Aurora University football, under the direction of former National Football League (NFL) wide receiver and Spartan Head Coach Don Beebe, will begin the 2019 season with the home opener this Saturday, September 7, at 1:00 p.m. The Spartans will host the Green Knights of St. Norbert College at Spartan Athletic Park

All-Time Series -
- This is the second meeting between Aurora University and St. Norbert College on the football field.
- The first meeting came last year at St. Norbert with the Spartans losing 16-7.
- Starting with the 2021-2022 season, St. Norbert will join AU in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference.

Watch the game action -
- The game can be seen live using live stats or live video.

About the Aurora University Spartans –
- 2019 marks the 86th season of AU Spartan football.
- Head Coach Don Beebe will man the AU sideline for the first time on Saturday.
- The Spartans finished third in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference in 2018.
- The Spartans enter the 2019 season picked to win the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference according to the preseason poll.
- AU returns eight starters on offense and five on defense coming off a 5–5 overall record.

Spartan Key Returners -
- Senior linebacker Cole Sinn
- Senior running back Connor Olson
- Senior punter Ryan Basden
- Junior offensive lineman Oscar Nava
- Junior quarterback Gavin Zimbelman
- Junior running back Tyran Bailey
- Senior offensive lineman BoDee Steber
- Junior linebacker Casey Dycus.

Head Coach Don Beebe -
"I am honored to coach AU football," said Beebe. "I knew mentoring kids was my calling when I retired and sports are my avenue to do that. I care about my players and want to instill in them the importance of never settling for mediocrity. I want our Spartan football players to think big. With hard work and commitment they can and will achieve great things."

Beebe grew up in Sugar Grove, Illinois. A graduate of Chadron State College (Neb.), where he caught the eye of NFL scouts. He played for the Buffalo Bills, the Carolina Panthers and the Green Bay Packers.
 
Beebe holds the record for the most touchdowns in a Bills game (four). He astounded viewers of Super Bowl XXVII when he relentlessly pursued a Dallas Cowboy who was prematurely celebrating a defensive touchdown, knocked the ball loose, and prevented the score. He played in five other Super Bowls, including winning with the Green Bay Packers in 1997.

After retiring from the NFL, Beebe founded House of Speed in Aurora with Dr. Jeff Schutt in 1998. House of Speed has trained 100,000 athletes of various levels and sports, including more than 40 professional athletes such as Dallas Cowboy quarterback Tony Romo and Michael Turner of the Atlanta Falcons. Beebe coached football at Aurora Christian High School from 2004 to 2013, leading the team to three state championship appearances and two championships.

About the St. Norbert College Green Knights –
- St. Norbert enters the 2019 season ranked No. 25 in the D3football.com Poll.
- The Green Knights finished 10-2 last season and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Division III Playoffs.

Green Knights to Watch - 
- Sophomore running back Nate Ihlenfeldt.
- Sophomore running back Brandon Dudley.
- Junior wide receiver Matt Galanopoulos.
- Senior wide receiver Samuel Staehling.
- Senior defensive back Joe Peterson.
- Senior defensive lineman Kordell Draves.
- Senior defensive back Walter McBride.

Up Next for the Spartans -
- The Spartans will be at Elmhurst College on September 14. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m in Elmhurst, Illinois.