Aurora University Football had six Spartans recognized on Wednesday when D3football.com announced the 2024 football All-Region awards. 

To view the complete D3football.com All-Region Team - click here

The 2024 Spartans finished the season with a 9-2 record, a perfect 8-0 in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference and a 2024 NCAA Division III playoff appearance. The champions of the NACC, the AU football team headed to the NCAA Division III Football Championship for the ninth time in program history and fifth consecutive season of the NCAA hosting the playoffs. The Spartans made the 2024 NCAA Division III playoffs, falling in the second round at Hope College 49-21.

First-Team All-Region recognition from D3football.com went to three Spartans. On the offensive side, offensive lineman Matthew Kickel and defensively, defensive lineman Jaylen Jordan and defensive back Quintarius Davis earned the all-region honors. All the Spartans earlier earned First-Team All-Conference selections in the NACC during the 2024 season.

Jordan is now a four-time D3football.com All-Region selection as a defensive tackle, finished the season with 50 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 4-1/2 sacks, five quarter back hurries and an interception which he returned for a touchdown. Jordan was named the 2024 NACC Defensive Player of the Year.

Kickel, a three-time D3football.com All-Region performer now, paved the way for an AU offense that averaged 46.6 points per game, 464.3 yards per game with 294.4 yards passing and 169.9 on the ground in the season. Nationally in the regular season the AU offense ranked seventh in scoring, 16th in total offense, 16th in passing and 18th in first-downs gained. Kickel was named the 2024 NACC Lineman of the Year.

Davis is a first-time All-Region selection and was a previous NACC All-Conference honoree at defensive back. He finished the season with six interceptions with three returned for touchdowns. He added eight pass break-ups, 39 tackles with 4.5 for loss and recovered two fumbles.

Second-Team All-Region honors went to offensive lineman Alston Watts, defensive lineman JP Chaney and defensive back Andrew Nordland.

Watts was the center of the AU offense that averaged 46.6 points per game, 464.3 yards per game with 294.4 yards passing and 169.9 on the ground in the season. Nationally in the regular season the AU offense ranked seventh in scoring, 16th in total offense, 16th in passing and 18th in first-downs gained.

Chaney led the AU defense with nine sacks, has 12.5 tackles for loss, three quarterback hurries, two pass break-ups, one forced fumble, an interception which he returned for a touchdown and 41 tackles. 

Nordland led the AU defense in tackles with 81 on the season to go along with four interceptions, a forced fumble and one pass breakup. Five of the tackles were tackles for loss.