The Aurora University Spartan football team clinched the out right Northern Athletic Collegiate Conference Championship with a dominating all around performance and a 70-14 victory at Lakeland University on Saturday night. 

THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE:  Aurora University 70, Lakeland University 14
LOCATION: Plymouth, Wisconsin
RECORDS: Aurora University 9-1 overall and 7-0 NACC; Lakeland University 4-6 overall and 3-4 NACC

BEYOND THE BOX
- With the win, the Spartans clinched the out right 2019 Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference Championship
- The 7-0 NACC record is the second for AU in the 12 seasons of the league having football. Season one (2008), AU went 7-0.
- AU won a school record tying ninth games (9-1, .900), matching previous nine win seasons (9-1) in 1992 and (9-2) in 2008, both seasons the season concluded in the NCAA Division III playoffs.
- AU will make the programs fifth NCAA Playoff appearance after winning the seventh conference championship. The Spartans first played in a football conference in 1998.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Spartans took the opening kickoff and marched 73 yards in 11 plays with a Gavin Zimbelman 25 yard touchdown run finishing the drive.
- The AU defense stifled the Lakeland offense on their first two possessions, allowing just five yards on six plays.
- On their third possession, Tyran Bailey took the work load, rushing for 36 yards on four carries before Zimbelman connected with Brock Harner from 20-yards out.
- The following kickoff return by Lakeland was fumbled with the Spartans pouncing on the loose ball.
- Three plays later, AU led 21-0 when Zimbelman hit Jacolby Maxwell from 14 yards out.
- Lakeland then turned the ball over on downs at their own 36 yard line just before the end of the first quarter.
- The fourth play of the second quarter saw Zimbelman connect with Maxwell again and AU now led 28-0.
- Just three plays later, the defense got in on the scoring as Cole Sinn jumped in front of a pass and returned it 12 yards for a pick six and AU led 35-0.
- On the very next play for Lakeland, a 10-yard run ended with a fumble and again it was Cole Sinn on the spot. Sinn forced the fumble with Hudson Stedman hopping on the ball.
- The Spartan appeared to be forced to punt but Ryan Basden was roughed on the attempt, giving the offense the ball back. Six plays later, Zimbelman hit Maxwell for the third time on the night and AU led 42-0 with half the second quarter to play.
- At this point, the AU defense had not allowed a Lakeland first down and under 8 minutes left to play in the first-half.
- Lakeland managed to score on their drive but AU answered immediately.
- One play and 74 yards later, Gavin Zimbelman throw his fourth touchdown on the night and his third to Jacolby Maxwell.
- After the defense forced another punt, the ground game continued to produce. Jhequay Chretin capped off the drive with a 27-yard score and AU led 49-7.
- Just before the half ended, Spartan Keion Adams intercepted a Muskie pass in the end zone, ending any possible scoring effort.
- AU led 49-7 at halftime.
- The opening drive for AU in the second half saw Bailey carry the rock for 48 yards before Zimbelman and Maxwell connected for a fourth time and the Spartans led 56-7.
- The Spartans led 56-14 after three quarters.
- Kyle Evert took over the signal calling duties midway through the third quarter and he handed off to Chretin on the second play of the fourth quarter. The two yard plunge gave AU a 63-14 lead.
- On the next defensive series, freshman corner Robbie Peterson stepped in front of a Lakeland pass and he dashed 85 yards for a pick six. The second defensive touchdown on the night for AU.
- The Spartans were victorious and celebrated the 70-14 win and 2019 NACC out-right championship. 
 
FOR THE SPARTANS                                                     
- Tyran Bailey had 19 carries for 146 yards
- Gavin Zimbelman was 17-of-32 passing for 237 yards and five touchdowns. He also rushed for 43 yards and one touchdown.
- Jacolby Maxwell caught nine passes for 151 yards and four touchdown receptions. 
- Jhequay Chretin had seven carries for 53 yards and two touchdowns.
- Robbie Peterson had two tackles and an interception he returned 85 yards for a touchdown.
- Cole SInn had five tackles, a forced fumble and an interception he returned 12 yards for a touchdown.

SPARTAN STAT LEADERS
Rushing:
 - Carries: Tyran Bailey (19) and Kyle Evert (8)
 - Yards: Tyran Bailey (146)
- Touchdowns: Jhequay Chretin (2) and Gavin Zimbelman (1)
Passing:
- Gavin Zimbelman (17-of-32 for 237 yards and five touchdowns)
Receiving:
 - Catches: Jacolby Maxwell (8)
 - Yards:  Jacolby Maxwell (151)
 - Touchdowns: Jacolby Maxwell (4)
Defense:
- Tackles: Casey Dycus (6)
- Interceptions: Keion Adams, Cole Sinn and Robbie Peterson (1)
- Forced Fumbles: Cole Sinn and Nathan Gulley (1)
- Fumble Recovery: Nathan Gulley and Hudson Stedman (1)
- Sacks: Juan A D Carreno (2)
- Touchdown: Cole Sinn and Robbie Peterson (1)
 
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