GAME NOTES (PDF)
This week: Undefeated and No. 14-ranked Augustana (6-0, 5-0 NSIC) takes its perfect record to Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference South Division neighbor Winona State (4-2, 3-2 NSIC) on Saturday in search of its seventh win of the season. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. from Verizon Wireless Stadium in Winona, Minn.
The series: Saturday will be the fifth meeting between Augustana and Winona State in a series that began in 1973. The Warriors have won the last two contests, topping the Vikings 41-24 in 2008 and 23-21 in 2009. Last season's game came down to the wire as WSU blocked an Augustana field goal late in the game that would have given the Vikings a one-point lead.
Six wins to start: Augustana's 6-0 record to start the 2010 season is its best start in more than 65 years. The last time the Vikings began a season with such success was in 1942 when LA “Lefty” Olson guided his squad to an 8-0 campaign. Mike Aldrich is the only coach in Augustana football history to start his career with a flawless record through six games; in fact, he is the only coach in history to start his career with four wins.
100-plus for Joe: Senior
Joe Clark (Rochester, Minn.) recorded his second consecutive 100-yard rushing effort of the season in last Saturday's victory over Northern State. It was also his 10th 100-yard rushing game of his career.
Longest rush: When
Drew Behrens (Pleasant Hill) set up for a “rugby punt” last Saturday against Northern State, he probably didn't expect to rattle off the longest rushing play this season for the Vikings. The sophomore kicker, though, improvised and covered 42 yards to give the Vikings a first down and, more importantly, a spark. The rush edged
Joe Clark's 41-yard run against Concordia University St. Paul on Oct. 2. Augustana finished the drive with a go-ahead touchdown.
Big game for Big Ben: Wide receiver Ben Parlsey (Flandreau, S.D.) had two catches for 10 yard last Saturday against Northern State, but the sophomore made the most of his touches, hauling in two touchdown passes in the win. Both of his scores came in the second quarter and both were 5-yard strikes. Parlsey has six catches for 64 yards in 2010.
Unbeatens: There are just two undefeated teams left in the NSIC, both of which sport 6-0 records. Minnesota Duluth and Augustana hold the distinction of being the lone pair of school's out of the conferences 14 that have a blemish-free record. These two teams, however, will not meet in the regular season this year.
The South showdown: Saturday's matchup with Winona State features two teams who have yet to lose a game in the NSIC South Division. Both clubs own a 2-0 divisional record. The game could have some major implications when it comes to determining the South Division champion this season.
Keelin' it: He's the anchor of a dominant linebacking crew, and he picked off a pass and recovered a fumble last Saturday against Northern State.
Andrew Keel (Winter Springs, Fla.) had his second consecutive week with an interception and third total pick of his career. The fumble recovery was also the third of his career. The senior has charted 38 tackles this season and 261 in his career.
Football forecast: Saturday's forecast calls for a high of 65 degrees and a sunny sky.
National news: Augustana climbed one spot and is ranked No. 14 in the American Football Coaches Association poll released Monday. The Vikings received 299 points to move up from their No. 15 spot last week. Grand Valley State received 20 first-place votes and 643 points to again take the No. 1 position. Two Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference teams are in this week's top 25. Besides Augustana, Minnesota Duluth checked in at No. 2.
Up and up: Since making their first appearance in the poll on Sept. 20, the Vikings have made a jump every week. To view a breakdown of where Augustana has been ranked this season, turn to page 6.
Here's the best: The highest national ranking an Augustana football team has ever received is when the 1989 squad was tabbed No. 11. According to a news release from Augustana Information Services dated Nov. 15, 1989, “Augustana was rated No. 11 in the final Division II Poll.” The Vikings finished the 1989 season 8-3-1 (6-2-1 North Central Conference) and advanced to the NCAA playoffs before falling to St. Cloud State 27-20 in St. Cloud, Minn.
Stop the run: Augustana's run defense is quickly becoming one of the most dominant in the country. The Vikings are allowing just 55.2 rushing yards per game. In conference games, Augustana allows just 52.6 yards per contest. Twice this season the Vikings have held their opponent to less than 15 yards on the ground (9 yards at Bemidji State; 14 yards vs. Southwest Minnesota State; 7 yards vs. Northern State).
