The Aurora University Spartan football team opened the 2022 season at Hope College on Saturday afternoon. The Spartans trailed early, gained a good sized lead midway through the game and a last second score by Hope saw the Spartans lose 38-34 in a heartbreaking opener.


FINAL SCORE: Hope College 38, Aurora University 34
LOCATION: Holland, Michigan
RECORDS: Aurora University 0-1 overall; Hope College 1-0 overall
Complete Box Score - View Here


- AU trailed 10-0 after the first quarter of play.
- On the first drive of the second quarter, one that began late in the first, the Spartans found the endzone.
- A 21-yard touchdown strike from Josh Swanson to Trey Madsen capped off a seven-play 80 yard drive.
- After the AU defense forced a three and out, the AU offense struck again to take the lead.
- Another seven play drive finished with Swanson hitting Madsen, this time from 38-yards.
- Leading 14-10 with 2:11 left in the first-half, the Spartan offense went back to work.
- On the fifth play, Swanson hit James Mautino streaking down the right sideline.
- The 13-yard strike put AU up 21-10 going into halftime.
- On the first Spartan possession of the second-half, the Spartan offense continued the scoring momentum.
- Nine plays in four minutes and 64-yards saw Swanson hit Madsen from 12-yards out. The third touchdown connection between Swanson and Madsen put AU up 27-10.
- Hope answered on the first play of their ensuing drive on a 74-yard touchdown pass.
- AU responded on the next offensive play with a 79-yard strike from Swanson to Michael Boland.
- With 7:40 left in the third, AU led 34-17.
- Hope scored on the next possession and the third quarter would end with a 34-24 AU lead.
- Early in the fourth, the AU defense stopped a fourth down from the nine yard line to keep the lead at 34-24.
- AU marched down the field, taking five minutes off the clock but Swanson was intercepted in the endzone on a second down pass play.
- Hope went down field and scored to cut the AU lead to 34-31 with 5:21 to play.
- The Spartans tried to run out the clock and managed to take off over two minutes before punting Hope down to the 17-yard line.
- Hope utilized a 14-play drive that ended with a one-yard touchdown run and AU trailed 38-34 with 32 seconds left in the game.
- A second AU interception sealed the games score at 38-34.
 

Rushing:
 - Carries: Jhequay Chretin (24)
 - Yards: Jhequay Chretin (111)
Passing:
- Josh Swanson (19-of-29 for 320 yards with five touchdowns and two interceptions.
Receiving:
 - Catches: Trey Madsen (8)
 - Yards:  Trey Madsen (132)
 - Touchdowns: Trey Madsen (3)
Defense:
- Tackles: Ben Slatcoff (9) and Ernesto Ramirez (8)
- Interceptions: Connor Nordmeyer (1)