Falcons respond in critical Homecoming win over Aurora

MEQUON, Wis. – Bathong Pham ran in the game-winning touchdown and Richie Guess made the Falcons biggest play of the game – a forced fumble – during a Concordia University Wisconsin, 34-31, victory over Aurora on Saturday. The win moved the Falcons to 2-0 in Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference play.

THE BASICS
Final Score: Concordia Wisconsin 34, Aurora 31
Location: Tomasini Stadium (Mequon, Wis.)
Records: Concordia Wisconsin 2-3 (2-0 NACC), Aurora 2-3 (1-1 NACC)

HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Falcons stormed out of the gates and scored 21-consecutive points through the first 15 minutes and 29 seconds to own all the momentum. During the offensive outburst, sophomore quarterback Aaron Nixon (North Prairie, Wis.) tallied a pair of 1-yard rushing touchdowns, while sophomore Kevin Folker (Milwaukee, Wis.) hauled in a nice 12-yard touchdown grab.
- The momentum was short lived, however, as Aurora responded with 31 unanswered points through the third quarter to make it a game. The Spartans racked up 180 rushing yards and three touchdowns on the ground during their response. Brandon Evans found pay dirt twice and Jonathan Stokes crossed the goal line as well. Geron Rodgers connected with Peter Rizzie for a 7-yard touchdown strike in the second quarter and Zac Mirabelli booted a 27-yard field goal.
- CUW composed itself and Nixon connected with junior Adedeji Giwa (Streamwood, Ill.) for a 22-yard passing touchdown to cut the deficit to 31-28.
- After forcing Aurora to punt, senior Bathong Pham (Milwaukee, Wis.) took a handoff and scampered 21 yards off right tackle for the game-winning touchdown with 4:09 to play.
- On the Spartans next possession, the game's biggest play was made by sophomore Richie Guess (Home Glen, Ill.) who forced a fumble which was recovered by senior Aaron Krapfl (Anamosa, Iowa). The defensive play resulted in the only turnover of the game.
- The Falcons were forced to punt on the ensuing offensive possession, but held the Spartans to a turnover on downs for their second-straight victory in Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference play.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- After building a 21-0 lead, CUW was limited to five-consecutive punts and a missed field goal during Aurora's 31-0 scoring run. The Falcons scored on back-to-back possessions in the fourth quarter and held the Spartans to three first downs in the final 15 minutes.
- This was the first time this season the Falcons hadn't committed a turnover.
- CUW was limited to 5-of-15 on third-down, but converted both of its fourth-down attempts.
- The Falcons were 3-of-4 in the red zone, but the Spartans also finished 3-of-4 in the red zone.
- Nixon finished 20-of-29 for 226 yards passing and two touchdowns. He also ran for a team-best 83 yards and two touchdowns.
- Junior Derrick Estfan (Phoenix, Ariz.) hauled in five passes for 32 yards, while Giwa ended with four catches for 64 yards and a touchdown. Folker recorded three receptions for 39 yards and a score and junior Logan Hass (Manawa, Wis.) caught three passes.
- Freshman Jacob Mason (Hartford, Wis.) made four extra points and boomed a 51-yard punt.
- Senior Andrew Gatz (Adell, Wis.) tallied 103 all-purpose yards, including 48 on kickoff returns.
- Guess tallied 14 total tackles (11 solo) and junior James Thomsen (Mount Prospect, Ill.) had 10 total tackles (three solo), including two tackles for loss.
- Junior Bryan Thomas (Lowell, Ind.) made nine total tackles (six solo) and sophomore Damon Mull (Hampshire, Ill.) recorded 1.5 tackles for loss.

THE OPPOSITION
- The Spartans rushed for 263 yards on 45 carries (5.8 average) and scored three rushing touchdowns. That effort was the best against the Falcons defense in NACC play.
- Aurora piled on 533 total offensive yards on 86 offensive plays.
- Evans led all players with 122 rushing yards and two touchdowns, while Stokes accumulated 113 yards on the ground and a touchdown.
- Rogers finished 21-of-40 for 270 yards and a touchdown.
- Danny Loguirato was the go-to wide receiver with eight receptions for 160 yards, while Rizzi ended with five grabs for 37 yards and a touchdown.
- Defensively, Cody Patchett led the Spartans with 10 total tackles (six solo), while Anthony Doory had nine total tackles (six solo), including 2.0 tackles for loss and a sack.

NEXT ON THE SCHEDULE
- The Falcons return to the road for a pair of NACC games, the first being on Saturday, Oct. 17 at Benedictine. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 pm.