The Aurora University football team returns home for week two of the 2024 season when host No. 1 North Central College at Spartan Athletic Park in Montgomery, Illinois on Saturday, September 14. Game time is set for a 6:00 p.m. kickoff.  

Watch the game action - 
- The game can be seen live using live stats or live video

All-Time Series - AU vs. North Central College

• The teams last met September 11, 2021. North Central defeated AU 64-7, in the first meeting between the two squads in more than 80 years.
• This is the 10th football meeting between the two institutions and just the second in the last 88 years. 
• AU won the first meeting between the schools in 1899, 6-0.
   

About the Aurora University Spartans –

• AU is 1-0 on the 2024 season, following a 33-21 win at University of Dubuque
• The Spartan offense had 525 yards with 313 in the passing game in the victory.
• Defensively, AU forced three turnovers, all interceptions.
• AU has won 20 straight regular season contests.
• Head Coach Don Beebe is 43-8 in five-plus seasons at AU.
• The Spartans are picked to repeat as NACC champions and are a perfect 34-0 in the previous five years.

Spartan Key Performers - 

• Tyler Adkins threw for 294 yards on 22-of-40 passing with a touchdown passing, two interceptions and a touchdown on the ground.
• Zackery Russell rushed for 91 yards.
• Ty Pruett caught four passes for 75 yards and two touchdowns.
• Andrew Nordland led the AU defense with 18 tackles (13 solo) and an interception. 
• Quintarius Davis had an interception which he returned for a touchdown to seal the win.
• Cooper Winslow connected on his first two collegiate field goals and earned Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference Special Teams Player of the Week.

National Rankings: 

• The Spartans are ranked No. 14 and North Central is ranked No. 1 in the D3football.com Top 25 Poll. 
• AU is ranked No. 13 and North Central No. 1 in the AFCA Coaches Poll.

About the North Central College Cardinals –

• North Central takes the field for the first time since falling in the NCAA Division III national championship in 2023. 
• The Cardinals return 13 starters from the 2023 season. 
• North Central was picked as the favorite to win its 18th CCIW Championship, receiving eight of 10 first place votes in the annual preseason coaches’ poll.
• North Central has won 36 straight regular season contests.
• NCC quarterback Luke Lehnan won the 2023 Gagliardi Trophy.

Up Next for the Spartans - 

• The Spartans return home for the 2024 NACC opener on Saturday, September 21. AU will host St. Norbert College at Spartan Athletic Park with a kick-off is slated for 1:00 p.m. in Montgomery, Illinois.