PHOTO GALLERY
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - Augustana's first team prevailed in the annual Blue and Gold Spring Game, winning 24-17 in front more than 500 fans Saturday afternoon at Kirkeby-Over Stadium in Sioux Falls, S.D.
The contest pitted Augustana's first-team offensive and defensive units against the remainder of the team.
The first teamers found themselves trailing 14-0 early after a pair of miscues.
Sean Kelly returned an interception 16 yards for a score and recovered a fumble and took it back 52 yards for the game's first two touchdowns.
The top unit, though, would answer with 24 straight points.
Brock Bills jump started the first-team offense, finding paydirt from 1 yard out to make it a 14-7 contest in the second quarter. The touchdown was facilitated by a
Ross Peterson interception just before the first quarter ended.
Drew Behrens, a Don Hansen All-America honorable mention selection in 2010, drilled a 40-yard field goal before half to give his squad a 14-10 difference to work from.
Ben Parsley would haul in a 3-yard touchdown pass from
Ryan Schuetz and
Curt Truhe scored on a 14-yard rush to land the decisive blow and give the first team a 24-14 lead in the third quarter.
Ben Albrecht connected on a 30-yard field goal for the second teamers to close scoring in the contest.
Following the game, head coach Mike Aldrich announced his team's spring award winners and captains for the 2011 campaign.
Schuetz was given the Viking Valor Award for excellence on and off the field. The Twisted Metal Award went to
Aaron Jung for the top performer in
Brett Chambers' off-season training program. And
Joel Slinden (defense) and
Pat Regan (offense) earned the Most Improved awards.
Quarterback
Josh Hanson, offensive lineman
Tyler Lynch and defensive backs Dan O'Keefe and
Nick Andreas were named captains for the 2011 season.
The Vikings open the 2011 season at home on Sept. 3 in a non-conference clash with defending national champion Minnesota Duluth.
