MONTGOMERY, Ill. (WLCSports.com) - Wisconsin Lutheran College had its three-game winning streak stopped by four-time defending conference champion and 15th-ranked Aurora 70-7 on Saturday at Spartan Athletic Park.
The Warriors (3-5, 3-3 NACC) trailed the Spartans (7-0, 5-0 NACC) 14-0 with 9:35 left in the opening quarter before sophomore
Bryce Barbian (Cudahy, Wis.) connected with freshman
Emmitt Hawkins (Cudahy, Wis.) for an 84-yard touchdown to cut the deficit in half.
WLCÂ forced a pair of AU turnovers on consecutive first-quarter possessions, but couldn't produce any points. Aurora, which held a 21-7 lead after one quarter, scored on three straight second quarter drives for a 42-7 halftime advantage.
The Spartans found the end zone on their first three possession of the third quarter, and accounted for the game's final touchdown with less than seven minutes left in the fourth period.Â
Wisconsin Lutheran, which drove into AU territory three times, finished with 175 yards of total offense. Barbian completed 13 of 25 passes for 172 yards and a touchdown. Hawkins had four catches for a season-high 120 yards and a score, his third straight 100-yard receiving game.
Junior
Savon Goodwin (New Orleans, La.) led the Warriors with nine tackles, while sophomore
Layson Handwork (Merritt Island, Fla.) added eight. Graduate student
Jake Antczak (Mukwonago, Wis.) intercepted a pass, forced and recovered a fumble. Junior
Xavion Allen (Royse City, Texas) also picked off a pass.
WLC plays its final two NACC regular season games at home, beginning on Saturday, October 28 against Benedictine (3-3, 3-2 NACC). The First Responders Day kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. Live coverage links will be available at WLCSports.com.
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