Spartan Defense Posts Second Consecutive Shutout

AURORA, Ill. September 29, 2007 - The Aurora University football team improved their season record to 2-2 on Saturday afternoon, as they beat visiting Panthers of Greenville College 16-0. The win takes Aurora’s Illini-Badger Football Conference record to 2-0, while Greenville falls to 1-3 on the season and 0-2 in the IBFC.

The story of the day was the Spartan defense. Led by sophomore linebacker Mike Budzinski (eight tackles), sophomore linebacker Dave Gesiakowski (seven tackles, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery) and junior defensive back Matt Meyer (five tackles and one interception), the AU defense allowed Greenville just 153 total yards on the afternoon and kept Panther quarterback Dominic Kegel under wraps. Kegel managed 162 yards on the day (54 rushing and 108 passing).

The first quarter was dominated by the defenses of both teams, with both teams trading turnovers, Meyer’s interception of Kegel came on the first play of the game. AU and freshman kicker Ryan Subick missed a 22-yard field goal attempt for a 0-0 first quarter score.

Aurora got on the board early in the second quarter, when junior running back Jeff Fellers pounded in a three-yard touchdown run. The touchdown was preceded by a Craig McQuade to Travis Paro strike for 15 yards. The extra point attempt was no good.

Greenville kicker Kyle Sanniec would have two field goal attempts (38 and 41) miss and Aurora took a 6-0 lead into halftime.

Aurora took the second half kick and five minutes into the third quarter, McQuade scampered around the left end en route to a two-yard touchdown run and following the two-point conversion run by Ryne Reder, AU led 14-0. The junior QB had a solid day, going 12 of 21 passing for 126 yards and one interception, while also adding the touchdown run.

Greenville was able to keep the Spartans off the scoreboard as the fourth quarter began, when Aurora was unable to convert on a first and goal from the Greenville eight yard line. The Panther’s defense stiffened and stuffed Reder on four rushing attempts, two from inside the four yard line. Despite not finding the end zone, Reder finished the day as the Spartan offensive workhorse with 30 carries for 129 yards.

The Aurora defense responded, holding the Greenville offense pinned deep in their territory, forcing a punt by Daniel Covert. That is where the day’s scoring would come to a close. The attempted punt near the Greenville goal line resulted in a wild snap that went through the back of the end zone. The safety gave Aurora the 16-0 lead which would hold up as the games final score.

Greenville punter Daniel Covert had a 72 yard punt in the middle of the fourth quarter downed at the AU four yard-line. The punting effort ties an AU Field record which dates back to 1990, when Benedictine University’s Willy Fajkus had a 72 yard punt as well.

The Spartans return to action next Saturday (October 6) as they travel to Wisconsin to take on IBFC foe Concordia University, WI. Game time is set for 1:00 pm in Mequon, WI