The Aurora University Spartan football team returned to Saint John's University to open the 2021 schedule. The Spartans and Johnnies relived their epic 2019 NCAA Division III playoff game with another nail-biting contest. AU fell just shy of victory, falling 39-33. 

THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE:  #6 Saint John's University 39, #23 Aurora University 33
LOCATION: Collegeville, Minnesota - Clemens Stadium
RECORDS: #23 Aurora University 0-1 overall; #6 Saint John's University 1-0 overall
ATTENDANCE: 8,688
Complete Box Score - View Here

HOW IT HAPPENED
- AU and SJU each traded two possessions of punts or turnover on downs to start the game.
- Late in the first quarter, St. John's scored to take a 7-0 lead.
- After another AU punt, the Spartan defense came up with a big play just as the quarter ended. Sean Reyna intercepted a pass deep in AU territory.
- After one quarter, AU trailed 7-0
- On the first play of the second quarter, Gavin Zimbelman connected with Trey Madsen for 56 yards and set up deep in SJU territory.
- Five plays later the duo connected again, this time a six-yard strike and with the point after conversion from Sean Kerr, AU was tied 7-7.
- The Johnnies answered right back, going 66 yards in eight plays and AU trailed 14-7.
- The scoring streak would continue in AU's possession as the Spartans went 80 yards in eight plays for a score to tie the game 14-14.
- Zimbelman and Madsen connected on a seven-yard touchdown strike for the tying score.
- With SJU driving, Sean Reyna struck again, intercepting his second pass of the day, setting up the now hot AU offense.
- Zimbelman went five of six on the drive and with 40 seconds left, connected with Brock Harner from nine yards out. AU led 20-14 after a blocked pat.
- AU led heading into halftime 20-14.
- The Spartans were forced to punt on their opening possession and SJU responded with a score and led 21-20.
- On the ensuing drive, Zimbelman connected with Madsen on three catches for 48 yards to set up a first and goal.
- That's when Zimbelman found Cameron Moore on a 10-yard strike and AU led 27-21.
- The teams traded possessions before SJU scored late in the quarter to take a 28-27 lead.
- On the first possession of the fourth, the Spartans took the lead back.
- A double move from Harner led Zimbelman to find him wide open in the end zone from 20 yards out and AU led 33-28. A two-point try was no good.
- The AU defense stood strong on the next Johnnie drive, as three pass breakups on a goal line stand forced a SJU field goal.
- With 7:41 left in the game, AU led 33-31.
- AU's offense stalled and punted the ball back to SJU.
- SJU used 2:47 to drive 28 yards and led 39-33 after a successful two-point try.
- The never give up Spartans made everyone in the over 8,000 fan crowd hold their breathes as they drove 64 yards to the SJU one yard line with 17 to go.
- With AU hurrying to the line of scrimmage, SJU managed a timeout just before the snap that saw Zimbelman dive into the end zone.
- When the teams came out of the timeout, AU ran a qb sweep with Zimbelman but a slashing defender knocked the ball loose.
- SJU landed on the loose ball and was able to then take a knee for the final seconds of the epic contest.
- Despite the 39-33 final score, the Spartans were valiant against a top-ranked opponent
 
SPARTAN STAT LEADERS
Rushing:
 - Carries: Gavin Zimbelman and Tyran Bailey (13)
 - Yards: Tyran Bailey (49)
Passing:
- Gavin Zimbelman (23-of-44 for 341 yards and five touchdowns)
Receiving:
 - Catches: Trey Madsen (7)
 - Yards:  Trey Madsen (146)
 - Touchdowns: Trey Madsen and Brock Harner (2)
Defense:
- Tackles: Colin Dominski, Sean Reyna and Jared Pratt (6)
- Interceptions: Sean Reyna (2)
- Sacks: Ernesto Ramirez (1)
 
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