https://www.d3football.com en-us https://www.d3football.com/playoffs/2023/aurora-lighting-things-up-on-defense The Spartans needed a pick-me-up from the defensive side of the ball on Saturday and got it, as the defense allowed no points and had seven takeaways against Coe. And Don Beebe, the former NFL wide receiver-turned D-III head coach, couldn't be happier. Brian Lester has more in a Road to Salem feature. Tue, 21 Nov 2023 05:00:00 GMT https://www.d3football.com/playoffs/2023/aurora-lighting-things-up-on-defense https://www.d3football.com/seasons/2023/contrib/202310030fg4f0 In recognition of Student Athlete Mental Health Week, the Aurora University and Concordia University Chicago football programs are proud to be teaming up with Hilinski’s Hope to raise awareness and break the stigma around mental health. The Spartans and Cougars are slated for a Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference contest on Saturday, October 7 with a 1:00 p.m. kickoff in River Forest, Illinois. Wed, 04 Oct 2023 04:00:00 GMT https://www.d3football.com/seasons/2023/contrib/202310030fg4f0 https://www.d3football.com/notables/2023/04/d3fb-camp-invites Division III football players were shut out of the NFL draft once again, but Chris Toth, who has been watched by scouts for at least two seasons, got a minicamp invite from the Bears, Ike Irabor got a call from the Giants, and Travis Sinclair heard from the Vikings. And they're not alone. Tue, 02 May 2023 04:00:00 GMT https://www.d3football.com/notables/2023/04/d3fb-camp-invites https://www.d3football.com/playoffs/2022/we-are-all-mount-union Mount Union is no longer alone at the top. They’re peering through the glass at the champions like everyone else. But as Keith McMillan and Greg Thomas write, perhaps the Division III landscape is forever different, and the next North Central could come from various places. Sat, 24 Dec 2022 05:00:00 GMT https://www.d3football.com/playoffs/2022/we-are-all-mount-union https://www.d3football.com/playoffs/2022/beebe-has-aurora-believing The Spartans have woven the hustle, determination, and never-say-die traits of their coach, former Buffalo Bills wide receiver Don Beebe, into their DNA, so perhaps it should be no surprise that their third consecutive playoff trip resulted in a first-round win. Joe Sager has more. Tue, 22 Nov 2022 05:00:00 GMT https://www.d3football.com/playoffs/2022/beebe-has-aurora-believing https://www.d3football.com/notables/2022/07/lakefront-bowl-comes-to-wisconsin The midwest is getting a second Division III football bowl game, following on the success of the Culver's Isthmus Bowl in 2021. Mon, 18 Jul 2022 04:00:00 GMT https://www.d3football.com/notables/2022/07/lakefront-bowl-comes-to-wisconsin https://www.d3football.com/notables/2021/12/gagliardi-finalists-announced Three quarterbacks, one wide receiver and a safety make up the five finalists for the 2021 Gagliardi Trophy, an award presented by Jostens to the most outstanding football player in NCAA Division III. Thu, 09 Dec 2021 05:00:00 GMT https://www.d3football.com/notables/2021/12/gagliardi-finalists-announced https://www.d3football.com/columns/features/2021/aurora-comes-full-circle After going toe-to-toe with St. John's and getting blown away by defending national champ North Central, Aurora has gone about its business and is back in the playoffs. Brian Lester has more. Thu, 11 Nov 2021 05:00:00 GMT https://www.d3football.com/columns/features/2021/aurora-comes-full-circle https://www.d3football.com/notables/2019/11/gagliardi-semifinalists-announced Nearly 30 players were nominated, but only 12 get to the semifinal stage. Who are they? Read up on the players, then cast your fan ballot for the top all-around student-athlete in Division III football. Tue, 26 Nov 2019 05:00:00 GMT https://www.d3football.com/notables/2019/11/gagliardi-semifinalists-announced https://www.d3football.com/seasons/2019/contrib/20191013k1l55t The Aurora University Spartan football team returned to Spartan Stadium ar Spartan Athletic Park on Saturday afternoon against Concordia University Chicago. The outcome looked very familiar to AU fans as the Spartans were victorious 63-27 behind another day of records falling by the offense. Quarterback Gavin Zimbelman set the single season record for touchdown passes while Jacolby Maxwell set the single season record for touchdown receptions. Sat, 12 Oct 2019 04:00:00 GMT https://www.d3football.com/seasons/2019/contrib/20191013k1l55t https://www.d3football.com/seasons/2019/contrib/2019100672ok5i Aurora University celebrated homecoming 2019 on campus while the Spartan football team took on the visitors from Eureka College and won 62-35. AU continued to put up impressive numbers all over the field. AU welcomed pro football hall of fame coach Marv Levy as he tossed the coin in a pregame festivity. Sat, 05 Oct 2019 04:00:00 GMT https://www.d3football.com/seasons/2019/contrib/2019100672ok5i https://www.d3football.com/columns/features/2019/aurora-balling-out-for-beebe Don Beebe wasn’t sure what to expect from an offensive standpoint in 2019 as he watched film after being hired at Aurora last winter. Then