DE PERE - St. Norbert College and Aurora University were locked in a defensive tussle throughout its entire Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference clash, so it was only fitting that a defensive touchdown in the final minute of play proved the difference.
Jim Feeney's 50-yard interception return for a touchdown with 28 seconds remaining lifted the Green Knights to a hard-fought 10-3 win over the Spartans at Schneider Stadium.
Aurora had the ball at its own 41-yard line when Feeney (pictured) jumped an out route in front of the St. Norbert bench at the midfield stripe and raced untouched into the end zone from 50 yards out.
Tyler Juergensen's point-after attempt put the Green Knights ahead 10-3. The Spartans were able to run four plays and reach the 50-yard line before time expired.
A scoreless first period's best scoring chance was a St. Norbert drive to the Aurora 29 before the Green Knights lost possession on downs. Aurora missed a 43-yard field-goal attempt early in the second quarter but Brett Money connected on another 43-yard try for a 3-0 lead with 1 minutes left before halftime.
Aurora lost a fumble at the St. Norbert 33 early in the third quarter and the Green Knights'
Mason Trimberger came up with a big interception on a batted ball at the Green Knights' 4. St. Norbert moved the ball all the way to the Aurora 10 before a pass was intercepted in the end zone by the Spartans.
The Green Knights had a 25-yard field-goal attempt by Juergensen blocked by Aurora with 8:53 remaining. Aurora did nothing on its two possessions sandwiched around a St. Norbert series before the Green Knights got the ball back with 3:34 to go. St. Norbert moved 37 yards in seven plays and Jurgensen's 31-yard field goal was true for a 3-3 tie with 1:01 left.
Aurora had the ball in St. Norbert territory on its final series before a holding penalty on the play pushed the ball back to the Spartans' 41, setting up Feeney's heroics.
Aurora outgained St. Norbert 332-271 in total offense but the Green Knights had possession for 35:28.
Jacob McVane rushed 18 times for 93 yards, while Francisco Rodriguez had 55 yards on 15 carries. Rodriguez completed 7 of 21 passes for 78 yards.
Braden Siri was 12-for-25 passing for 175 yards and two interceptions for Aurora, while Jackson Alcorn was 5-for-16 for 103 yards. The Spartans were held to 35 yards on the ground.
Feeney had a team-high seven tackles, while Trimberger and
John Seitz had six apiece.
Beau Allison had five stops, including 2 1/2 tackles-for-loss and 1 1/2 quarterback sacks. Feeney and Trimberger each had an intereption, while Trimberger had three passed defensed.
