The Aurora University Spartans hosted Carthage College in the 2017 season and home opener on Saturday afternoon. AU lost to the Red Men 24-0.
 
THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE:  Carthage College 24, Aurora University 0
LOCATION: Aurora, Illinois - Vago Field
RECORDS: Aurora University 0-1; Carthage College 1-0
ATTENDANCE: 1,009
WEATHER: 70 degrees and sunny with a 5 mph southeast wind
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The game began with AU kicking off to Carthage. A planned short kick was muffed by Carthage and recovered by the Spartans at the Carthage 35. The Spartans couldn't take advantage of the play, turning the ball over on downs.
The teams traded possessions before Carthage scored the first points of the game with 4:28 to play in the opening quarter, AU trailed 7-0.
At the end of one quarter, AU trailed 7-0.
Early in the second quarter, Carthage pushed the lead to 14-0 after starting their possession deep in AU territory following a Spartan turnover.
A Spartan turnover just before the half saw the AU defense step up and hold the Red Men to a field goal.
At the half, AU trailed 17-0.
With 9:47 left in the third quarter, the Spartans seemed to have caught a break from a wild snap over the Carthage punters head but the scramble produced a wild opposite footed punt that rolled all the way to midfield from the end zone.
Midway through the third quarter, Carthage pieced together a long drive and scored the games finals points, 24-0.
The Spartans and Red Men traded possessions over the final quarter with no scoring as AU fell to Carthage 24-0.
 
FOR THE SPARTANS                                                     
Kam Dawtyne had 10 tackles with one for loss.
Brendan Fulton had 10 tackles.
Will Ferguson had seven tackles with one and a half quarterback sacks.
Connor Olson had 12 rushes for 37 yards and three catches for 13 yards.

SPARTAN STAT LEADERS
Rushing:
            - Carries: Connor Olson (12)
            - Yards: Connor Olson (37)
Receiving:
            - Catches: Connor Olson and Emilio Starks (3)
            - Yards:  Sean Mullen (24)
Tackles: Kam Dawtyne and Brendan Fulton (10)
Sacks: Will Ferguson (1.5)
 
UP NEXT:
Next action for the Spartan football team comes on Saturday, September 9 when they travel to Loras College. Game time is set for 1:00 p.m. in Dubuque, Iowa.