(ST. NORBERT COMMUNICATIONS/WNFL) 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.
Midwest Conference
Lawrence 14, Knox 7
At Galesburg, IL, the Lawrence University football team earned a hard-fought 14-7 victory over Knox College at Stisser Field at Knosher Bowl, powered by a standout performance from running back Tristian Gooden.
Gooden rushed for 109 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries, leading the Vikings’ ground attack as Lawrence overcame an early deficit and shut out the Prairie Fire over the final three quarters. The victory also marked Lawrence’s first win over Knox since 2013 and snapped a 19-game losing streak.
WIAC
UW-Platteville 38, UW-Oshkosh 6
At Oshkosh, the Pioneers piled up 421 yards of offense while holding the Titans to 230 yards.
UW-River Falls 59, UW-Eau Claire 22
At River Falls, Peter McDevitt threw for 217 yards and Austin Rush caught 10 passes for 149 yards in the Falcons’ win over the Blugolds.
UW-Whitewater 63, UW-Stevens Point 0
At Whitewater, Justin Klinkner threw for 309 yards and 4 touchdowns in the Warhawks’ romp over the Pointers.
Darrick Hill added 131 yards rushing for Whitewater.
UW-Stout Polytechnic 42, UW-La Crosse 39
At Menomonie, Blue Devils quarterback Chase Pemberton threw for 281 yards and rushed for 82 more to lead UW-Stout Polytechnic to the win over the Eagles.
Kyle Haas threw for 294 yards and 3 touchdowns for UW-La Crosse.
