Aurora University celebrated homecoming 2019 on campus while the Spartan football team took on the visitors from Eureka College. 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 as part of the pregame festivities.
THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Aurora University 62, Eureka College 35
LOCATION: Vago Field - Aurora, Illinois
RECORDS: Aurora University 3-1 overall and 1-0 NACC; Eureka College 2-2 overall and 0-1 NACC
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Spartan defense took the field first and forced a three and out. On the first offensive play for AU, Gavin Zimbelman connected with Jacolby Maxwell from 49-yards and a touchdown for a 7-0 AU lead.
- Eureka answered on their next drive with a 12-play 75 yard drive for a score and the game was tied 7-7.
- Just before the end of the opening quarter, AU scored to lead 14-7. Zimbelman connected with Connor Olson on a six-yard score.
- Early in the second, Eureka tied the game up at 14-14.
- The AU defense set up the offense deep in Eureka territory a drive later with Frankie Gordey forcing a fumble that Casey Dycus recovered and returned 19 yards to the 22-yard line.
- One play later, Zimbelman connected with Olson for a second time and AU led 21-14.
- The ensuing kickoff by AU kicker Sean Kerr landed between several Eureka players but the loose ball was recovered by by Matt Evert and the Spartans had the ball again deep in Eureka territory.
- Six plays later, Zimbelman found Evert in the back of the end zone and AU led 28-14.
- After the defense forced a Eureka punt, the AU offense went back to work. A 39-yard perfectly thrown ball by Zimbelman landed over the left shoulder of Maxwell. An 11-yard gallop by Tyran Bailey was followed by another perfect throw and catch by Zimbelman and Colton Jewell. Jewell kept his feet in bounds in the end zone and AU led 35-14.
- The Spartans led 35-14 going into halftime.
- AU received the second-half kickoff which went for a touchback. On the first play, Zimbelman found a wide open Olson streaking down the far sideline. Olson went 75-yards and AU led 42-14 just 17 seconds into the second-half.
- Both defenses forced several punts over the rest of the quarter before the Spartans struck again late in the third quarter. The ground game led by 42 yards from Tyran Bailey moved the offense down the field before Zimbelman found Maxwell for the second time on the day and AU led 49-14.
- The fourth quarter saw both teams go up and down the field with 34 points going on the scoreboard.
- For AU, Bailey had a 30-yard touchdown run and Travys Davis scored from 24 yards out.
- The Spartans celebrated on Vago Field in a victory formation and a 62-35 win.
FOR THE SPARTANS
- Connor Olson had three touchdown receptions on four catches for 105 yards.
- Gavin Zimbelman was 18-of-40 passing for 342 yards and seven touchdowns
- Jacolby Maxwell caught five passes for 140 yards and two touchdowns.
- Tyran Bailey had 15 carries for 150 yards and a touchdown.
SPARTAN STAT LEADERS
Rushing:
- Carries: Tyran Bailey (15)
- Yards: Tyran Bailey (150)
- Touchdowns: Tyran Bailey and Travys Davis (1)
Passing:
- Gavin Zimbelman (18-of-40 for 342 yards and seven touchdowns)
Receiving:
- Catches: Jacolby Maxwell and Colton Jewell (5)
- Yards: Jacolby Maxwell (140) and Connor Olson (105)
- Touchdowns: Connor Olson (3) and Jacolby Maxwell (2)
Defense:
- Tackles: Hudson Stedman (11) and Juan Carreno (8)
- Fumble Recovery: Casey Dycus (1)
- Forced Fumble: Hudson Stedman (1)
- Sacks: Juan Carreno (2)
UP NEXT:
Aurora knocks off Eureka in battle of NACC's preseason favorites
/seasons/2019/boxscores/20191005_c83e.xml
2019
Eureka
35
Aurora
62
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eureka (2-2) | 7 | 7 | 0 | 21 | 35 |
| Aurora (3-1) | 14 | 21 | 14 | 13 | 62 |
Oct 05, 2019
Next action for the Spartan football team comes on Saturday, October 12 when they host Concordia University Chicago. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. at Spartan Stadium at Spartan Athletic Park in Montgomery, Illinois.