Home and away: Saturday will be the Augustana's third game this season on the road. While the Vikings are perfect thus far in 2010, their best performances have come in the confines of Kirkeby-Over Stadium. In fact, Augustana is better in nearly every major statistical category at home.
In the air and on the ground: Not only has quarterback
Josh Hanson (Watertown, S.D.) been productive throwing the ball, he has also been a legitimate threat to run the ball. Last week against Northern State, the sophomore threw for 174 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for another 87 yards and a score. Hanson finished the game 18 of 30 through the air, while his 87 yards rushing came on 17 carries. The sophomore leads the conference with 267.4 passing yards per game.
Closing in: Senior running back
Joe Clark (Rochester, Minn.) is inching closer to becoming Augustana's all-time leading rusher. The shifty runner is just 108 yards from tying Chris San Agustin's (1987-1990) career record of 3,098 yards. Clark is hardly a stranger to the Viking record book; he already holds the record for rushing yards in a season (1,114 in 2008).
Take me to your leaders: Four seniors will serve as the Vikings captains for the 2010 season.
Tyler Schulte,
Chris Janisch,
Eric Bergman and
Dan Schoen have been chosen to lead Augustana this year; a special teams captain will also be named each week.
We like Mike: The Mike Aldrich era is officially underway. The first-year head coach served as the Vikings' defensive coordinator the past four seasons and has a plethora of experience coaching in the collegiate ranks, including stops at Louisville, California Lutheran, College of the Sequoias and St. Olaf.
They're back:?The Vikings return a total of 17 starters from last year's squad (seven on offense, six on defense, and four specialists).
According to the coaches: The NSIC's 14 head coaches picked Augustana to finish third overall in their Preseason Coaches' Poll. Minnesota Duluth was tabbed the preseason favorite by the conference's 14 head coaches. Augustana was also picked to finish second in the seven-team NSIC South Division. The Vikings, who received one first-place vote in the South Division rankings, received 125 points in the overall rankings and 27 points in the South Division rankings.
The house that Bob built: 2010 marks the second season in the lavish Kirkeby-Over Stadium for the Vikings. Made possible by a lead gift of $6.1 million by Bob and Kari Hall, K-O Stadium has gained the reputation of being one of the best football facilities in NCAA Division II.
Bob Hall, who serves as Augustana's equipment manager, has been instrumental in the construction of several athletic facilities on campus. As Bob has always said, “It's for the kids.”
History lesson: Augustana is in its 88th year of competition in 2010. The Vikings own an all-time record of 360-434-15. Augustana has recorded 30 winning seasons, including the past two years.
About Augustana: Sporting a perfect record, the Vikings will look to win their seventh straight on Saturday at Winona State. Augustana boasts a blend of powerful offense and shut-down defense. The Vikings average more than 450 yards of total offense and allow around 250 yards.
Joe Clark, who could become Augustana's all-time leading rusher on Saturday, averages 71.2 yards on the ground per game.
Josh Hanson is throwing for 265.5 yards per game and distributes to a nucleus of productive receivers (three have at least 10 catches). The Vikings also rely on offensive production from their kicker
Drew Behrens, who has drilled 11 field goals this season.
Ryan Isaacson and
Chris Janisch each have a team-best 41 tackles; Isaacson also leads the Vikings with 6.5 tackles for loss.
About Winona State: Tom Sawyer's Warriors own a 4-2 record and are 3-2 in conference play. Ryan Simmons' 89.5 rushing yards per game paces WSU, which averages 414.8 yards of total offense per outing. Evan Aber has thrown for 1429 yards and 15 touchdowns this season and has only been intercepted three times. His favorite target is Derrick Engel, who has hauled in 26 passes for 406 yards and four touchdowns. Defensively, Cody Dummer has a team-leading 44 tackles, including 5.5 for loss.
The Augustana Coaches' Show: Live from the Gateway Lounge in Sioux Falls, The Augustana Coaches' Show airs each Monday at 5 p.m. Join Jeff Fylling and Augustana head coaches as they discuss various topics surrounding Viking athletics.
Stay connected: Follow Augustana all season long on its official online home, www.GoAugie.com. You can also get the latest news and updates on the Vikings on Facebook (www.facebook.com/GoAugie) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/GoAugie). To view video highlights and the latest episode of the Augustana Sportscene, log onto the Vikings' official YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/GoAugie).
