GAME NOTES (PDF)
This week: Augustana (0-0, 0-0 NSIC) and St. Cloud State (0-0, 0-0 NSIC) meet in both teams' season openers--this one a non-conference tilt between the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference neighbors--on Saturday at 1 p.m. The contest marks the Vikings' second season in their new home, Kirkeby-Over Stadium.
The series: Saturday's game marks the 34th meeting between Augustana and St. Cloud State in a series that began in 1950. The Vikings are 13-20 against the Huskies. Augustana, however, is riding a four-game winning streak, including a 38-16 win over SCSU last season on the road.
Let's go Joe: Senior running back
Joe Clark (Rochester, Minn.) is on pace to become Augustana's all-time leading rusher in 2010. The shifty runner is just 535 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).
The Berg is the word: Senior defensive lineman
Eric Bergman (Clear Lake, Minn.) was named Consensus Draft Services Preseason All-America in June. An All-NSIC South Division honorable mention pick in 2009, Bergman started all 12 games last season and recorded 52 tackles. He also had 6.5 sacks and 12.5 tackles for loss--both team bests.
We like Mike: It will be Mike Aldrich's first time stepping onto the field as the head coach of the Augustana football program Saturday. Aldrich served as the Vikings' defensive coordinator the past four seasons and has a plethora of experience of coaching in the collegiate ranks, including stops at Louisville, California Lutheran, College of the Sequoias and St. Olaf.
Receiving votes: Augustana football team received votes in the first two American Football Coaches Association Division II Coaches' Poll of 2010. The Vikings earned 22 votes in the second rankings of the season. Northwest Missouri State, the defending national champion, took the No. 1 spot with 643 points and 23 first-place votes. Augustana was one of six NSIC teams to make the top 25 or receive votes. Conference neighbors Minnesota Duluth (No. 3), Minnesota State (No. 18), Winona State (No. 24), Wayne State (No. 25) and Bemidji State (43 votes) also made an appearance in the poll.
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.
Keeping a watch: In conjunction with the NSIC Preseason Coaches' Poll, the conference also cited two athletes from each team as “Players to Watch” for the upcoming season. Offensive utility-man
Tyler Schulte (Sioux Falls) and linebacker
Chris Janisch (Sioux Falls) were the Vikings' recipients of the recognition. One of the NSIC's most versatile players, Schulte caught 44 passes for 641 yards last season en route to picking up his second straight All-NSIC South Division first team accolade. A model of consistency, Schulte caught at least two passes in every game last season, excluding a game against Concordia University, St. Paul in which he played quarterback. Janisch led Augustana with 95 tackles last season, including a 17-stop performance against St. Cloud State in the Vikings' season opener. The junior charted three 10-plus tackle performances on the season. He also recorded nine tackles for loss in 2009. Janisch is a two-time All-NSIC South Division selection, earning honorable mention honors in 2009 and second team accolades in 2008.
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).
Football forecast: Saturday looks to be a perfect afternoon for the Vikings to open the 2010 campaign. The forecast calls for a high of 76 degrees with mostly sunny skies.
Vikings in openers: Augustana has won its last four season openers--two of them against St. Cloud State. The last time the Vikings lost their home opener was in 2003 when Northern State edged the Vikings 24-21 in Aberdeen, S.D. The Vikings have also won their last two home openers. Concordia University, St. Paul posted the last win over Augustana in its home opener after shading the Vikings 20-19 in 2007.
I am Sam: Junior
Sam Holsen (Sioux Falls) will be one of Augustana's go-to receivers this season after nearly having 1,000 yards in 2009. He's got a knack for having big games—charting three 100-plus yards performances last season. Holsen had the pinnacle of big games last season when he caught 11 passes for 267 yards at Wayne State (Neb.) on Oct. 4. But it was his consistency that turned heads; Holsen averaged more than 100 yards receiving per game. The local product is also utilized on kick and punt returns.
QB-1: Sophomore signal caller
Josh Hanson (Watertown, S.D.) has been designated as Augustana's starting quarterback for the Vikings' season opener. He will have a large spot to fill as the Vikings lost
Luke Butler—who threw for 2,462 and a school-record 26 touchdowns—to graduation. Hanson is not completely new to running the offense. He appeared in five games in 2009 before suffering a season-ending injury. In his handful of appearances, Hanson completed 8 of 14 passes for 100 yards.
Air it out: With a potent batch of receivers on hand, Augustana will likely go to the air a fair share in 2010. Last season, the Vikings threw for at least 200 yards in all but two games. Augustana has its top three receivers back in
Tyler Schulte,
Sam Holsen and
Joe Clark.
Defensive presence: Augustana's linebacker crew figures to be a solid anchor to an already experienced defensive unit. The Vikings return their two top tacklers from a year ago in seniors
Chris Janisch and
Andrew Keel (Winter Springs, Fla.). Janisch finished 2009 with a team-best 94 tackles, while Keel was close behind with 89.
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 354-433-15. Augustana has recorded 30 winning seasons, including the past two years.
Let's go bowling: The Vikings are coming off back-to-back appearances in the Mineral Water Bowl. Augustana is 1-1 in its two appearances, having defeated Missouri Western State 37-16 in 2008 but falling to the Griffon 34-21 last season. The Mineral Water Bowl annually features one team each from the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference and Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association.
Senior momentum: The 2010 roster features 14 seniors, all of whom have played an important roll during their careers as Vikings.
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.
About Augustana: Augustana returns nine all-conference performers from last season's 8-4 (7-3 NSIC) team. Senior wide receiver
Tyler Schulte, senior running back
Joe Clark, junior wide receiver
Sam Holsen and senior offensive lineman
Tyler Lynch highlight the Vikings' experienced offensive corps. The defense is anchored by a host of veteran personnel in Janisch, junior and senior defensive linemen
Brady MacIver and
Eric Bergman, senior linebacker
Andrew Keel and junior defensive back
Nick Andreas.
About St. Cloud State: St. Cloud State is coming off back-to-back 7-4 seasons. While the Huskies lost their first three games of the 2009 season, they went on to rattle off victories in seven of their eight final games, including a season ending win over previously undefeated and nationally ranked Minnesota State, Mankato. SCSU's entire offensive line is intact from last season. Two-time All-NSIC selection Scott Ferguson and All-NSIC pick Matt Theis anchor the returners up front. Similarly, the defensive figures to be strong up front, too. The Huskies have two returning seniors in Josh Popanda and Joe Winandy and returning juniors in Joel Godfredsen and Titus Cole. SCSU was picked third overall (tied with Augustana) and second in the North Division in the NSIC Preseason Coaches' Poll.
Stay connected: Following Augustana all season long on its official online home, www.GoAugie.com. You can also get the latest on 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).
Up next: Augustana opens play in the NSIC with a Sept. 11 date at Bemidji State. Kick-off is set for 1 p.m.; KIKN 100.5 FM and Jeff Fylling will carry the game. You can also catch the KIKN audio webcast at www.kikn.com/stream.
