Aurora 24, Lakeland 6
Nov 15, 2008
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Aurora
NATHC Lakeland
NATHC This press release was issued by one of the competing schools. It has not necessarily been reviewed or edited by D3football.com.
AURORA, Ill. — Spartans Secure Inaugural Northern Athletics Conference TitleNATHC Lakeland
NATHC This press release was issued by one of the competing schools. It has not necessarily been reviewed or edited by D3football.com.
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The Aurora University Spartans secured the 2008 Northern Athletics Conference football conference title and a bid in the NCAA Division II Playoffs on Senior Day at Vago Field in Aurora with a 24-6 victory over the Lakeland College Muskies.
The Spartans struck first, as sophomore kicker Ryan Subick nailed a 29 yard field goal on AU’s opening drive to put the Spartans in the lead 3-0.
The bitter rivals, behind tough defenses, would go on to trade possessions throughout the rest of the 1st quarter and into the 2nd quarter until Spartan sophomore quarterback Nate Peterson connected with senior wide receiver Cory Cowan for a 20 yard score, increasing the Spartan lead to 10-0 going into halftime.
Following a Lakeland interception early in the 3rd quarter, the Spartans quickly capitalized on the ensuing drive, as Peterson again found Cowan, this time for a 15 yard score, putting AU in the lead 17-0.
After another Lakeland interception at the end of the 3rd quarter, the Spartans put together a six minute, 80 yard drive as Peterson found junior wide receiver Zach Sitter on a 19 yard pass, putting the Spartans in the lead 24-0 and ending any hope of a Muskie comeback.
On the day, the Spartan offense accumulated 334 yards of total offense, as Peterson passed for 126 yards and three touchdowns on 10 of 22 attempts. With the three touchdowns, Peterson set the AU single season touchdown passes record with 20 for the year.
Other top Spartan performers included junior running back Jeff Fellers, who rushed for 102 yards on 21 attempts, and Cowan, who caught four passes for 75 yards and two touchdowns.
The Spartan defense was solid all day. For the game, they limited the Muskie offense to a mere 41 yards rushing and ten first downs.
Senior defensive tackle Marcus Goedken and junior defensive end Pat Funk each had seven tackles, and senior defensive back Matt Meyer had two interceptions. Funk added one and one-half sacks to his team high total.
With the win, the Spartans improve to 9-1 (7-0 NAC) and tie the program mark for best overall record, while the Muskies fall to 5-5 (5-2 NAC). The Spartans will await word on their opponent for the first round of the NCAA Playoffs. The NCAA Division III Championship with the announcement coming on Sunday, November 16, 2008 at approximately 2:00 p.m.
Press release submitted by Aurora on Nov 15, 2008 at 04:59 PM Eastern