Box Score
The Augustana football team put together one of the best all-around team efforts in school history as the Vikings crushed Minnesota, Crookston 59-0 Saturday in Crookston, Minn.
The Vikings (2-1, 2-0 NSIC) amassed 601 yards of total offense while limiting the host Golden Eagles to just 107 total yards as they recorded the second-largest shutout in school history. The 59-point margin of victory is also the third-largest margin in school history. Meanwhile, the shutout is the first time the Vikings have blanked an opponent since they pitched a 47-0 shutout against Minnesota, Crookston in 2005.
Augustana wasted little time in blowing open the game. The Vikings scored touchdowns on their first 3 drives and added a field goal on their fourth drive to take a 22-0 lead after 1 quarter. In all, Augie scored on 11 of 16 drives that did not end at the conclusion of a half.
Tyler Schulte opened the scoring when he hauled in a 7-yard from Luke Butler at the 12:17 mark of the first quarter. Joe Clark scored the next 2 touchdowns on runs of 62 yards and 3 yards to help the Vikings jump out to an early 19-0 lead. Ryan Grossman added the first of his two field goals of the game to push lead to 22-0.
The Vikings added two touchdowns late in the second quarter. Butler scored on an 8-yard runs with 3:37 left in the half before finding Schulte for a 12-yard score on the final play of the half to give the Vikings a 36-0 halftime advantage.
Augustana was able to give the reserves considerable playing time in the second time and they responded as three players scored their first career touchdowns. Adam Diamond scored on a 1-yard plunge, Luke Sterbick caught a 9-yard touchdown pass from Jordan Marshall and Nate Mahone capped the scoring with a 25-yard scoring run with 11:26 left in the game.
Butler enjoyed his best game of the season. He completed 14 of 24 passes for 214 yards in addition to rushing for 82 yards on 9 carries for an average of 9.1 yards per attempt. The Vikings spread the wealth offensively as eight players rushed for over 20 yards. In addition, nine players caught passes. Schulte and Joe Klumper led the way with 60 yards receiving apiece.
Defensively, the Vikings were extremely stingy. Minnesota, Crookston rushed for just 14 yards while throwing for 93. In addition, Augustana forced 5 turnovers. Brian Baumgartner had his second interception of the season, while Nick Weber and Dan O'Keefe collected their first career interceptions.
Chris Janisch anchored the defense with 9 tackles, including 2 tackles for loss. Matt Lien added 8 stops. Kevin Knapp collected 1.5 sacks and Mike Vanasek had 5 tackles, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
About the only thing that didn't go the Vikings' way was they were flagged for 13 penalties for a school-record 146 yards.
Following two straight road games, Augustana returns home next week when the Vikings will entertain 15th-ranked Minnesota Duluth in a 1 p.m. game at Howard Wood Field.
