The Aurora University Spartan football team battled Wheaton College in the first round of the 2021 NCAA Division III Football Championship playoff on Saturday afternoon, falling to the Thunder 63-31.


FINAL SCORE:  #6 Wheaton College 63, Aurora University 31
LOCATION: Wheaton, Illinois - Clemens Stadium
RECORDS: Aurora University 8-3 overall; #6 Wheaton College 10-1 overall
GAME TIME: 2:46
Complete Box Score - View Here


- Both teams punted in their opening possessions.
- On their second possession, AU marched down the field 80 yards in 14 plays. On the 14th play, Gavin Zimbelman found Trey Madsen from nine yards out.
- AU led 6-0 after the pat try was blocked.
- Wheaton took a 7-6 lead on their next possession.
- An AU turnover led to a Wheaton touchdown and AU trailed 14-6 late in the first quarter.
- The Spartans answered right back though, taking five plays to go 75 yards for a score.
- Zimbelman found a streaking Cameron Moore over the middle and 53 yards later he was in the end zone. 
- With 53 seconds left in the first quarter, AU trailed 14-13.
- The second quarter was not kind to the Spartans with Wheaton scoring four times and forcing three AU punts and a turnover on downs.
- AU trailed going to halftime 42-13.
- The third quarter saw the two teams trade punts on their first possessions.
- Wheaton took a 49-13 lead on their next possession of the third.
- AU had a drive going on their second possession but it would stall deep in Wheaton territory. 
- After three quarters, AU trailed 49-13.
- Trailing 63-13 in the fourth, the Spartans continued to fight on.
- Zimbelman connected with Moore for the second time on the day to cut the deficit to 63-19.
- After a forced fumble by Ernesto Ramirez was recovered by Rob Stark, Zimbelman hit Brock Harner in the end zone and AU trailed 63-25.
- Wheaton drove the field on the next drive but another fumble, this time forced by Robbie Peterson and recovered by Ramirez at the one yard line gave the Spartan offense the ball back.
- On the first play, the Spartans went into the play book and ran the hook and ladder play. Zimbelman hit Colton Jewell for a gain of 19 who still in mid air flipped the ball to a streaking Trey Madsen. Madsen dashed 74 yards down the sideline, being tackled at the six yard line.
- Two plays later, Zimbelman hit Jewell on a four yard touchdown.
- That would round out the games scoring as AU fell 63-31.
 

Rushing:
 - Carries: Gavin Zimbelman (8) and Tyran Bailey (5)
 - Yards: Tyran Bailey (15)
Passing:
- Gavin Zimbelman (31-of-58 for 427 yards and five touchdowns and two interceptions)
Receiving:
 - Catches: Colton Jewell (7), Trey Madsen and Brock Harner (6)
 - Yards:  Trey Madsen (150), Colton Jewell (85) and Cameron Moore (75)
 - Touchdowns: Cameron Moore (2), Trey Madsen, Colton Jewell and Brock Harner (1)
Defense:
- Tackles: Ernesto Ramirez (10) and Matt Piasecki (8)
- Sacks: Matt Piasecki and Colin Dominski (1.0)
- Forced Fumbles: Ernesto Ramirez, Matt Piasecki and Robbie Peterson (1)
- Fumble Recoveries: Ernesto Ramirez and Rob Stark (1)