The Aurora University Spartan football team returned home to Spartan Athletic Park for the first time in the 2022 season against Franklin College on Saturday afternoon. The Spartans led early and ran away from the Grizzlies in the second-half on their way to a 49-16 win.


FINAL SCORE: Aurora University 49, Franklin College 16
LOCATION: Spartan Athletic Park – Montgomery, Illinois
RECORDS: Aurora University 1-1 overall; Franklin College 0-2 overall
Complete Box Score - View Here


- AU received the opening kick-off and following a 42-yard return from James Mautino, the Spartans marched 56 yards in eight plays with Mautino scoring on a 17-yard strike from Josh Swanson.
- Following the pat, AU led 7-0.
- The Spartans ended the first Franklin drive with an interception by Connor Nordmeyer at the AU 10 yard line.
- The AU offense then used 14 plays to drive 77 yards but turned the ball over on downs deep in Franklin territory as the score remained 7-0 Spartans.
- Two plays later by Franklin and the opening quarter ended with AU leading 7-0.
- On the very first play of the second, Ben Slatcoff stepped in from of a pass and 24 yards later he celebrated a pick-six and AU led 14-0.
- Franklin answered on the next drive going 70 yards in eight plays to score and cut the AU lead to 14-7.
- The visitors scored on their next drive, this time a 22 yard field goal and AU now led 14-10.
- The AU offense answered back immediately with Swanson connecting with Trey Madsen on a 42-yard catch and run.  Four plays later, the duo connected again, this time a six-yard strike and score. AU now led 21-10 late in the second.
- The Spartans threatened again just before the half ended but turned the ball over on downs again deep in Franklin territory.
- AU led 21-10 going to halftime.
- Franklin converted an 18-yard field goal on the opening drive of the second-half to give AU a 21-13 lead.
- On the Spartans second possession of the third quarter, the offense got rolling. On the seventh play, Swanson and Madsen connected for a second time, this scoring play from 24-yards out and AU now led 28-13.
- After the defense forced a Franklin punt, the AU offense went 64 yards in eight plays with Ta'vion Geanes scoring on a 22-yard scamper.  Late in the third, AU led 35-13.
- Leading 35-13 going to the fourth, Franklin connected for a third field goal on the day to cut AU's lead to 35-16.
- On the Spartans next possession, Swanson hit Michael Boland on a 48-yard pass play setting up a first and goal. A few plays later, Jhequay Chretin scored from three-yards out and AU led 42-16.
- The ground game continued to churn out yards for AU on the next possession. Geanes (30 yards) and Zack Russell (38 yards) carried the load with Russell scoring from eight yards out and AU led 49-16.
- The Spartans went on to win 49-16.
 

Rushing:
 - Carries: Jhequay Chretin (23) and Ta'vion Geanes (5)
 - Yards: Jhequay Chretin (125) and Ta'vion Geanes (70)
- Touchdowns: Jhequay Chretin, Ta'vion Geanes and Zack Russell (1)
Passing:
- Josh Swanson (20-of-37 for 292 yards with three touchdowns)
Receiving:
 - Catches: Trey Madsen (7) and Cameron Moore (5)
 - Yards:  Trey Madsen (92) and Cameron Moore (75)
 - Touchdowns: Trey Madsen (2) and James Mautino (1)
Defense:
- Tackles: Christian Bower (7), Marcellus Romious and Jaylen Jordan (6)
- Sacks: Cole Tandy (1.5) and Jared Pratt (1.0)
- Interceptions: Connor Nordmeyer and Ben Slatcoff (1)
- Touchdown: Ben Slatcoff (1)