The Aurora University Spartan football team opened the 2024 season in Dubuque, Iowa where they took on the University of Dubuque Spartans. AU would overcome a sluggish start to the game, scoring 24 straight points in the second and third quarters to eventually win 33-21. A pick-six from Quintarius Davis in the fourth quarter sealed the road win.


FINAL SCORE: #15 Aurora University 33, University of Dubuque 21
LOCATION: Dubuque, Iowa
RECORDS: Aurora University 1-0
GAME TIME: 3:15


- The AU Spartans needed to play come from behind after falling behind 14-3 in the first quarter.
- AU would score 24 unanswered points in the second and third quarters, tying the game before halftime and taking a lead early in the third quarter on a Tyler Adkins touchdown run.
- A pick-six from Quintarius Davis later in the fourth quarter sealed the AU victory pushing a 27-21 lead to 33-21.
- AU was forced to punt on their first possession and Dubuque answered with a scoring drive on a 17-yard touchdown.
- After both teams traded punts, the AU Spartans would see Cooper Winslow connect on a 36-yard field goal to put AU on the board.
- Dubuque scored on a long touchdown on the ensuing drive and AU trailed 14-3.
- As the AU running game got the Spartans settled down, another Winslow field goal capped off a drive early in the second and AU trailed 14-6.
- Midway through the second, Tyler Adkins came in at quarterback and drove the AU offense to the Dubuque eight-yard line but AU was unable to score and turned the ball over on downs.
- The AU defense held and a bobbled punt snap caused a short punt and the AU offense was set up at the Dubuque 17.
- On the first play, Adkins hit Ty Pruett on a 17-yard touchdown and then found Trey Urwiler on the two-point conversion and the game was tied 14-14.
- AU defensive back Jeremy Thomas intercepted the next play from Dubuque at midfield to give the offense the all again.
- After driving down field, an Adkins pass was intercepted in the end zone to nullify the scoring attempt.
- Dubuque then drove down field but Andrew Nordland intercepted a pass in the end zone to end that drive,
- The teams would head to halftime tied 14-14.
- On their first possession of the third quarter, Adkins connected on back to back passes with Avron Carter for 39 yards. Adkins then dashed 10 yards into the end zone on the third play for a touchdown. AU now led 21-14.
- The AU offense stayed hot on the next possession, driving 80-yards in nine plays with the last play being a 10-yard pitch and catch between Adkins and Pruett. AU led 27-14 after a missed pat.
- The uptempo Dubuque offense would not go away as they scored early in the fourth to cut the AU lead to 27-21.
- Midway through the fourth and still leading by six, AU's Kevin Carden-Landa punted Dubuque inside their 15-yard line.
- On the second play of the Dubuque drive, an AU defensive lineman deflected a pass that found the awaiting hands of Quintarius Davis. Davis scampered 20 yards into the end zone and AU led 33-21.
- The AU defense held strong on the next drive which allowed the offense to run out the remaining 2:03 of game time and AU was victorious 33-21. 


Rushing:
 - Carries: Zachery Russell (18)
 - Yards: Zachery Russell (91)
- Touchdowns: Tyler Adkins (1)
Passing:
- Tyler Adkins (22-40-2 for 294 yards and two touchdowns)
- Ian Luyando (3-15-0 for 19 yards)
Receiving:
 - Catches: Trey Urwiler (8) and Avron Carter (5)
 - Yards: Avron Carter (105)
 - Touchdowns: Ty Pruett (2)
Defense:
- Tackles: Andrew Nordland (18) and Ty Hopp (8)
- Sacks: Jaylen Jordan and Deuce Moore (0.5)
- Interceptions: Quintarius Davis, Jeremy Thomas and Andrew Nordland (1)
- Touchdowns: Quintarius Davis (1)
 

Next action for the Spartan football team comes on Saturday, September 14 when they host No. 1 North Central College. Kick-off is slated for 6:00 p.m. at Spartan Athletic Park in Montgomery, Illinois.