MONTGOMERY, Ill. - St. Norbert College dropped a 37-14 loss to Aurora University in a Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference game at Spartan Athletic Park.
The Green Knights (5-4, 5-2 NACC) were shutout until the fourth quarter when quarterback Michael Meneguzzo threw touchdowns in what was only consolation at the end of the day for St. Norbert.
The Green Knights drove down the field on the opening drive with six completions from Meneguzzo to set up a 39-yard field goal attempt which was blocked by the Spartans. Aurora then drove down the field but was held to a field goal.
St. Norbert was unable to get things going for the rest of the half, as Aurora added a touchdown and another field goal to make it 13-0 at halftime.
Aurora added a third touchdown and a two-point conversion out of the break to make it 21-0. St. Norbert made it all the way to the Aurora redzone on the ensuing 12-play drive, but were ultimately stopped one yard short after a Conner Kelly catch was stopped agonizingly close to the endzone.
Following some field position battling in the third, the Green Knights finally caught a break when Jett Keaskowski intercepted a pass from Liam Mickie at the Aurora 28. Bailey Turenne then caught a pass from Meneguzzo on a 13-yard pass to make it 21-7 with most of the final quarter to play.
Nick Junge forced a fumble from Mickie on the next drive with Payton Ponteras getting the recovery, but in a cruel twist of the fate, the Green Knights fumbled themselves on the following drive after a 16-yard catch from Turenne was negated when the wide reciever fumbled on Aurora's side of the field.
The Spartans added a safety and another touchdown following the fumble to make it 30-7 late into the fourth quarter. William Beres scored St. Norbert's second touchdown of the game with just over a minute remaining, rumbling down the field with a 31-yard touchdown catch.
Aurora outgained St. Norbert 395-282 in total offense. Meneguzzo completed 28 of 47 passes for 219 yards and two touchdowns. Turenne (pictured) caught five passes for 60 yards, while Jacob McVane caught 10 passes for 55 yards. Will Darden led the Green Knights on the ground with 70 yards on nine carries.
Mickie completed 19 of 37 passes for Aurora with one interception. Connor Bright caught six passes for 97 yards while TJ Ramsey led the Spartans in rushing with 126 yards and three touchdowns on 21 carries.
John Seitz led the Green Knights defensively with nine tackles and a half tackle for loss. Keaskowski had five tackles and a tackle for loss along with his interception.
