Spartans Win Illini-Badger Football Conference Opener in Impressive Fashion

AURORA, Ill. September 22, 2007 - The Aurora University Spartan football team notched its first win of the season on Saturday afternoon as they beat the MacMurray College Highlanders 47-0 in the Illini-Badger Football Conference opener at AU Field.

The win pushes Aurora’s record to 1-2 overall and 1-0 in the IBFC, while MacMurray falls to 0-3 overall and 0-1 in the IBFC.

Aurora would score early and often in the opening quarter of play, with AU sophomore running back Ryne Reder scoring three times in the opening frame on 13 ruches and 100 yards.

Aurora got on the board on its opening possession as Reder pushed in a two yard run to put the Spartans up 7-0 with 9:09 left to play.

The Spartan defense forced MacMurray to a quick three and out and with six and a half minutes left in the first quarter, Reder again found the end zone, this time he broke away for a 69 yard touchdown run.

A little over a minute later, after another Highlander three and out, Reder scored again, this time from four yards out, making the score 20-0. The score was set up by a fantastic punt return by freshman Sean Saglin. Saglin’s 43 yard return set up the AU offense at the MacMurray four yard line.

Both teams traded possessions as MacMurray was able to stop Aurora on the fourth possession on an interception by freshman defensive back Josh Davidson. But on the Highlanders first play, freshman running back Chris Booker fumbled the football on a hit by Spartan linebacker Mike Budzinski. AU defensive end Mike DeVries scooped up the loose ball in the end zone to widen the Aurora lead to 27-0.

The second quarter saw Aurora score once on a Reder one yard touchdown run and Aurora took a 34-0 lead to halftime.

With 2:27 left in the third quarter, senior fullback Brent Harner broke away for a 10-yard touchdown run. His TD made the score 41-0 in favor of Aurora. And with 13:30 left in the fourth quarter, junior running back Jeff Fellers capped off the Spartan scoring with a one-yard touchdown run.

For the day, the Spartan offense finished with 309 yards rushing on 55 carries and 448 total yards of offense. A stingy Aurora defense held MacMurray to 103 total yards on 51 plays.

Offensively for Aurora, Reder finished with 153 yards on 23 carries and four touchdowns, Fellers had 13 carries for 70 yards and one touchdown.

Defensively, AU was led by junior linebacker Chris Jackowiak (eight tackles, one and one-half quarterback sacks, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery), Mike Budzinski (five tackles, one quarterback sack and one forced fumble), and Mike DeVries one tackle and one fumble recovery for a touchdown).

MacMurray was led by Robert Brooks 38 yards on 13 carries and Tobias Alaribe (ten tackles and one and one half quarterback sacks).