The historical run for the Aurora University Spartan football program came an end on Saturday afternoon in Waverly, Iowa when the Spartan fell to Wartburg College 45-17 in the quarterfinal round of the 2022 NCAA Division III Football Championship playoff. 


FINAL SCORE:  #12 Wartburg College 45, rv Aurora University 17
LOCATION: Waverly, Iowa - Zimmerman Field
RECORDS: #rv Aurora University 11-2 overall; #12  Wartburg College 13-0 overall
GAME TIME: 2:34


- The Spartans took the opening kickoff and were forced to punt but the Spartan defense made a stop on fourth down to get the ball back.
- The AU offense then marched 75 yards in 11 plays for the games first score. Josh Swanson hit Michael Boland on the 11-yard touchdown pass.
- The defense made a stop on the next Wartburg drive and with one second left in the opening quarter Matthew Hylek connected on a 31-yard field goal and AU led 10-0.
- Wartburg got a long return and a penalty to start the second quarter deep in AU territory.
- The Spartans had a drive going on their next possession but a penalty and long sack forced a punt.
- Wartburg continued with the momentum and with 5:22 left in the second, AU trailed for the first time in the playoffs 14-10.
- AU looked like they were about to regain the lead but a 70-yard interception and return for a touchdown gave Wartburg a 21-10 lead.
- The teams would head to halftime with AU down 21-10.
- Wartburg took the second-half kick and marched down field to add to their lead of 28-10.
- The Spartans responded after along a long kick return from Cameron Moore.
- 10 plays and 55 yards ended with a 23-yard touchdown pass from Swanson to Trey Madsen.
- The AU defense got the ball back with a quick three and out but two plays in, Wartburg intercepted a Swanson pass 
- AU would trail 28-17 after three quarters.
- Early in the fourth, a long punt return for Wartburg ended in a touchdown run and with 13:39 left in the fourth, AU trailed 35-17.
- After the Spartans failed on a fourth down pass, Wartburg scored using the short field to go ahead 42-17 with 10:45 left in the game.
- AU would fall 45-17.
 

Rushing:
 - Carries: Jhe'Quay Chretin (18)
 - Yards: Jhe'Quay Chretin (74)
Passing:
- Josh Swanson (21-of-37 for 182 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions)
Receiving:
 - Catches: James Mautino and Jhe'Quay Chretin (6)
 - Yards: James Mautino (44), Trey Madsen and Ty Pruett (34)
 - Touchdowns: Michael Boland and Trey Madsen (1)
Defense:
- Tackles: Ben Slatcoff (11), Christian Bower and Ernesto Ramirez (8)