The Aurora University Spartan football team came up just short in a back and forth high scoring contest at Spartan Athletic Park against Concordia University Wisconsin. AU would fall to the Falcons 54-45.


FINAL SCORE: Concordia University Wisconsin 54, Aurora University 45
LOCATION: Montgomery, Illinois - Spartan Athletic Park
RECORDS: Aurora University 4-3 overall and 3-2 NACC
GAME TIME: 2:48
ATTENDANCE: 853


- The AU defense forced a three and out on the first series of the game and a 17-yard return on the punt by Sterling Williams set up the offense at the CUW 46.
- It took the Spartans just six plays to find the end zone with Liam Mickle hitting Liam Svoboda for the score and a 7-0 lead.
- The defense forced another CUW punt and the Spartans were driving when a fumble at the CUW 33 was recovered by the Falcons.
- CUW took advantage of the sudden change of possession and tied the game 7-7.
- This was the start of a wild scoring run with a short kickoff and a 36-yard return from Lucious Dones setting up AU at the CUW 43.
- Four plays later, Mickle found Dones for a score and a 14-7 AU lead.
- The second quarter would see 31 points scored in a wild 15 minutes of action.
- After CUW scored but missed the PAT, AU answered right back.
- TJ Ramsey capped off a 12-play 60-yard drive with a seven yard touchdown for a 21-13 lead.
- Just five plays later CUW scored and converted on a two-point try to tie the game 21-21.
- On the first play of the next AU drive, a Mickle pass went through a Spartan receiver and deflected into a Falcon defenders arms.
- The visitors would drive 60-yards down field and take a 28-21 lead.
- The Spartans were not done though as their drive began with 24 seconds left on the first-half clock.
- As time expired, Spartan kicker Brett Money booted a 45-yard field goal to send the teams to halftime with AU down 28-24.
- The wild game would continue in the third quarter with AU taking the second-half kickoff and driving 67-yards in seven plays.
- Liam Mickle scored from nine yards out and AU led once again 31-28.
- CUW answered with a scoring drive to regain the lead at 35-31 with over nine minutes left in the third.
- AU's offense was not done as they had an answer with a six-play, 66-yard drive capping off with a Sterling Williams one-yard score and a 38-35 lead.
- The Spartan defense stiffened on the next drive, forcing a CUW punt which was mishandled by the punter and giving AU the ball at the 22 yard line.
- Three plays later Ramsey scored from 12-yards out and AU led 45-35.
- AU led by 10 going to the fourth quarter.
- On the first play of the fourth, CUW scored on a 76-yard touchdown pass but AU still led 45-42.
- Following a turnover on downs inside CUW territory by the Spartan offense, CUW scored but again missed the pat for a 48-45 score.
- The next AU possession was another turnover on downs with a Mickle pass to Dones on fourth down being a toe length from being complete as the toe of the shoe was out of bounds for a first-down.
- CUW once again drove the field in response, going 10-plays and expanding the AU deficit to 54-45.
- AU did not have enough time for a comeback and fell 54-45.


Rushing:
 - Carries: TJ Ramsey (13) and Liam Mickle (12)
 - Yards: Liam Mickle (88)
 - Touchdowns: TJ Ramsey (2), Liam Mickle and Sterling Williams (1)
Passing:
- Liam Mickle (22-36-1 for 279 yards and two touchdowns)
Receiving:
 - Catches: Lucious Dones, Connor Bright and Dominick Coronado (5)
 - Yards: Connor Bright (118)
 - Touchdowns: Ethan Svoboda and Lucious Dones (1)
Defense:
- Tackles: Rahmello Law and Ty Hopp (8)
- Sacks: Logan Lawson and JP Chaney (1.0)
 

Next action for the Spartan football team comes on Saturday, November 1 when they travel to Wisconsin Lutheran College. Game time is set for 1:00 p.m. in Milwaukee Wisconsin.