Spartans Continue Winning Ways With Third Straight on AU Field

AURORA, Ill. October 28, 2006 - The Aurora University football team won its third consecutive game on Saturday afternoon defeating Eureka College 29-14 on a blustery AU Field. The win pushes Aurora’s record to 4-4 and marks the first time all year that AU has been at .500.

Aurora started the scoring early and often and kept pressure on Eureka’s quarterback Ni all day en route to the convincing victory. Spartan running back Ryne Reder led the way as he compiled 162 yards on 26 rushes; his stellar day was highlighted by an 88 yard breakaway TD run in the third quarter. Eureka’s only points came late in the 4th quarter, but it was too little too late and Aurora was able to control the clock to seal the victory.

Aurora opened the game with a nine play, 66-yard drive that consumed 5:19 and was capped off by Reder's first score of the day, a three-yard plunge.

After trading numerous possessions the rest of the first quarter and most of the second, Aurora struck again with 3:21 to play in the first-half. Spartan quarterback Matt McGary hooked up with tight end Ryan Milus for 21-yards and a 13-0 lead after the pat try by Andrew Price was missed.

Eureka attempted to respond before the half, but their drive stalled at the AU 25 as the half expired.

The Spartans held the Red Devils on the opening drive of the second half only to have Eureka punter Kyle Edgar's punt downed at the three-yard line. After gaining nine yards on his first two carries, Reder broke free and galloped 88 yards for the score and extending AU's lead to 19-0.

Both defenses stood strong into the fourth quarter when the Spartan defense took the scoring into their own hands. Eureka quarterback Nick Lindsey was sacked by defensive lineman Marcus Goedken, who forced Lindsey to cough up the football and Brandon McIntosh recovered and scampered nine yards for the score.

Eureka responded immediately and would score on each of their next two possessions. The first scoring strike came from Lindsey to Zach McDade from 19-yards. The PAT was blocked but recovered by Justin Dempsey for the two-point conversion.

The second score came on a Chris Carr 37-yard touchdown reception from Lindsey. The PAT was blocked and returned by AU defensive back Austin Deer for the two-point defensive score. The Deer conversion concluded the scoring at 29-14.

AU out gained Eureka 271 to 253 on the day, with AU rushing for 175 yards and Eureka managing 212 yards through the air in wind gusts that reached 35 to 40 mph at various times during the game.

With the win, Aurora again moves to 4-4 overall and 4-2 in the Illini-Badger while Eureka falls to 0-8 overall and 0-6 in the IBFC.

The Spartans return to action next week as they play host to conference foe Lakeland College. Start time is set at 12:00 p.m. (Noon) on AU Field.