The Aurora University Spartan football team traveled to River Forest Saturday afternoon for the first NACC matchup of the season. The Spartans poured it on in the first half going into halftime up 42-0. The Spartans would not give much in the second half on their way to a 56-7 win.


FINAL SCORE: Aurora University 56, Concordia University Chicago 7
LOCATION: Concordia Stadium - River Forest, Illinois
RECORDS: Aurora University 2-1 overall (1-0 NACC); Concordia Chicago 1-2 overall (0-1 NACC)
Complete Box Score - View Here


- After a quick first series and punt from the Spartans to open the game, Spartan Ernesto Ramirez intercepted the Cougars on their first offensive play.
- The Spartans were unable to capitalize on the turnover, but would force another punt on the following CUC possession.
- The Spartan offense would settle in on their third drive as Josh Swanson found Jhe'Quay Chretin for a 14-yard touchdown.
- After trading possessions, Spartan James Mautino would receive a punt at the CUC 47 and would take it all the way back to put Aurora up 14-0 with just under three minutes left in the quarter.
- Just two minutes into the the second quarter Swanson found Cameron Moore deep down the left sideline for a 65-yard strike, extending the Spartan lead to 21.
- The offense would find themselves back on the field just a minute later defense forced another three and out.
- On the second play of the drive Swanson dropped back and launched another deep ball, this time down the right side to Trey Madsen for a 51-yard touchdown.
- Another three and out would lead to a similar connection with Swanson finding Madsen for a 29-yard strike. Making it a 35-0 Spartan lead.
- On the next Cougar possession Spartan Otis Watts would lay a big hit on the Cougar ball carrier to force and recover a fumble.
- The Spartans would close out the half with an 11 play, 80-yard drive that would be capped off with another Swanson touchdown pass, this time to Michael Boland for 5-yards.
- The Cougars came out of the half with what looked to be their best drive of the game. CUC drove down to the AU 2-yard line. Spartan Marcellus Romious had other plans as he would step in front of a CUC pass and take it the length of the field the other way for a 100-yard pick six. Watch the Pick Six (view now)
- Each team would punt on their next possession. CUC was able to block the AU punt to set up their lone score of the game, a 7-yard rush with five minutes remaining in the third quarter.
- Spartan Christian Bower would cut the Cougars first possession of the fourth quarter short when he would intercept a Cougar pass and return it 42 yards.
- The Bower interception would set up Aurora's final score, a 4-yard Swanson TD pass to Tyler Duncan.
- The Spartans would end the game with two kneels on the CUC 4 and 6-yard line to secure the 56-7 win.

 

Rushing:
 - Carries: Jhe'Quay Chretin (14)
 - Yards: Jhe'Quay Chretin (33) and Zack Russell (25)
Passing:
- Josh Swanson (20-of-35 for 325 yards with six touchdowns)
Receiving:
 - Catches: Trey Madsen (13) and Jhe'Quay Chretin (7)
 - Yards:  Trey Madsen (125) and Cameron Moore (81)
 - Touchdowns: Trey Madsen (2) and Jhe'Quay Chretin, Cameron Moore, Michael Boland, and Tyler Duncan (1)
Defense:
- Tackles: Marcellus Romious (10) and Ernesto Ramirez (9)
- Sacks: Jared Pratt (1.5) and Otis Watts (1.0)
- Interceptions: Marcellus Romious, Ernesto Ramirez, and Christian Bower (1)
- Touchdown: Marcellus Romious (1 - 100 yards)