The Aurora University's football team dropped its 2011 season opener 34-9 to North Park

University Saturday afternoon on Vago Field.

The contest was closer than the final score indicated as the visiting Vikings pulled away in the fourth quarter to solidfy the road win.

The only score of the first quarter came on North Park's first possession, when the Vikings (1-0) drove 79 yards on 11 plays. AU's defense held deep in its own territory, forcing a 20-yard field goal by North Park junior Tony Kebede which put his team up 3-0.

The Spartans would get the chance for an equalizer with a long drive of their own, engineered by senior quarterback Jimmy Bevell, in the second quarter. But the drive stalled in North Park territory, and sophomore kicker Fernando Albarran's 22-yard attempt sailed wide right.

From there, the teams traded unsuccessful drives. The Vikings were able to go into halftime with a 10-0 lead, thanks to a nine-play, 69-yard drive capped off by a two-yard touchdown

plunge by sophomore quarterback Tyler Krebs with just 38 seconds left in the half.

AU tried to get a quick strike before the half, but Viking sophomore defensive back Darius Dacanay intercepted a Bevell pass to allow NPU's offense to run out the remainder of the clock.

The Spartans came out strong in the second half, getting a defensive stop before putting together a nine-play, 64-yard drive capped off by a 21-yard field goal by Albarran to make it a one-score game at 10-3. The key play of the drive was a 31-yard strike from senior quarterback Jimmy Bevell to senior wide receiver Evan Hackbarth.

But the Vikings answered on their next drive, going 53 yards before AU's defense forced another Kebede field goal which extended the lead to 13-3 late in the third quarter.

After getting a three-and-out defensive stop on AU's ensuing drive, North Park was able to

swing the game's momentum strongly in its favor. The Vikings went on an 8-play, 60-yard drive, capped by another two-yard touchdown run by Krebs which made the score 20-3.

The Spartans came right back, driving the ball down to North Park's 25-yard line. But the Vikings stopped the drive when Dacanay picked off his second Bevell pass at the 10-yard line.

Each team traded a three-and-out drive before North Park delivered a surprise 80-yard strike from Krebs to sophomore receiver John Barnabee. Working out of North Park's option offense, Krebs had attempted only two passes before the touchdown to Barnabee, which put his team up 27-3.

The Spartans would not give up, answering just two offensive plays later with a 19-yard touchdown from Bevell to junior wide receiver Eric Stallworth with 7 minutes, 31 seconds left in the game. That play was set up by a 43-yard pass from Bevell to senior receiver Jordan Peterson. The Spartans would attempt a two-point conversion from there in an effort to pull within two touchdowns, but Bevell's pass fell incomplete.

AU nearly recovered its ensuing onside kick, but instead the Vikings gained possession and were able to cement the game with a six-play, 37-yard drive capped by Krebs' third rushing touchdown of the day. His 11-yard scamper put the Vikings up 34-9.

Even with an insurmountable deficit in the waning minutes of the game, the Spartans kept fighting. AU went 80 yards on its final drive as junior quarterback Noah Martin took over, driving the team down to North Park's 1-yard line on 13 plays before the clock ran out.

Both offenses put up big numbers on the day, but in different ways. AU's offense gained 400 yards on the day, 349 of which came through the air. Conversely, North Park's offense gained 431 yards on the day, 351 of which came on the ground. One of the key stats in the game was converting red zone chances. The Vikings were a perfect 5-for-5 in the red zone, while the Spartans were 2-of-4.

Bevell finished the day with 291 passing yards, one touchdown and three interceptions. Peterson led all receivers with nine catches for 145 yards. Defensively, the Spartans were led by junior defensive back Bo Price, who finished with 11 tackles.

For North Park, Krebs rushed for 207 yards and three touchdowns on 24 carries in addition to his 80-yard touchdown strike through the air. Defensively, senior linebacker Casey Smagala registed 10 tackles for the Vikings.

 Today's loss snapped a three-year winning streak in season openers for AU. North Park snapped its own three-game streak with the win, having fallen to AU in the teams' previous three meetings.

Next up for the Spartans is another home tilt, when MacMurray College visits Vago Field Saturday, Sept. 10. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m.