The Aurora University Spartan football team was victorious in their final regular season road game of the 2023 season, defeating the Rockford University Regents 77-10. AU scored on 10 of their 11 offensive series and the defense got in on the action with an interception returned for a touchdown.


FINAL SCORE: Aurora University 77, Rockford University 10
LOCATION: Rockford, Illinois
RECORDS: Aurora University 8-0 overall and 6-0 NACC
GAME TIME: 2:39


- AU won the toss, elected to receive and 2:05 into the game scored to lead 7-0.
- Five passes for 69-yards culminated with Ian Luyando hitting Trey Madsen on a 30-yard touchdown score.
- The AU defense forced a Rockford punt and marched downfield in nine-plays and 66 yards in 4:59 for a 14-0 lead.
- Luyando tip-toed his way 30-yards to the end zone for the score.
- Just over a minute later the Spartans added on for a 21-0 lead.
- The AU defense held a quick three and out and on the first play, Luyando hit Michael Boland on a 43-yard touchdown pass and catch.
- AU would lead 21-0 heading to the second quarter.
- In a recurring theme, the AU defense was stout and forced a punt by the Regents.
- The methodical AU offense marched 78 yards downfield in eight plays with Luyando connecting with Connor Bright on a 26-yard touchdown and a 28-0 AU lead.
- The AU defense was only on the field for 21 seconds on the ensuing drive before forcing Rockford to punt once again.
- Five Luyando completions later resulted in another AU touchdown. Another for Madsen, this one from 38-yards. AU now led 35-0.
- Rockford managed a long pass completion on the next drive but the Spartan defense tightened down and forced a field goal which was good.
- Midway through the second, AU led 35-3.
- For the sixth consecutive drive, the Spartans would march right down field on Rockford. Nine plays for 70-yards over 3:35 resulted in Luyando hitting Jhe'Quay Chretin for a 12-yard score and a 42-3 lead.
- AU would lead 42-3 going to halftime but not before Jaylen Jordan blocked a Rockford field goal try just before the half ended.
- The second-half and third quarter would resemble the first-half, the AU defense stopping the Regents and the offense continuing to score.
- On AU's first possession of the second-half, Jhe'Quay Chretin scored on a 14-yard run for a 49-3 lead.
- The defense then got in on the scoring action on the next Rockford drive. Conner Nordmeyer stepped in front of a Regent pass and 60-yards later was celebrating in the end zone and a 56-3 AU lead.
- The Spartan defense forced a turnover on downs and two Chretin runs later of 21 yards he scored for a second-time and AU led 63-3.
- James Mautino set up the offense on the next scoring drive with a 34-yard punt return. Chretin again would score after three carries covering 25 yards. On his final rush he would stiff arm a Regent defender into the end zone for the score and a 70-3 lead.
- Rockford added a score midway through the fourth to cut the AU lead to 70-10.
- Zack Russell and Darius Dickerson carried the load in the final AU drive of the game. AU went 12 rushes for 55 yards and Russell scoring.
- The Spartans would win 77-10.


Rushing:
 - Carries: Jhe'Quay Chretin (16)
 - Yards: Jhe'Quay (138)
- Touchdowns: Jhe'Quay Chretin (3), Ian Luyando and Zack Russell (1)
Passing:
-  Ian Luyando (22-25-0 for 327 yards and five touchdowns)
Receiving:
 - Catches: Trey Madsen (6) and Michael Boland (5) 
 - Yards: Trey Madsen (119) and Michael Boland (108)
 - Touchdowns: Trey Madsen (2), Michael Boland, Jhe'Quay Chretin and Connor Bright (1)
Defense:
- Tackles: Ben Slatcoff (7) and Marcellus Romious (5)
- Forced Fumble: Ben Slatcoff (1)
- Interceptions: Conner Nordmeyer (1)
- Touchdowns: Conner Nordmeyer (1 - 60 yards)
Spacial Teams:
- PATs: Matthew Hylek (11-of-11)
- Blocked Kick: Jaylen Jordan (1)
 

Next action for the Spartan football team comes on Saturday, November 4 when they host Lakeland University. Game time is slated for 1:00 p.m. at Spartan Athletic Park in Montgomery, Illinois.