Damaschke accounts for 606 yards and 6 TDs, Football rolls past Aurora

AURORA, Ill. – Quarterback Austin Damaschke led an offensive onslaught against Aurora University on Saturday afternoon, as Concordia University Wisconsin rolled to an impressive 62-24 victory over Aurora University at Vago Field.

The Falcons set a NACC record with 754 total offensive yards, while Damaschke set a conference and CUW record with 606 total offensive yards. It took four possessions before CUW found a rhythm and then scored touchdowns on nine of its next 13 drives, including three-consecutive scores twice. The Falcons also found the end zone on 7-of-8 red zone opportunities.

CUW trailed 14-0 midway through the first quarter before stepping on the gas and outscoring AU 62-10 over the next three-and-a-half quarters. They did most of their damage on the ground with 337 yards and a school record seven rushing touchdowns, which also tied a NACC single-game record. In all, four different Falcons found the end zone with their feet and two ran for over 100 yards.

The 62 points scored were the second most in a NACC game for the Falcons, while they accumulated 832 all-purpose yards. In addition, the defense played well with three interceptions, a fumble recovery and forced the Spartans to punt seven drives.

Damaschke (senior, Bristol, Wis.) finished with 417 yards passing and two touchdowns, but did most of the damage with his feet, as he ended with a career-high 189 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns. He averaged a stellar 7.3 yards per rush and recorded a career-long rush of 42 yards.

Senior Shay Klitzke (Annandale, Minn.) also made a statement rushing the football with 113 yards and a touchdown. He also caught two passes for 32 yards, which gave him a career-best 145 all-purpose yards. Junior Austin Padilla (Oshkosh, Wis.) and freshman Aaron Nixon (North Praire, Wis.) also found the end zone running.

Senior Garrett Wenzelburger (Hartland, Wis.) led all receivers with nine receptions for 160 yards, while sophomore Derrick Estfan (Phoenix, Ariz.) and senior Dylan Krivoshein (Cedarburg, Wis.) each made touchdown grabs. Sophomore Adedeji Giwa (Streamwood, Ill.) hauled in his first career reception and ended with three catches for 40 yards.

Defensively, the Falcons intercepted a season-best three passes and helped the offense score 14 points off turnovers. Junior Aaron Krapfl (Anamosa, Iowa), sophomore Bryan Thomas (Lowell, Ind.) and freshman Jonathan Fowler (Joliet, Ill.) each picked off a pass to end Spartan drives. Senior Brett Waldorf (Hartford, Wis.) led the team with seven solo tackles, while sophomore Cody Furey (Cedarburg, Wis.) ended with a career-high five tackles (three solo).

CUW's defensive unit was impressive to say the least, as AU was held to less than eight yards on nine of its first 11 drives, including three drives with negative yards. On the other side of the ball, the Falcons scored touchdowns on drives sustaining 50 yards or more seven times.

The Falcons step away from NACC play on Saturday, Oct. 18 with a non-conference game at Trine University. Game time is scheduled for 12 p.m. CDT.