Game Leaders
Team Stats
Passing Yards
Rushing Yards
Turnovers
Time of Poss.
WAUWATOSA, Wis. (WLCSports.com) - Wisconsin Lutheran College couldn't keep pace with Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference perennial power and 20th-ranked Aurora in a 45-14 loss on Saturday at Raabe Stadium.
The Warriors (3-2, 2-1 NACC) trailed 10-0 after the first quarter and 24-0 midway through the second after the Spartans scored points on their first four drives of the game. Following an interception from senior Connor Martin (Chino, Calif.) that setup WLC at the AU 48-yard line with 4:31 left in the second quarter, junior Bryce Barbian (Cudahy, Wis.) later found junior Keith Johnson (Amarillo, Texas) for an 18-yard touchdown for its first points of the game.
Graduate student Alan Tavarez (Brown Deer, Wis.) got his hands on an Aurora punt that traveled 14 yards to the Wisconsin Lutheran 40-yard line with just 0:33 seconds left before halftime. Five plays later, Barbian ended the half with a 47-yard touchdown pass to sophomore Emmitt Hawkins (Cudahy, Wis.) and the Warriors found themselves trailing just 24-14 at the break.
WLC forced a pair of Spartans turnovers in the second half, but was unable to sustain an offensive drive over 28 yards across five possessions. AU added 14 points to its total in the third quarter and the final seven with 8:50 left in the fourth to account for the final margin.
Wisconsin Lutheran finished with 214 yards of offense, as Barbian completed 14 of 25 passes for 157 yards and two touchdowns. Hawkins hauled in six catches for 93 yards and a score, while freshman Liam Heiges (Appleton, Wis.) carried 13 times for 43 yards. Senior Savon Goodwin (New Orleans, La.) led all players with 11 tackles as well as a pass break-up. Senior Xavion Allen (Royse City, Texas) added an interception and Martin also recovered a fumble in addition to his first-half pick.
Tyler Adkins threw for 263 yards and five touchdowns for Aurora (4-1, 3-0 NACC), which totaled 560 yards of offense. Ta'vion Geanes and Zackery Russell each rushed for over 100 yards, while Trey Urwiler caught seven passes for 134 yards and two touchdowns. Ty Hopp tallied a team-high six tackles.
The Warriors have a bye next week and return to NACC play on Saturday, October 19 for a 1 p.m. game at Benedictine (3-2, 1-2 NACC). Live coverage links can be found at WLCSports.com.