The Aurora University Spartan football team returned to Spartan Stadium at 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.
THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Aurora University 63, Concordia University Chicago 27
LOCATION: Spartan Athletic Park - Montgomery, Illinois
RECORDS: Aurora University 4-1 overall and 2-0 NACC; Concordia University Chicago 3-2 overall and 1-1 NACC
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Spartans scored touchdowns on six of their first seven possessions of the game with the lone possession ending at the conclusion of the first-half.
- AU took the opening kickoff and marched down the field in 11 plays with 67 yards concluding on an 11-yard touchdown pass from Zimbelman to Maxwell.
- The defense took just one play to give the ball back to the offense. Frankie Gordey intercepted a pass on the first play of the game for CUC.
- Two plays later, Zimbelman connected with Colton Jewell on a 24-yard touchdown and AU led 14-0.
- After a CUC score, the offense struck again with the running game dominating the drive. Tyran Bailey ran for 37 yards on the drive with Zimbelman scampering 21 yards for a touchdown and a 21-7 AU lead.
- CUC scored early in the second quarter with AU leading 21-14.
- Zimbelman completed passes to six different Spartans on the next drive before Tyran Bailey scored from three yards out. AU led 28-14.
- The AU defense forced a CUC punt but the offense was pinned deep, starting the drive at their own two yard line.
- Seven plays later, Zimbelman and Jewell connected for the second time on the day. This time Jewell scored from 32 yards out and AU led 35-14.
- CUC added a touchdown but missed the extra point late in the second quarter.
- The Spartans drove the field but ran out of time as a pass as time ended to Jacolby Maxwell was just out of reach in the endzone.
- AU led 35-20 going into halftime.
- AU kicked to CUC to start the second-half and the Spartan defense forced a three and out.
- A short punt set up the Spartans in Cougar territory. On a third and eight, Zimbelman scrambled and once he hit the near sidelines he had nothing but daylight. 45 yards later he was in the endzone and AU led 42-20.
- CUC drove down the field on the next drive. With the ball inside the AU 20, the Spartan defense stepped up again. A sack from Blake Martz was followed by an interception from Sean Reyna in the end zone.
- Two drives later, AU added on to their lead. The seven play, 42 yard drive was capped off with a Zimbelman one-yard touchdown pass to Tyran Bailey.
- The AU defense continued to be strong in the second-half while the Spartan offense scored again and again.
- On the first drive of the fourth quarter, Zimbelman and Jewell connected for a third time on the day. The third touchdown score was from 18 yards out.
- The following kick-off by Spartan Sean Kerr had the wind conditions play a factor. With the kick hitting the turf around the 35 yard line. Spartan Malik White pounced on the loose ball and giving the offense the ball back deep in Cougar territory.
- Jonathan Alstott ran 26 yards on five carries before Zimbelman connected with Maxwell for a secod time on the day. The seven yard score gave AU a 63-20 lead.
- CUC added a score late in the game while the Spartans then successfully ran out the remaining time and were victorious, 63-27.
FOR THE SPARTANS
- Gavin Zimbelman was 28-of-36 passing for 319 yards and six touchdowns. He also rushed for 93 yards and two tuchdowns.
- Jacolby Maxwell caught nine passes for 96 yards and two touchdowns.
- Colton Jewell had six catches for 109 yards and three touchdowns.
- Tyran Bailey had 10 carries for 67 yards and a touchdown.
- The AU defense had two interceptions and allowed just seven points in the second-half.
RECORD SETTERS
- Gavin Zimbelman set a new AU single season record for touchdowns (in 5 games), he now has 31 on the season.
- Jacolby Maxwell set a new AU single season record for touchdown receptions (in 5 games), he has 12.
SPARTAN STAT LEADERS
Rushing:
- Carries: Tyran Bailey (10)
- Yards: Gavin Zimbelman (93) and Tyran Bailey (67)
- Touchdowns: Gavin Zimbelman (2) and Tyran Bailey (1)
Passing:
- Gavin Zimbelman (28-of-36 for 319 yards and six touchdowns)
Receiving:
- Catches: Jacolby Maxwell (9) and Colton Jewell (6)
- Yards: Colton Jewell (109) and Jacolby Maxwell (96)
- Touchdowns: Colton Jewell (3) and Jacolby Maxwell (2)
Defense:
- Tackles: Casey Dycus (7.5) and Blake Martz (6)
- Interceptions: Frankie Gordey and Sean Reyna (1)
- Sacks: Robert Stark (2) and Blake Martz (1)
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