found Villafuerte on a 20-yard completion and score. AU now led 28-21 late in the fourth.
Again the AU defense held strong, forcing a Rockford turnover on downs and the Spartan offense earned the first down they needed before running out the clock with kneel downs.
As the final horn sounded, AU was victorious 28-21.
 
SPARTAN STAT LEADERS
Rushing:
            Carries: Connor Olson (17) and Cody Lane (6)
            Yards: Connor Olson (109) and Noah Allgood (33)
Passing: Geron Rogers (14-20 for 171 yards and two touchdowns) and Noah Allgood (5-10 for 76 yards and one touchdown)
Receiving:
            Catches: Sean Mullen (6) and Van Norris (5)
            Yards: Logan Zavala (75) and Sean Mullen (71)
Touchdowns: Chris Villafuerte (2) and Logan Zavala (1)
Tackles: Kam Ryan, Ray DiMatteo, Cody Patchett, Tyler Blume and Bendan Fulton (5)
Sacks: Ray DiMatteo and Juan Carreno (1)
 
UP NEXT
Next action for the Spartan football team comes on Saturday, October 29 when they host Concordia University Wisconsin. Game time is set for 1:00 p.m. on Vago Field in Aurora, Illinois.