spring ball rolled around. And now the Spartans have won a couple of games early. Brian Lester has more in a D3football.com feature. Thu, 26 Sep 2019 04:00:00 GMT https://www.d3football.com/columns/features/2019/aurora-balling-out-for-beebe https://www.d3football.com/seasons/2019/contrib/20190908ezu5rv The Aurora University Spartans hosted #25 St. Norbert College in the 2019 season opener on Saturday afternoon at Spartan Stadium. In the first game under new Head Coach Don Beebe, the Spartans had a record setting day from quarterback Gavin Zimbelman and the AU offense enroute to a 50-40 victory. Sun, 08 Sep 2019 04:00:00 GMT https://www.d3football.com/seasons/2019/contrib/20190908ezu5rv https://www.d3football.com/seasons/2018/contrib/201811156rlobm AURORA, Ill. – Nov. 15, 2018 – Aurora University is pleased to announce National Football League (NFL) legend Don Beebe as the Spartans football new head coach, effective immediately. Beebe, highly regarded by coaches, players and fans for his strong character, robust work ethic and perseverance, embodies Aurora University Athletics’ core values of academic success, social responsibility and athletic championships. Thu, 15 Nov 2018 05:00:00 GMT https://www.d3football.com/seasons/2018/contrib/201811156rlobm https://www.d3football.com/notables/2018/12/beebe-named-as-new-head-coach-for-aurora Don Beebe, who played wide receiver in the NFL for nine seasons, will replace Rick Ponx, who was fired after a 5-5 season. Tue, 13 Nov 2018 05:00:00 GMT https://www.d3football.com/notables/2018/12/beebe-named-as-new-head-coach-for-aurora https://www.d3football.com/awards/playoftheweek/2017/week8 Balance, skill, spin -- this is exactly where a dance class might come in handy, football players. Watch how this return man stays off the turf in the D3football.com Play of the Week. Mon, 23 Oct 2017 04:00:00 GMT https://www.d3football.com/awards/playoftheweek/2017/week8 https://www.d3football.com/notables/2017/08/eureka-football-join-nacc-2018 Multiple sources tell D3sports.com that the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference will be adding an eighth school for football starting next fall. Thu, 03 Aug 2017 04:00:00 GMT https://www.d3football.com/notables/2017/08/eureka-football-join-nacc-2018 https://www.d3football.com/awards/playoftheweek/2016/week11 With a conference title on the line and a senior class looking to go out with a bang, sometimes it takes extreme measures. What this senior did is the D3football.com Play of the Week! Mon, 14 Nov 2016 05:00:00 GMT https://www.d3football.com/awards/playoftheweek/2016/week11 https://www.d3football.com/seasons/2013/contrib/201312160w4tb5 Aurora University announced today that former North Central assistant Rick Ponx has been named its new head football coach. Mon, 16 Dec 2013 05:00:00 GMT https://www.d3football.com/seasons/2013/contrib/201312160w4tb5 https://www.d3football.com/notables/2012/07/berry-hires-former-aurora-coach Rich Duncan spent seven seasons as head coach at Aurora, but won't coach another game until 2013, when Berry takes the field with Duncan as offensive coordinator. Thu, 12 Jul 2012 04:00:00 GMT https://www.d3football.com/notables/2012/07/berry-hires-former-aurora-coach https://www.d3football.com/notables/2011/11/miaa-nathc-challenge The Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association and Northern Athletics Conference have announced they will launch a "Challenge Series" in football that will pit member schools from the two conferences against each other, beginning with the 2012 season. Thu, 24 Nov 2011 05:00:00 GMT https://www.d3football.com/notables/2011/11/miaa-nathc-challenge https://www.d3football.com/columns/around-the-region/midwest/2011/10-games-to-watch After a summer of debt ceiling debates, earthquakes and hurricanes, thank goodness that football is here. And there will be no shortage of great games in the Midwest this year. Mon, 29 Aug 2011 04:00:00 GMT https://www.d3football.com/columns/around-the-region/midwest/2011/10-games-to-watch https://www.d3football.com/seasons/2010/contrib/20100918knq2f8 The Spartans of Aurora University fell to the Titans of Illinois Wesleyan University 21-14 in the home opener at Vago field despite some late game heroics by the Spartans. The high powered offense of Illinois Wesleyan University traveled to Aurora University Saturday to battle the Spartans. Both teams undefeated entering today's contest with the Titans being the heavy favorite holding an all time record of 4-0. The Spartans were seeking some revenge after a 52-6 loss last season. Sat, 18 Sep 2010 04:00:00 GMT https://www.d3football.com/seasons/2010/contrib/20100918knq2f8 https://www.d3football.com/columns/around-the-region/midwest/2008/aurora-hopes-to-send-seniors-out-with-title Aurora coach Rich Duncan is trying to keep a streak alive and Saturday's home game against the preseason Northern Athletics Conference favorite Concordia (Wis.) could go along way to see if the Spartans will be successful. Tue, 14 Oct 2008 04:00:00 GMT https://www.d3football.com/columns/around-the-region/midwest/2008/aurora-hopes-to-send-seniors-out-with-title