Wisconsin Lutheran Unable To Keep Pace With Defending Champion Spartans

AURORA, Ill. (WLCSports.com) - Wisconsin Lutheran College was unable to keep pace with five-time conference champion Aurora on Saturday, falling 62-17 in NACC action at Vago Field.

The Spartans (4-1, 3-0 NACC) scored 34 straight points on five touchdowns to start the game before the Warriors (1-3, 1-1 NACC) found the end zone for the first time on their eighth possession of the contest. Junior quarterback Matthew Davis (Lake Mills, Wis.) found freshman wide receiver Javier Murillo (San Antonio, Texas) for a 16-yard touchdown connection with 7:05 left in the second quarter. The six-play, 60-yard drive was WLC's longest of the first half.

AU answered with a pair of touchdowns later in the second quarter before Wisconsin Lutheran sophomore kicker Arnulfo Ortega (Laredo, Texas) nailed a 36-yard field goal with just 0:06 left before halftime. The Spartans went into the halftime break in front 48-10.

Both team's accounted for the final 21 points of the game in the third quarter. Aurora scored a pair of touchdowns before the Warriors tallied the final points of the game. Sophomore quarterback Nathan LaBorde (Covington, Wash.) found junior wide receiver Trevion Green (Miami, Fla.) for a 59-yard touchdown with 1:32 remaining in the third quarter.

WLC finished with 272 yards of total offense, 266 of which came through the air. Davis through for 163 yards and a score on 10 completions, while LaBorde completed six passes for 103 yards and a touchdown. Murillo caught five passes for 110 yards and a score. Sophomores Savon Goodwin (New Orleans, La.) and KT Thomas (Birmingham, Ala.) led the defense with seven tackles each. 

AU quarterback Josh Swanson threw for 296 yards and six touchdowns, completing 18 of 25 passes. Trey Madsen had six receptions for 139 yards and two touchdowns. Marcellus Romious collected 17 tackles.

Wisconsin Lutheran hosts St. Norbert (3-1, 2-0 NACC) next Saturday, October 8 at Raabe Stadium. Kickoff for the First Responders Day game is scheduled for 1 p.m. Live coverage links will be available at WLCSports.com.