The Aurora University Spartans were dominant in a road victory at Elmhurst College on Saturday afternoon. AU won 48-22 with senior receiver Jacolby Maxwell setting AU single game records for receptions and touchdowns while tying a Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference record for touchdown receptions.
 
THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE:  #RV Aurora University 48, Elmhurst College 22
LOCATION: Langhorst Field - Elmhurst, Illinois.
RECORDS: Aurora University 2-0; Elmhurst College 0-1
ATTENDANCE: 859
WEATHER: 78 degrees and sunny with a 7 mph southwest wind
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
- AU kicked off to start the game and the defense took the field first for a second straight week.
- A three and out followed to set up the offense with strong field position.
- AU drove the field with Gavin Zimbelman going 6-of-7 passing for 60 yards and a 17-yard touchdown strike to Jacolby Maxwell and a 7-0 AU lead.
- The AU defense made a fourth down stop on the next drive at midfield with the Spartan offense making quick work to go up 14-0. Zimbelman went 5-of-6 on the drive, connecting with Maxwell for the second time on the day from seven yards out.
- AU led 14-0 after one quarter with the defense allowing just 25 yards in the session.
- The Spartan possession that ended the first quarter and into the second saw AU turn to the running game. The drive though was capped off with Zimbelman and Maxwell connecting for the third time and AU led 21-0 early in the second.
- After trading two possessions and punts, Elmhurst got on the scoreboard when they picked off a Zimbelman pass and a 16 yard return for a score. AU led 21-8 midway through the second.
- The teams traded turnovers on the next two possessions with Keion Adams forcing an Elmhurst fumble that Casey Dycus recovered.
- Six plays later, Zimbelman found Travys Davis and the freshman scored for the first time in his career from 24 yards out and AU led 28-8.
- With the AU defense continuing to swarm the Bluejays, the Spartan offense got one more possession before the half and they would capitalize.
- With 28 seconds left, AU capped off a 13 play drive with Zimbelman and Maxwell connecting for the fourth time in the game.
- At the half, AU led 35-8.
- AU received the second-half kickoff and the offense calmly marched 71 yards in 10 plays. The 10th play had Zimbelman find Michael Boland for his first collegiate touchdown.
- Just before the end of the third, the Spartans finished their scoring on the day. Zimbelman found Brock Harner from 17 yards out and AU now led 48-8.
- Elmhurst would score twice in the fourth quarter but the Spartans were in complete control of the contest by that point.
- AU improved to 2-0 for the first time since 2010 with a 48-22 victory.

 
FOR THE SPARTANS                                                     
- The Spartan defense held Elmhurst to 154 total yards of offense on the day
- Jackson Howarth had an interception
- Hudson Stedman led with five tackles.
- Gavin Zimbelman was 30-of-46 for 336 yards, seven touchdowns and two interceptions
- Jacolby Maxwell had 13 catches for 149 yards and four touchdowns.
- Travys Davis had 14 carries for 98 yards and seven catches for 67 yards and a touchdown.
- Jonathan Alstott had 16 carries for 72 yards

RECORD SETTERS
- Receiver Jacolby Maxwell set new AU receiving records for catches (13) and touchdowns (4). The four touchdowns ties a Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference mark.
- Quarterback Gavin Zimbelman tied the record he set for AU single game for passing touchdowns with seven.

SPARTAN STAT LEADERS
Rushing:
 - Carries: Jonathan Alstott (16) and Travys Davis (14)
 - Yards: Travys Davis (98) and Jonathan Alstott (72)
Passing:
- Gavin Zimbelman (30-of-46 for 336 yards, seven touchdowns and two interceptions)
Receiving:
 - Catches: Jacolby Maxwell (13)
 - Yards:  Jacolby Maxwell (149)
 - Touchdowns: Jacolby Maxwell (4)
Defense:
- Tackles: Hudson Stedman (5)
- Sacks: Blake Martz (1.0)
- Interceptions: Jackson Howarth (1)
- Fumble Recovery: Casey Dycus (1)
- Forced Fumble: Keion Adams (1)
 
UP NEXT:
Next action for the Spartan football team comes on Saturday, September 21 when they travel to Hope College in the NACC-MIAA Challenge. Kickoff is set for 12:00 p.m. (cst) / 1:00 p.m. (est) in Holland, Michigan.