Augustana University Athletics

"The gunslinger from Minneapolis" were the words Jeff Fylling used for record-setting quarterback Joel Nelson. He, too, enters the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.

Joel commanded the attack that led Augie Football to NCAA playoff appearances in 1988 and 1989 with eight wins each season. During his career, Joel set seven school records-career touchdown passes, career passing yards, touchdown passes in a season, passes completed in a season, passing yards in a season, total offense in a season, and passing yards in a game. Joel is also among the top NCC records holders for completed passes, passing yards and touchdown passes.

His career touchdown pass record of 46 made the chart and with career passing yardage of 5,994. As a junior in 1988, Joel threw 21 touchdown passes, and completed 178 passes. For his senior season, Joel had 2,495 passing yards and 2,566 yards of total offense. As a senior, Joel threw for 388 yards against UND.

During 1988, the Vikings scored 351 points; they set a school record for total yards of offense in a game with 637 yards against Morningside. During the 1989 season, Augie led the NCC in passing, total offense and scoring with 349 points. That year, Joel completed 57.2% of his passes and was intercepted only nine times. The 1989 team set records for total offense in a season with 4,674 yards and 226 first downs gained. Not surprisingly, Joel was All-NCC in both 1988 and 1989. He was All-America honorable mention as a junior and earned All-America honors as a senior. He was NCC Player-of-the-Week three times and was also on the Dean's List four semesters.

Joel wrote that his most memorable game was beating St. Cloud State University for the first-ever national playoff appearance for Augie Football. As a senior, another memorable game was defeating UND 49-39 at Howard Wood Field and "passing for over 300 yards (actual yardage was 388) and four touchdowns."