Box Score
Augustana opened its new home, Kirkeby-Over Stadium, in grand fashion by defeating Emporia State 32-21 in a non-conference game Saturday afternoon in front of a crowd of 6,067 fans.
Playing on campus for the first time in 51 seasons the Vikings rebounded from giving up an early touchdown to score 26 unanswered points as they improved to 2-0 on the season. Emporia State, meanwhile, slipped to 1-1.
Emporia State struck first on its opening possession as La'Darrian Page scampered 68 yards for a touchdown on the Hornets' second play from scrimmage. The extra point was blocked by Augustana's Kevin Knapp, leaving ESU with a 6-0 lead.
For the next 3 quarters, Augustana controlled the game on both sides of the ball. On their next possession, the Vikings tied the score as they drove 70 yards in 7 plays, capped by a Tyler Schulte 3-yard run. It was the first of 4 Schulte touchdowns on the afternoon. The PAT was also blocked, knotting the score at 6-6.
On the first play of the second quarter, Schulte hauled in a 12-yard touchdown reception from Luke Butler to take a 13-6 lead. The score capped a 6-play, 36-yard drive that was set up by a 37-yard punt return by Sam Holsen.
Butler and Schulte connected again right before halftime to give the Vikings additional momentum going into the locker room. The duo hooked up for a 15-yard scoring strike with 21 seconds left in the first half to give Augie a 20-6 halftime advantage.
Josh Hanson drilled field goals of 42 and 27 yards in the third quarter to increase the Viking lead to 26-6 heading into the final period.
Emporia State's Andre Sloan El scored on an 11-yard run with 14:35 left in the fourth quarter to make the score 26-13, but the Augustana defense took over from there. The Vikings forced 3 turnovers in the fourth quarter to thwart any Hornet comeback.
The big turnover came with just over 9 minutes left in the game when Nick Kaufman recovered an ESU fumble at the Hornet 11. On the very next play, Schulte took a direct snap and squirted 11 yards before diving into the end zone with his fourth touchdown of the game. The score put the Vikings in front 32-13 with 9:14 left to play.
Augustana's defense held Emporia State's vaunted running game in check, limiting the Hornets to 88 yards on the ground, and just 20 yards after Page's touchdown. ESU rushed for 399 yards last week against Southwestern Oklahoma State.
The Vikings also finished with 4 turnovers, including a pair of interceptions by Nick Andreas. In addition, Augie recorded 3 sacks, all by Mike Vanasek, who finished with a team-high 9 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, all of which were career highs.
Offensively, Augustana gaind 300 total yards, 133 on the ground and 167 through the air. While tailback Joe Clark was held to 57 yards rushing, he caught a career-high 7 passes for a career-high 58 yards. Schulte finished with 36 yards on 4 receptions. Butler finished the day completing 18 of 33 passes for 167 yards and the 2 scores.
Page rushed for 96 yards to lead all rushers. Sloan El passed for 130 yards, while Danny McEvoy caught 5 passes for 100 yards.
Augustana remains at home next week when the Vikings return to Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play against Minnesota, Crookston. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at Kirkeby-Over Stadium.
