MONTGOMERY, Ill. (WLCSports.com) – Wisconsin Lutheran College fell behind after a decisive second-quarter surge by Aurora, dropping a 35-9 Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference decision on Saturday at Spartan Athletic Park.
The Warriors (3-4, 1-4 NACC) struck first late in the opening quarter. Following a defensive stop on downs, WLC marched 64 yards over 10 plays, capped by a 24-yard field goal from sophomore
Devin Loehr (San Antonio, Texas) with 2:25 left in the first quarter to take an early 3-0 lead.
The Spartans (3-3, 3-1 NACC) responded by scoring 21 unanswered points in the second quarter. AU took the lead on the first play of a drive when Jackson Alcorn connected with Ethan Svoboda on a 35-yard touchdown pass at the 10:58 mark. After forcing a quick punt, Aurora added to its advantage with a five-play, 41-yard scoring drive finished by a one-yard touchdown run from Alcorn with 7:21 remaining before halftime. The Spartans extended their margin to 21-3 with 4:55 left in the half when Alcorn threw a 17-yard touchdown pass to Lucious Dones to conclude a three-play, 54-yard possession.
AU added to its lead midway through the third quarter on special teams when Tristan Baur returned a punt 52 yards for a touchdown with 7:05 on the clock, pushing the score to 28-3.
Wisconsin Lutheran capitalized on an interception by senior
DeAngelo Amaya (El Paso, Texas) early in the fourth quarter to set up its lone touchdown. Taking over at the Aurora 44-yard line, the Warriors used three plays to cover 44 yards, punctuated by a 13-yard touchdown pass from sophomore
Roman Morales (Fort Worth, Texas) to freshman
Elian Ojeda (Laredo, Texas) at the 9:53 mark. The extra point attempt was blocked, keeping the score at 28-9.
The Spartans sealed the contest with 5:55 remaining when Baur intercepted a fourth-down pass and returned it 76 yards for a defensive touchdown, making the final score 35-9.
WLC outgained AU in total offense, finishing with 317 total offensive yards (124 rushing, 193 passing) across 72 plays. Morales led Wisconsin Lutheran's passing attack, completing 19 of 36 passes for 193 yards and one touchdown with three interceptions. Junior
Carson Koehler (Saginaw, Mich.) paced the ground game with 58 rushing yards on 12 carries, while senior
Jamil Gordon (San Marcos, Texas) hauled in a team-best eight receptions for 83 yards. Defensively, sophomore
Trevor Smith (Lakeland, Fla.) led the Warriors with eight total tackles (six solo).
AU generated 277 total offensive yards (130 rushing, 147 passing) on 59 plays. Alcorn spearheaded the offense, completing 14 of 33 passes for 147 yards and two touchdowns while adding 37 rushing yards and a score on five carries. Demarion Williams led all rushers with 66 yards on 10 carries. Dones was Aurora's leading receiver, catching six passes for 48 yards and a touchdown. Asher Hamby paced the Spartans defense with a game-high 11 tackles (eight solo).
WLC returns home for its final home game of the season next Saturday, October 24, hosting Rockford (0-6, 0-4 NACC) at Raabe Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m., and Wisconsin Lutheran will also celebrate Senior Day.
