Box Score The Aurora University Spartans scored 28 points off of turnovers in the first half en route to a 56-0 win over MacMurray College Saturday afternoon on Vago Field.

AU's defense held MacMurray to just 69 yards of total offense on the day, while AU's offense gained 398 yards on a balanced attack, with 226 rushing yards and 172 passing yards.

The Spartan defense would force six turnovers in the game, three interceptions and three fumble recoveries, but the string of turnover-to-touchdown sequences in the first half was the difference.

The first turnover of the game took place on the first drive of the game, when MacMurray senior running back Brian Clay fumbled the exchange from freshman quarterback Cameron West. AU senior linebacker Adam Siwicki pounced on the loose ball to give his team the ball at the Highlanders 39-yard line.

The Spartans drove to the Highlanders 14-yard line before committing a turnover of their own, when Highlander junior defensive back Dillon Lascelles picked off a pass from senior quarterback Jimmy Bevell in the end zone.

The teams traded three-and-out drives before AU's defense came up big again, when junior free safety Billy LaShonse forced a fumble by Highlander junior running back Takarri Long. Senior strong safety Kevin Glock recovered the fumble.

This time, AU's offense would not be denied as the Spartans utilized its ground game, running six times in a nine-play, 61-yard drive capped off by a 12-yard touchdown run by junior running back Steve Rivera which put the Spartans up 7-0.

On the ensuing drive, AU's defense came up big again, stuffing Highlander running backs behind the line of scrimmage on their first two downs. On third-and-26 from the MC one-yard line, junior defensive end Jerome Christmas came up big, forcing a fumble from MacMurray freshman running back Darshay Ladd. Glock was there again to recover the fumble at the MacMurray 12-yard line, and the Spartan offense went back to work.

This time, the Spartans went to the air. Bevell connected on a 10-yard touchdown strike to senior wide receiver Evan Hackbarth which put AU up 14-0 early in the second quarter.

The game's recurring theme would happen again on the very next drive, as AU's defense forced yet another turnover and AU's offense made the most of the opportunity. Glock picked off a West pass at the MacMurray 25-yard line. Six plays later, Bevell rolled to his right and found Hackbarth again for a 13-yard touchdown pass. The score gave the Spartans a comfortable 21-0 lead and control of the game.

AU's defense forced a three-and-out on MacMurray's ensuing drive, highlighted by an eight-yard sack from Spartan senior defensive end Derek DeNino on a third-and-eight.

A 21-yard punt return by AU sophomore Matt Gillette gave the Spartans a very short field to work with. Setting up shop at the Highlander 26-yard line, the Spartans marched in for another score, with Rivera rushing for his second touchdown of the day to extend the lead to 28-0.

After uneventful drives by both teams, AU's turnover-to-touchdown torrent struck again, with Glock registering his second interception of the day off of MacMurray quarterback West.

The Spartans took over at the Highlander 30-yard line and relied on their running game. After handing off the ball five straight times, Bevell took it himself and found pay dirt on a 2-yard bootleg to give AU a 35-0 lead with 28 seconds remaining in the half.

With the game in control, AU continued its strong play in the second half. The defense continued to dominate play while the offense recorded several long, time consuming drives. On its second drive of the third quarter, Bevell and the offense consumed 5 minutes, 21 seconds off the clock in a methodical 12-play, 81 yard scoring drive. Bevell found Gillette on a 21-yard strike to put his team up 42-0. It would be the senior's last drive of the day, allowing junior quarterback Noah Martin to take the reins when the offense took the field again late in the third quarter.

Martin engineered two scoring drives in the fourth quarter. On AU's first possession of the quarter, Martin kept the drive alive on a third down by completing a 17-yard pass to Gillette.  Sophomore running back Cody Whightsil would score two plays later on a one-yard plunge to put the Spartans up 49-0.

Fittingly, the final AU score was set up by the defense forcing a turnover. AU junior cornerback Brandon Trujillo picked off pass from MC's freshman quarterback Harold Mabin at midfield.  The Spartans went to the ground game from there, going 53 yards on six rushing plays. Junior running back Bobby Walsh scored on a 24-yard run for what would be the game's final score, putting AU ahead 56-0 with 8:04 remaining in the game. The teams traded uneventful drives from there to end the game.

Rivera led the Spartans on the ground with 106 yards on 21 carries. Bevell finished the day with 16 completions on 28 passing attempts for three touchdowns and an interception. Hackbarth led all receivers with four receptions for 57 yards, including two touchdown catches.

Defensively, Glock had a career day for the Spartans, recovering two fumbles and registering two interceptions. DeNino recorded two sacks, while senior linebacker Jeff Krause led the team in tackles with seven.

Freshman linebacker DeRon Terry led the Highlanders defensively with eight tackles and a sack. Clay led MacMurray's ground game with 37 yards on seven carries.

The Spartans, now 1-1 on the season, continue non-conference play next week when they travel to Illinois Wesleyan University on Saturday, September 17. Kickoff is slated for 1:00 p.m. in Bloomington, Ill.