The Aurora University Spartan football team returned to Spartan Athletic Park to kick of their 2023 season against Hope College Saturday afternoon. The Spartans trailed 3-0 early but stormed off and won 38-17 in front of a capacity crowd including members of the 1992 AU football team.


FINAL SCORE: Aurora University 38, Hope College 17
LOCATION: Spartan Athletic Park - Montgomery, Illinois
RECORDS: Aurora University 1-0
GAME TIME: 2:55


- AU was forced to punt on their first possession and Hope answered with a scoring drive on a 27-yard field goal.
- The Spartans answered fast in four plays going 67 yards in 1:52 to take a 7-3 lead. Ian Luyando hit Michael Boland on the touchdown strike from 12 yards out.
- After the defense stoned the Hope offense and forced a punt the offense struck again.
- This time they drove 75 yards down the field in 12-plays capped off by a Luyando to Jhe'quay Chretin six-yards scoring strike. 
- After the Matthew Hylek pat, AU led 14-3 late in the first quarter.
- The second quarter was scoreless with the AU defense forcing two punts, a turnover on downs and Ben Slatcoff collected the first interception of the season.
- AU had scoring chances but missed a 42-yard field goal and had a fumble at the Hope two yard line.
- Heading to halftime, AU led 14-3.
- The third quarter flew by with Hope controlling the ball for 10:32 of the 15 minutes but the AU defense forced a punt.
- AU scored on their only possession with three points coming on a 45-yard field goal from Matthew Hylek.
- After three quarters, AU led 17-3.
- Two plays into the fourth quarter Hope scored to cut the AU lead to 17-10. The score started off a track meet of a fourth that saw 35 combined points scored.
- Refreshed after a Hope drive that lasted 8:38, the Spartans needed just 1:19 to answer back. Jhe'Quay Chretin scampered 48 yards to the endzone to put AU ahead 24-10.
- The Spartan defense forced a punt on the next Hope possession and it took Luyando and the AU offense one play to score again. Luyando hit Ty Pruett from 56-yards out and AU now led 31-10.
- Hope cut into the lead just 56 second later with AU now leading 31-17.
- Ty Hopp ended the next Hope drive with an interception of his own with 4:22 left in the game.
- Chretin capped off a 43-yard drive with a three-yard score and a 38-17 lead. The big play of the drive was a 36 yard connection between Luyando and Connor Bright.
- The defense held firm on the final Hope drive and set up the victory formation and a 38-17 AU win.


Rushing:
 - Carries: Jhe'Quay Chretin (19)
 - Yards: Jhe'Quay Chretin (145) and Ian Luyando (105)
- Touchdowns: Jhe'Quay Chretin (2)
Passing:
-  Ian Luyando (15-25-0 for 184 yards and two touchdowns)
Receiving:
 - Catches: Ty Pruett (6) and Jhe'Quay Chretin (3)
 - Yards: Ty Pruett (101)
 - Touchdowns: Ty Pruett, Michael Boland and Jhe'Quay Chretin (1)
Defense:
- Tackles: Marcellus Romious (9) and Connor Nordmeyer (8)
- Sacks: Isaiah Perrin (1)
- Interceptions: Ben Slatcoff and Ty Hopp (1)
 

Next action for the Spartan football team comes on Saturday, September 9 when they travel to Franklin College. Kick-off is slated for 1:30 p.m. (est) / 12:30 p.m. (cst) in Franklin, Indiana.