The Aurora University Spartans took to the road and defeated Concordia University Chicago 16-14 in a closely played contest that again came down to the final minutes for the Spatans.
 
THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE:  Aurora University 16, Wisconsin Lutheran College 14
LOCATION: River Forest, Illinois
RECORDS: Aurora University 3-2 (2-0 NACC) ; Concordia University Chicago 2-2 (0-1 NACC)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Spartan special teams put the first points of the game on the board. With CUC on to punt, a snap went into the Cougar end zone and was covered for a safety and AU led 2-0 late in the first quarter.
- Four plays later, Connor Olson dashed 24 yards and after the extra point, AU led 9-0.
- The teams traded possessions for the rest of the first half with most ending in punts. AU held a 9-0 lead going into halftime.
- On the first drive of the third quarter, AU used a long (57-yards) from Olson to get deep into Cougar territory but would see the drive end in a turnover on downs.
- A Spartan turnover on special teams then set up Concordia at the AU five yard line. The Cougars scored and AU now led 9-7.
- The Spartans used a 14-play, 83-yard drive that took 7:52 off the clock to score and lead 16-7 midway through the fourth quarter.
- Concordia did answer very quickly, scoring on a long touchdown pass and the score now had AU lead 16-14.
- The AU defense this week came up big on a late fourth quarter possession as they forced a CUC turnover on downs and let the offense set up the victory formation and win 16-14.
 
FOR THE SPARTANS                                                     
- AU rushed 40 times for 220 yards and two touchdowns.
- Connor Olson had 23 rushes for 186 yards and one touchdown.
- Ray DiMatteo had seven tackles, 2.5 for loss and two sacks.

SPARTAN STAT LEADERS
Passing:
            - Completions and Attempts: Gavin Zimbelman (15 of 27)
            - Yards: Gavin Zimbelman (163)
Rushing:
            - Carries: Connor Olson (23)
            - Yards: Connor Olson (186)
            - Touchdowns: Connor Olson and Gavin Zimbelman (1)
Receiving:
            - Catches: Sean Mullen and Emilio Starks (5)
            - Yards:  Sean Mullen (70)

Tackles: Casey Dycus and Ray DiMatteo (6)
Sacks: Ray DiMatteo (2)
 
UP NEXT:
Next action for the Spartan football team comes on Saturday, October 14 when they host Alma College on AU Homecoming 2017. Game time is set for 1:00 p.m. on Vago Field.