The Aurora University Spartan football team wrapped up their 2018 campaign with a thrilling overtime victory over the Muskies of Lakeland University on Senior Day. A defensive stand in overtime sent the Spartans home victorious.
 
THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Aurora University 25, Lakeland University 22 - overtime
LOCATION: Spartan Athletic Park - Montgomery, Illinois
RECORDS: Aurora University 5-5, 5-2 NACC; Lakeland University 4-6, 4-3 NACC
ATTENDANCE: 417
WEATHER: 28 degrees and sunny with a 8 mph west wind

OUTSIDE THE BOX
- AU finishes the 2018 season on a four-game win streak, the longest for AU since 2008.

HOW IT HAPPENED
- After both teams swapped defensive stops to open the contest, the Spartans took advantage of a defensive fumble recovery by Reggie Ferguson and drove 41 yards capped off by a 29 yard touchdown pass from Gavin Zimbelman to Danny Logiurato to put the Spartans up 6-0 with 4:28 remaining in the first quarter.
- On the next drive, Lakeland responded with a touchdown of their own and a successful two-point conversion. AU trailed 8-6 with 1:57 left in the quarter.
- AU trailed Lakeland 8-6 at the end of the first quarter.
- AU trailed Lakeland 14-6 at the end of the first half after Lakeland added six with a 45-yard rushing touchdown. 
- The second half started off with both teams trading turnovers combining for two fumbles and an interception within the first two minutes of the start of the half.
- The AU deficit grew to 22-6 midway through the third on a Lakeland pick six.
- The Spartans answered right back with a nine-play 63 yard drive that ended with a touchdown on a four yard quarterback keep from Halen Miller. AU trailed 22-14 with a successful two-point conversion with 4:07 remaining in the third quarter.
- The following drive the Spartan defense stepped up with an interception from Kam Ryan who returned the ball for 45 yards to give the offense great field position at the Lakeland 23-yard line.
- The offense made quick work and after a two yard rush from Tyran Bailey on the final play of the third and successful two-point conversion the game was tied 22-22 at the end of the third quarter.
- The fourth quarter saw both teams swap possessions with nothing to show for it from a scoring standpoint.
- The game headed to overtime with AU and Lakeland tied 22-22.
- On the Spartans' first possession on overtime AU took the lead 25-22 after a 35 yard field goal from Sean Kerr.
- Lakeland took possession and gained 20 yards to the AU five on two plays, setting up a first and goal.
- The Spartan defense stepped up and stopped the Muskies Lakeland offense on four consecutive plays to hold on for the 25-22 win. 
- The third and fourth down plays came from the two-yard line.
 
FOR THE SPARTANS                                                      
- Tyran Bailey had 37 carries for 180 yards and one touchdown
- Cole Sinn had 12 tackles
- Sean Kerr kicked the game winning 35 yard field goal in overtime.
 
SPARTAN STAT LEADERS
Offense:
Passing:
- Completions and Attempts: Gavin Zimbelman (13-23) 
- Yards: Gavin Zimbelman (90)
- Touchdowns: Gavin Zimbelman (1)
Rushing: 
- Carries: Tyran Bailey (37)
- Yards: Tyran Bailey (180)
- Touchdowns: Tyran Bailey and Halen Miller (1)
Receiving: 
- Catches: Danny Logiurato (7) 
- Yards: Danny Logiurato (50)
- Touchdowns: Danny Logiurato (1)
Defense:
- Tackles: Cole Sinn (12)
- Sacks: Jon Wall, Juan Carreno and Hudson Stedman (1)
- Tackles For Loss: Hudson Stedman
- Fumble Recovery: Reggie Ferguson and Juan Carreno (1)
- Interception: Kam Ryan (1)

UP NEXT: 
The AU football team wrapped up their 2018 season with a 5-5 overall record and 5-2 in the NACC