PLYMOUTH, Wis. – Aurora University sandwiched two quick touchdown scores in a span of just over a minute around the halftime break to gain the upper hand in a close game and Lakeland University was defeated 49-28 Saturday afternoon at John Taylor Memorial Field.

The Spartans scored quickly on all seven of their touchdown drives and the Muskies were unable to keep up with the perennial Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference power on a hot October afternoon with temperatures well into the 80s. Lakeland dropped to 1-3 overall on the season and took its first conference loss, dropping to 1-1 in the NACC.

The Muskies kept up with the Spartans (3-2 overall, 2-1 NACC) for stretches, sitting tied after the first quarter, within a touchdown late in the second quarter and still within two touchdowns with the ball late in the fourth. Turnovers and missed opportunities on both sides of the ball hurt Lakeland's chances at a rally, though, and Aurora made the hosts pay in quick fashion, scoring all seven of its touchdowns on drives of six plays or less.

Lakeland tied the game late in the first quarter when Robby Michael (Sr.-Sheboygan, Wis.) scored on an 11-yard touchdown scamper and the extra point by McKynzee Schepp (Jr.-Marshall, Wis.), and drew within 21-14 with 1 minute, 55 seconds left in the second period when Michael hit Jeremy Kobe (Sr.-Milwaukee, Wis.) for a three-yard touchdown to cap a 14-play, 75-yard drive.

The Spartans needed just 51 seconds to answer, though, going 62 yards in four plays. Liam Mickle hit Ethan Svoboda over the middle in a hole in the defense and he cruised in the final 15 yards for a 33-yard touchdown as Aurora extended its lead to 28-14.

The Muskies received the second half kickoff, but a fumble on the first offensive play of the third quarter was quickly turned into points by Aurora, with T.J. Ramsey scoring on a 25-yard run to make it 35-14. Lakeland did answer nicely with a nine-play, 75-yard drive capped by Hassan Rivers (Jr.-Dearborn Heights, Mich.) scoring on a five-yard run to make it 35-20, but the Spartans again came right back, needing just three plays to score with Mickle hitting Lucious Dones down the right sideline for a 45-yard touchdown and a 42-20 lead with still 10:45 left in the third quarter.

The Muskies drove 64 yards in 14 plays on their next drive but were stopped on downs, but Lakeland got the ball back when a long Aurora drive ended with Zelmarious Banks (Fr.-Fort Wayne, Ind.) making his first career interception. The Muskies then drove 80 yards in seven plays capped by Jatron Bevly (Sr.-Springfield, Ill.) running it in from two yards out and then catching a two-point conversion pass from Michael to make it 42-28.

Aurora came back with another time-consuming drive, chewing up 5:16 before Lakeland made the stop on downs. The Muskies' final two desperation drives ended in interceptions, though, and the Spartans cashed in for a 10-yard Ramsey touchdown run on the first one and ran out the clock on the second one to finish the game.

Both teams moved the ball throughout, with Aurora outgaining Lakeland 513-432 but the Muskies holding a 27-26 edge in first downs. Lakeland gained 237 yards through the air and 195 yards on the ground, with Michael completing 20 of 33 passes for 237 yards and also rushing for 49 yards.

Rivers paced the rushing attack with 10 carries for 64 yards and Bevly added 12 rushes for 62 yards. Caden Kleparski (So.-Unity, Wis.) caught six passes for 71 yards, Kobe caught five balls for 40 yards and Deshawn Hampton (Jr.-Hazel Crest, Ill.) added four receptions for 68 yards.

De'Amonte Arroyo (So.-Chicago, Ill.) paced the defense with nine tackles (five solo, four assisted) and Kenyon Peoples (Jr.-Lansing, Ill.) added nine tackles (two solo, nine assisted).

Mickle threw for 286 yards and four touchdowns for Aurora, Ramsey rushed for 129 yards and three scores and Dones caught nine passes for 144 yards and two touchdowns.

The Muskies are on the road next week to face Concordia University Wisconsin for the annual Cheese Bowl game at 1 p.m. in Mequon.