Two Augustana College football players have been recognized by the North Central Conference for their performances in the Vikings’ 26-23 win over Minnesota-Duluth on Saturday. Middle linebacker
Nick Ovenden was tabbed as the Defensive Co-Player of the Week, while punter
Joe Nordin was chosen as the Special Teams Player of the Week.
Ovenden, a junior from Sioux Falls, S.D., collected 10 tackles (6 solo, 4 assists), including 2 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery and an interception. His two forced turnovers came in the final 3 minutes of the game.
With Augustana leading 26-23, UMD had the ball 2nd and goal at the Augie 7. Ovenden sacked UMD quarterback Ted Schlafke at the 13, forcing a fumble in the process. Ovenden recovered the ball at the Augie 25 with 2:41 to play.
After Augustana punted, UMD took over at their own 10. Three plays later, Ovenden intercepted a Schlafke pass and alertly fell down with 1:10 to play, securing the win. It was his first career interception.
Nordin, a sophomore from Lake Lillian, Minn., averaged 40.5 yards per punt on 4 attempts. His final punt went for 56 yards, his second-longest kick of the year, and was downed at the UMD 10-yard line with 1:28 left in the game, pinning the Bulldogs deep in their own territory.
With the win, Augustana snapped an 11-game losing streak in North Central Conference play dating back to the 2003 season.
The Vikings, 4-5 overall and 1-4 in the NCC, play their final home game of the season on Saturday when they play host to Minnesota State University-Mankato. Kickoff is scheduled for noon at Howard Wood Field.
