The Aurora University Spartan football team returned to Spartan Stadium ar Spartan Athletic Park on Saturday afternoon against Rockford University and the Spartans were victorious 56-14. AU quarterback Gavin Zimbelman set single season and career AU records in six passing categories while becoming the single season record holder for touchdowns in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference.

THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE:  Aurora University 56, Rockford University 14
LOCATION: Spartan Athletic Park - Montgomery, Illinois
RECORDS: Aurora University 6-1 overall and 4-0 NACC; Rockford University 1-6 overall and 0-4 NACC
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Spartans kicked off to Rockford to start the game with the defense forcing a three and out.
- The AU offense looked to be clicking on all cylinders, driving into the Regent red zone on five plays but the drive stalled with a turnover on downs,.
- The Spartans converted on their next possession on four plays with Gavin Zimbelmam connecting with Matt Piasecki on a 19-yard score.
- Rockford would tie the game on their next drive, going 71 yards in 10 plays and late in the first, the score was tied 7-7.
- A fumble on the following kickoff found the AU defense back on the field deep in their own territory. The Spartans answered though, forcing the Regents to a field goal try that was no good just before the second quarter started.
- After a three and out by the AU offense, the defense started creating turnovers. Anthony Smith stripped the ball with Sean Reyna falling on the loose ball.
- On the next drive, Zimbelman found Colton Jewell for 60 yards deep into Rockford territory and on the next play Zimbelman connected with Tyran Bailey who was wide open in the end zone for 19 yards and a touchdown.
- That touchdown strike gave Zimbelman the single season NACC record for touchdown passes with his 35th of the season.
- Rockford turned the ball over again when a punt attempt was dropped and the Spartan defense made the stop.
- One play later Zimbelman hit Jewell on a nine-yard strike and AU led 21-7.
- The turnover machine continued for the AU defense with Juan AD Carreno forcing a fumble on the very next play for Rockford and Blake Martz pounced on the recovery.
- Just seven seconds later, Zimbleman hit Jacolby Maxwell on a slant for nine yards and a 28-7 AU lead.
- And only three plays after the lead grew to 35-7 with the defense getting in on the scoring. Keion Adams snagged a pass and dashed 17 yards for a pick six and AU had complete control of the contest.
- AU would go on to score two more times in the quarter with touchdown passes from Zimbelman to Matt Piasecki (12 yards) and Brock Harner (14 yards). The Harner score came with 26 seconds left in the half.
- AU led 49-7 going into halftime.
- The Spartans received the second-half kickoff and turned to the back-ups on the first drive but two plays in a turnover gave Rockford the ball deep in AU territory.
- Rockford scored in 45 seconds and the AU lead was 49-14.
- The AU offense answered with an eight play 66 yard drive that finished with Zimbelman hitting Matt Evert on a 35-yard touchdown strike. AU led 56-14.
- AU controlled the rest of the contest as the teams were able to ground out the clock with a Spartan 56-14 victory,
 
FOR THE SPARTANS                                                     
- Gavin Zimbelman was 23-of-34 passing for 327 yards and seven touchdowns. He also rushed for 61 yards.
- Colton Jewell had seven catches for 123 yards and one touchdown.
- Matt Piasecki had six catches for 70 yards and two touchdowns.
- Tyran Bailey had 10 carries for 79 yards and four catches for 45 yards and a touchdown.
- Keion Adams had an interception that he returned 17 yards for a touchdown and one tackle.
- The AU defense forced seven turnovers with four interceptions, three fumble recoveries and added four sacks.

RECORD SETTERS
- With his seven touchdown passes, Gavin Zimbelman is the single season touchdown pass holder in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference.
- Gavin Zimbelman set a new AU single season and career records in numerous categories.
- Single season: yards passing (2,362) and completions (177)
- Career: yards passing (5,235), attempts (689), completions (417) and touchdowns (59).

SPARTAN STAT LEADERS
Rushing:
 - Carries: Tyran Bailey (10)
 - Yards: Tyran Bailey (79)
Passing:
- Gavin Zimbelman (23-of-34 for 327 yards and seven touchdowns)
Receiving:
 - Catches: Colton Jewell (7) and Matt Piasecki (6)
 - Yards:  Colton Jewell (123) and Matt Piasecki (70)
 - Touchdowns: Matt Piasecki (2)
Defense:
- Tackles: Frankie Gordey (12)
- Interceptions: Keion Adams (touchdown), Sean Reyna (2) and Marcellus Romious (1)
- Forced Fumbles: Juan AD Carreno, Anthony Smith and Cole Sinn (1)
- Fumble Recovery: Blake Martz and Sean Reyna (1)
- Sacks: Blake Martz, Will Ferguson, Sean Reyna and Cole Sinn (1)
 
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