The Aurora University Spartan football team had the 2023 season come to an end in the second round of the NCAA Division III playoffs. AU fell to University of Wisconsin - LaCrosse 56-35 while once again making program history in the playoffs. For a second consecutive year the Spartans made at least a trip to the second round, winning the first round contest with the 2023 game being the first home game for the Spartans ever.


FINAL SCORE: University of Wisconsin - LaCrosse 56, Aurora University 35
LOCATION: La Crosse, Wisconsin
RECORDS: Aurora University 11-1 overall (8-0 NACC); University of Wisconsin - LaCrosse 11-1 overall (7-0 WIAC)
ATTENDANCE: 1,194


- The Spartans took the opening kickoff and marched 80-yard in 14 plays for a score.
- Tyler Adkins hit Trey Madsen from 11-yards out for the first score of the game.
- Five plays later the AU offense had the ball back after the ball-hawking AU defense and Ernesto Ramirez pick off a UWL pass.
- The Spartans methodically drove 45-yards to the end zone with 12 plays. The 12th play was a one-yard plunge from Jhe'Quay Chretin and AU led 14-0.
- After the defense forced a punt, the Spartans had the ball as the quarter came to an end leading 14-0.
- UWL would score to cut the lead in half with a long touchdown pass.
- On the ensuing kickoff, AU would fumble and give the ball back to UWL who scored to tie the game two-plays later.
- The Spartans would punt the ball back to UWL and on the first play a short pass which was freed by what appeared to be a block in the back (with a flag being thrown). After the 82-yard run, UWL appeared to lead and when the refs conferred and waved off the flag for the block in the back, AU trailed 21-14.
- AU answered right back with a nine-play, 74-yard drive capped off with Adkins finding Michael Boland on a 16-yard pass. Late in the second, the game was tied 21-21.
- Just before the half, UWL scored to take a 28-21 lead going to the intermission.
- UWL received the second-half kick and scored on another long touchdown pass for a 35-21 lead on the Spartans.
- After AU punted back to UWL, the Spartan defense forced another turnover. Conner Nordmeyer intercepted a pass to give AU the ball near midfield.
- Two plays later, a 40-yard pass to Ty Pruett and a 17-yard strike from Adkins to Boland and AU was within one score at 35-28.
- Both teams traded punts as the game headed to the fourth with AU trailing 35-28.
- Early in the fourth, UWL scored to go ahead 42-28 and then after intercepting an AU pass, they would score a short time later to lead 49-28 midway through the fourth.
- Showing the heart of a champion, the Spartans were not done though. A 12-play, 72-yard drive saw Adkins connect with Connor Bright on a 13-yard strike. AU trailed 49-35.
- After an on-side kick was recovered by UWL, the hosts would score the games final touchdown late in the game for the 56-35 final score.


Rushing:
 - Carries: Jhe'Quay Chretin (16) 
 - Yards: Jhe'Quay Chretin (50)
- Touchdown: Jhe'Quay Chretin (1)
Passing:
- Tyler Adkins (37-of-54 for 390 yards with four touchdowns and one interception)
Receiving:
 - Catches: Michael Boland (11) and Trey Madsen (7) 
 - Yards: Michael Boland (137) and Trey Madsen (72)
 - Touchdowns: Michael Boland (2), Trey Madsen and Connor Bright (1)
Defense:
- Tackles: Conner Nordmeyer (10), Christian Bower and Ernesto Ramirez (9)
- Sacks: Isaiah Conteh, Otis Watts and Christian Bower (1.0)
- Interceptions: Ernesto Ramirez and Conner Nordmeyer (1)