Box Score The Aurora University Spartan football team defeated Alma College in a thrilling 24-21 battle Saturday
AU came out in the first quarter looking to prove something. The Spartan defense forced a three and out from Alma to start the game. The Aurora offense wasted no time going to work. On the first drive of the game senior quarterback Jimmy Bevell connected on a 29 yard pass to junior Michael Ghanem for the opening score of the game with 10:25 remaining in the first quarter. The extra point was converted by junior kicker Fernando Albarran to give the Spartans a 7-0 lead. The drive went 5 plays for 39 yard and took up 2:08.

AU was able to capitalize on offense again when a 45 yard reception by Derek Powell sparked an 11 play, 76 yard drive spanning 4:03, that eventually led to a 30 yard Albarran field goal to put the Spartans up 10-0.

With points on the board, the AU defense continued to wreak havoc on Alma's offense holding the Scots to just 32 yards of total offense for the entire 1st quarter.

Alma was finally able to generate some offense in the 2nd quarter as they put together a 17 play, 75 yard drive resulting in a end around play that saw junior wide out Joey Jersick run the ball into the end zone for a touchdown. Alma used a nifty trick play to convert the 2 point conversion that allowed defensive lineman Austin Smith to run the ball in and narrow the gap to 10-8.

The Spartans knocked on the door once again as the offense drove down to the the Alma 7 yard line, but the drive stalled when running back Brandon Trujillo was ruled to have fumbled prior to being down by contact, giving the ball back to the Scots.

The first half concluded without anymore scoring as both teams played a game of field position and for the remainder of the 2nd quarter. The Spartans went into halftime with just a 10-8 lead but out gained the Scots 212-95 in total yards.

The opening kick-off of the second half was fumbled by AU freshman Michael Beasley-Hart giving Alma possession on the Aurora 29 yard line. The Spartans defense held strong and forced the Scots to turn the ball over on downs as they tried to convert on a 4th & 13.

The 3rd quarter came to a close with Alma marching down the field to the AU 10 to present themselves with 1st and goal to go as the 4th quarter began. The Scots were able to finish off the drive when quarterback Jarrett Leister punched the ball into the endzone on a quarterback sneak. Alma once again tried a unique 2 point conversion that was read and broken up by the AU defense. However, Alma still held the edge over the Spartans 14-10.

The Spartans next drive ran out of gas forcing the Spartans to punt and give the ball, as well as a majority of the momentum, back to Alma.

On the first play of the drive Alma running back Shannon Green had the ball ripped out of his hands by Spartan senior defensive end Jerome Christmas. Christmas promptly returned the fumble 22 yards to the endzone sending Vago Field into a frenzy and putting AU on top once again. The touchdown marked Christmas' second touchdown in as many games. Albarran converted on the extra point attempt making the score 17-14.

The Scots were able to rally as they intercepted a Bevell pass at the Aurora 20 on the Spartans next offensive possession. The interception led to another rushing touchdown for Jersick. With 7:16 to play Alma led AU 21-17.

AU was unable to answer on their next possession and was forced to punt. However, the Spartans defense came up big once again when Hayes Cooper picked off a Leister pass and returned it 8 yards before a late hit penalty tacked on another 13 yards (half the distance to the goal) to Cooper's return.

Using a short-field to their advantage the Spartans were able to take the lead for good when Bevell found Ghanem on a swing pass allowing him to get into the endzone with 2:18 to play.

Although the Alma offense was given to more attempts to put together a game-winning drive, the Spartans defense stood tall keeping the Scots in their own half until the final play of regulation when a completed pass ultimately resulted in a fumble recovery by Spartan safety Zach Laud to close out the game.

On the day, the Spartan defense held Alma to just 222 yard of total offense while intercepting 1 pass and forcing 2 fumbles. AU was able to gain 339 yards of total offense with Bevell completing 17 of 26 passes for 224 yards and Trujillo running for 72 yards on 22 carries. Ghanem led all receivers with 42 yards on 3 catches. Linebackers Dan Maxwell and Darren Harms each recorded 7 tackles for the Spartans.

With the win, AU is 1-1 and travels to Millikin University on Saturday, September 22. Game time is set for 1:00 p.m. in Decatur, Ill.