The Aurora University Spartan football returned back to the turf at Spartan Athletic Park on Saturday afternoon and used a huge second-half scoring out burst and set a record for total yards of offense in a game while defeating the visiting Regents of Rockford University 70-20.
THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: #rv Aurora University 70, Rockford University 20
LOCATION: Montgomery, Illinois - Spartan Athletic Park
RECORDS: #rv Aurora University 2-2 overall and 2-0 in the NACC; Rockford University 1-3 overall and 0-2 in the NACC
ATTENDANCE: 1202
Complete Box Score - View Here
OUTSIDE THE BOX
- The Spartans offense put up 800 yards of total offense, breaking the single game record of 792 set against Concordia Wisconsin on October 11, 2014.
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Sean Reyna's interception return of 100 yards for a touchdown tied an individual record with Robbie Parry also against Concordia Wisconsin on October 16, 2004.
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Cameron Moore set a single game record for receiving yards with 226, surpassing the previous record of 206 by Paulie Forsyth on November 10, 2001 against Valparaiso University..
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Spartan defense forced a punt on the games first possession and the offense answered immediately.
- On a fourth and nine,
Gavin Zimbelman connected with
Cameron Moore for 32 yards and a touchdown. AU led 7-0.
- Both teams traded possessions before Rockford managed to convert a fourth and goal on the following drive.
- With 1:57 left in the first quarter, the game was tied 7-7.
- On the first play of the following drive and just 17 seconds later, AU led again 14-7. Zimbelman connected with Moore for 69 yards and a score.
- Rockford responded by driving the field but on the first and goal, Spartan
Sean Reyna intercepted the pass and 100 yards later, AU led 21-7.
- On AU's next two possessions, the drives ended deep in Rockford territory with an interception and a turnover on downs.
- Going to half, AU led Rockford 21-7.
- On the opening drive of the second-half, a fumble by
Tyran Bailey was recovered by Rockford. On the next play, a 77 yard completion pulled the visitors within one score at 21-13.
- AU turned to the ground game on the next drive, 55 of the 59 yards coming from Bailey and his two yard run gave AU a 28-13 lead.
- The run game and Bailey kept flexing their muscles with a one-play 32 yard touchdown run and a two play 33 yard drive (27 yard touchdown run) pushing the lead to 42-13.
- After a Regent score put the score at 42-20, Zimbelman hit Moore for the third time on the day, this one 59 yards.
- The AU defense gave the Spartan offense great field position just seconds later.
Ernesto Ramirez had a crushing tackle to force a fumble that was recovered by
Marcellus Romious.
- On the next play, Bailey ran 32 yards for a score, his fourth of the day and AU led 56-20.
- The Spartans continued to ground out the yards on the ground in the fourth quarter. Jhequay Chretin and
Jonathan Alstott combined for 84 yards with a cuple penalties pushing the offense back on the drive.
Ian Luyando capped off the drive with a seven yard run and AU led 63-20.
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Sean Reyna intercepted his second pass of the day to stop a Rockford drive.
- Jhequay Chretin ran off 54 yards on the second play to the endzone and AU now led 70-20.
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Jonathan Conwell got his time to shine on the next AU drive he broke off 43 yards and was stopped at the two yard line.
- The Spartans took four kneel downs and were victorious 70-20.
SPARTAN STAT LEADERS
Rushing:
- Carries: Tyran Bailey (13)
- Yards: Tyran Bailey (203) and Jhequay Chretin (101)
- Touchdowns: Tyran Bailey (4)
Passing:
- Gavin Zimbelman (17-of-29 for 369 yards, three touchdowns and one interception)
Receiving:
- Catches: Cameron Moore (6)
- Yards: Cameron Moore (226)
- Touchdowns: Cameron Moore (3)
Defense:
- Tackles: Blake Martz (12) and
Ernesto Ramirez (10)
- Interceptions: Sean Reyna (2)
- Touchdown: Sean Reyna (100 yards)
- Forced Fumble: Ernesto Ramirez and
Jaylen Jordan (1)
- Fumble Recovery: Marcellus Romious and
Brett Crissie (1)
UP NEXT:
Next action for the Spartan football team comes on Saturday, October 2 when they travel to Wisconsin Lutheran College. Kick-off is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.