Aurora's Meyer named All-American
AURORA, Ill. -- Aurora University Spartan football senior defensive back Matt Meyer (Yorkville, IL/Yorkville H.S.) was named 2008 D3football.com and Associated Press (AP) Little America Second-Team All-America teams. AU finished the season with a 9-2 overall and 7-0 record in the Northern Athletics Conference.

The Spartans, winners of the inaugural Northern Athletics Conference football championship and a bid to the NCAA Division III Football Championship, lost to Monmouth College (42-13) in the first round of 2008 NCAA Division III Football Championships on Saturday, November 22, 2008.

Meyer was named First-Team All-North Region by D3football.com after leading the AU defense with 60 tackles, 10 interceptions [led Division III] and 12 pass break-ups. With his 10 interceptions, Meyer led Division III in interceptions per game (0.91) while also having the most in the country as well with 10. Additionally, he returned two interceptions for touchdowns, had 273 return yards and blocked two kicks.

The Spartans finished the 2008 season averaging 350.3 yards per game of total offense, 183.6 on the ground, 166.6 through the air and scored 33.5 points per game, while the defensive unit (ranked No. 3 in Division III in total defense) allowed 15.1 points per game, 237.8 yards of total offense, 63.4 on the ground, 174.5 through the air and average 3.7 turnovers per game with a 1.8 turnover margin per game, which led Division III.

AU has set or tied numerous individual and team records this season including wins (nine); points scored (369); fewest yards rushing per game (63.4); lowest yards per carry (2.0); fewest rushing touchdowns allowed (four); interceptions in a season (31); interceptions in a game (seven vs. Wisconsin Lutheran); touchdown passes in a season (21 by Nate Peterson); total offense (1,907 by Peterson); pass completions in a game (26 vs. Monmouth) and season (137 by Peterson); pass attempts in a game (44 vs. Monmouth) and season (268 by Peterson); interceptions in a game (four by Musaraca); interceptions in a season (10 by Meyer); punting average (38.4 by Meyer); extra points in a game (nine by Ryan Subick) and season (49 by Subick); and consecutive extra points made (35 by Subick).

Courtesy of Aurora University, Sports Information Department, December 29, 2008.