The Aurora University Spartan football team scored a second 100-yard pick six in as may games and scored 70 unanswered points on their way to a 70-7 victory at Rockford University on Saturday.


FINAL SCORE: Aurora University 70, Rockford University 7
LOCATION: Rockford University - Rockford, Illinois
RECORDS: Aurora University 3-1 overall (2-0 NACC); Rockford University 1-3 overall (0-2 NACC)
Complete Box Score - View Here


- A tale of the first-half began on the fourth play of the game when Conner Nordmeyer intercepted a Rockford pass.
- On the second Spartan offensive play, Josh Swanson had his pass intercepted and returned to the AU eight yard line.
- The two interceptions were part of eight between the two teams in the first-half, six for the AU defense.
- Three plays later, Rockford scored to go ahead 7-0.
- It took the Spartans just five plays to tie the game with Swanson hitting Michael Boland on a 32-yard scoring strike.
- With the AU defense forcing a three-and-out, the offense took little time to regain the lead and for good. Four plays and 61 yards later when Jhe'Quay Chretin rushed in from six-yards out, AU led 14-7.
- AU would score on their next two possessions on a fourth-down 15-yard touchdown run from Swanson and an 18-yard strike from Swanson to Ty Pruett.
- After one quarter, AU led 28-7.
- Following an interception from Ernesto Ramirez and on the first play of the second quarter, Swanson hit Pruett from 41-yards out and AU led 35-7.
- A Ben Slatcoff interception stopped the next Rockford drive, the third pick of the day for the AU defense to that point.
- The offense had penalties back up the ensuing drive and an interception set-up Rockford deep in AU territory.
- Four plays later on a third and goal from the AU one yard line, Rockford's quarterback was pressured and threw a pass right into the waiting arms of Spartan Conner Nordmeyer just inside the goaline. Nordmeyer sped away from the pack and 100-yards later celebrated the second consecutive week the AU defense posted a 100-yard pick six and the second straight year AU has one against Rockford. Watch the Pick Six (view now). The score put AU up 42-7.
- Spartan Ziah-Mikale Smith intercepted the fifth ball of the first-half on the next possession for AU.
- The offense needed seven plays to drive 74 yards in 2:48 with Swanson hitting Trey Madsen from 11-yards out and AU led 49-7.
- On the next Rockford drive, Ernesto Ramirez grabbed his second interception of the day and he dashed 63-yards before his pick-six attempt was stopped.
- AU just missed scoring as the half ended with Swanson hitting Cameron Moore for 28-yards down to the four yard line as time expired.
- The Spartans led 49-7.
- After halftime, Jhe'Quay Chretin took his first touch of the half 59 yards for the score and AU led 56-7.
- A three-and-out was posted by the defense and Chretin took the first play 29 yards for another touchdown.  A 29-yard punt return by James Mautino set-up the drive.
- Ian Luyando scored a rushing touchdown on the next AU possession and AU led 70-7 midway through the third quarter.
- AU pounded the ball in the fourth quarrter and ran off nearly 10 minutes of game clock while taking a knee on the final drive to win 70-7.
 

Rushing:
 - Carries: Ta'vion Geanes (9) and Jhe'Quay Chretin (8)
 - Yards: Jhe'Quay Chretin (139)
- Touchdowns: Jhe'Quay Chretin (3)
Passing:
- Josh Swanson (17-of-24 for 294 yards with four touchdowns)
Receiving:
 - Catches: Trey Madsen and Ty Pruett (4)
 - Yards:  Cameron Moore (87) and Ty Pruett (81)
 - Touchdowns: Ty Pruett (2)
Defense:
- Tackles: Marcellus Romious (9) and Cason Burress (6)
- Sacks: Marcellus Romious (1.0)
- Interceptions: Conner Nordmeyer and Ernesto Ramirez (2), Ziah-Mikale Smith and Ben Slatcoff (1)
- Touchdown: Conner Nordmeyer (1 - 100 yard pick six)