Box Score The Aurora University football took on Wisconsin Lutheran College on a cold and rainy
Saturday. Aside from the rainy weather conditions, the Warriors decided to rain on the Spartans parade as well, downing AU 28-14.
The AU defense got off to a hot start. On the first offensive play of the game for the Warriors running
back Donavin Tucker was hit by junior defensive tackle
Cody Jones forcing a fumble. Senior defensive end Jerome
Christmas was all over the loose ball, diving on it to give the Spartans possession on the WLC 36 yard line.
The Spartan's drive came to an abrupt end when senior quarterback
Jimmy Bevell threw his first of four interceptions on the day. The Warriors came into the game boasting the nation's #1 pass defense and #12 defense overall. Bevell's pass was picked off by corner back Richard Belsky on 3 and 17. Belsky was able to return the interception nine-yards to the give the ball back to the Warriors on their own 34.
The interception led to an 11 play 66 yard drive by the Warrior offense that resulted in a 15 yard rushing touchdown by running back Taylor Pelot. Pelot was handed the ball and ran to the right side where he was able to turn the corner. Once Pelot turned the corner it was a foot race to the pylon. Pelot dove and got the outstretched ball across the goal line for a touchdown before being knocked out of bounds. The extra point was converted by Josh Ruppel giving the Warriors a 7-0 lead.
The WLC defensive continued to have Bevell's number. On the next Spartan drive Bevell tried to go deep down the middle of the field. However, his pass thrown into a crowd of Warrior defensive backs and was knocked around before finally being intercepted again. This time it was safety Sam Dunham intercepting Bevell's throw.
WLC looked to be putting together another scoring drive until sophomore linebacker
Darren Harms
intercepted Warrior quarterback Zach Shaw's pass at the two-yard line. Harms was able to break off a huge return of 64 yards to get the AU offense back out on the field.
The Spartans were finally able to put together a solid offensive drive with their next possession. They looked to put points on the board when they brought out the field goal unit to attempt a 37 yard field goal. However, the snap was a bit high and the attempt was blocked by Travis Turnquist.
AU looked to have stopped the Warriors in their tracks as they brought up 4th and 3 with the ball near midfield and the punt team on the field. WLC had other idea as they ran a fake punt and punter Brett Youngbeck ran for 10 yards giving WLC a first down.
The Warriors capitalized on the new set of downs piecing together a 16 play 80 yard drive for a touchdown. This time it was Shaw who punched the ball into the end zone on the quarterback keeper. Ruppel missed the extra point though. Making the WLC lead 13-0.
The AU offense continued to struggle as they were forced to go three and out on their next drive. Shaw completed a pass to tight end John Klein for a gain of 40 yards and another Warrior touchdown. WLC converted the two-point conversion to make up for Ruppel's missed extra point and increase the lead to 21-0.
The touchdown was the final scoring play of the half. As the two teams went into the half WLC
dominated time of possession as they had the ball for 20 minutes to just 10 for the Spartans. The Warriors also out gained the Spartans on offense with 272 yards of total offense to the Spartan's 63 yards.
Coming out of the half the Spartans played with a new energy. The AU defense forced a three and out to start the half. After gaining possession AU put together a 14 play 75 yard drive that spanned 7:26 to get themselves with in two scores. Bevell was able to find senior tight end
Ryan Mizgate over the middle of the end zone for a 15 yard touchdown pass. Junior kicker
Fernando Albarran converted the extra point cutting the WLC lead to 21-7.
A WLC punt pinned the Spartans up against their own goal line on the next drive. Bevell looked down the right side of the field but under threw his intended target for another interception. The interception came courtesy of safety Tyler Schoen who also returned the pick 27 yards to the AU 13 yard line.
The shortened field ultimately resulted in a 11 yard touchdown pass from Shaw to receiver Josh Stodola. The extra point was converted by Ruppel and gave the Warriors a 28-7 lead just 12 seconds into the fourth quarter.
On the next AU possession the WLC defense continued to flex its muscle. Bevell threw his fourth and
final pick of the day to linebacker Jim Wheeler.
Bevell was eventually relieved of his duties by junior quarterback
Jace Koerner with 3:17 to play in the fourth. Koerner was able to lead the Spartans on a 74 yard drive for a touchdown. Koerner was able to find senior receiver
Matt Snyder in the end zone for a five-yard touchdown pass. Albarran topped off the drive with a made extra point making the score 28-14 in favor of WLC.
Unfortunately for the Spartans that was all of the offense they could muster in the fourth. The game came to a close with the final score at 28-14 still. On the day Bevell was 15-34 for 120 yards with one touchdown and four interceptions, while Koerner was 5 of 7 for 54 yards with one touchdown in his brief stint of relief. Running back
Brandon Trujillo led AU with 36 yards on eight carries and
Ryan Mizgate led the team with five catches for 68 yards and a touchdown.
The loss drops AU to 3-3 overall and 2-1 in the Northern Athletics Conference. WLC is now 4-2 overall and 2-1 in NAC action. AU will travel Concordia University Chicago next weekend to take on the Cougars in a key NAC match up. Kick-off is scheduled for 1:00 pm.
