SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - Defensively, Augustana had another great season in 2014 after allowing just 18.5 points per game, third fewest in the NSIC. The Vikings also allowed just 217 first downs, also third fewest in the NSIC, and ranked sixth in the league in red zone defense at 77.8 percent.

The Vikings are young on the line, have a veteran in the middle at linebacker, and return every single defensive back from last season. With the fast tempo, multiple unit look of the Viking defense, expect to see a lot of new faces when the Code Blue defense takes the field.

"Holding teams to just 18 points a game, especially in the NSIC, with some of the high-powered offenses is great and should put you in a spot to be in a lot of games," Olszewski said. "We truly believe that we can be one of the best defenses in the country. We play fast,disciplined and together."

Fans understand what it means to have a fast tempo "no-huddle" offense, but the Viking defense has put its own stamp on that term playing at an up-tempo pace using multiple units.

"We want to be fresh, and that's the deal," Olszewski said. "Obviously we want our best 11 to be on the field for the majority of the time but we truly believe that everybody has a part of the success. We get a lot of snaps out of a lot of kids on a weekly basis, both in games and in practice."

Defensive Line
The Viking defense took a hit up front last season due to graduation. Augustana graduated six defensive linemen from last season and will return one starter in junior Bryson Hamilton.

"We have a lot of bodies at the defensive line position, but not a lot of snaps in them," Olszewski said. "It's going to be a fun fall camp to see who brings their A-game to the table because there is going to be a lot of competition."
 

Hamilton, at 6-foot-4, 234 pounds, has played all 22 games of his career at the end position and had a breakout sophomore campaign.

Hamilton played in all 11 games as a true freshman in 2013 and used the experience to his advantage recording 42 tackles (13 solo), including 5.5 tackles for loss as a sophomore last season. Hamilton will lead a young group of defensive lineman into the 2015 season.

Jamal Samaha is the only senior on the defensive line for the Vikings in 2015. Samaha has played in 25 career games for Augustana, recording 31 career tackles and 1.5 sacks. Joe Schiller, a sophomore from Coon Rapids, Minn., played as a true freshman in 2013 but sat out last season earning a redshirt also returns.

Linebackers
Right in the middle of the huddle and the Viking defense will be senior linebacker and two-time All-NSIC selection Brandon Mohr. Mohr, who was named to the USA College Football Preseason All-America Second Team, led the team with 106 tackles last season. He recorded double-digit  tackles in six of 11 games last season and will serve as a team captain in 2015.

"Brandon is one of the best linebackers in the NSIC," Olszewski said. "He is a true student of the game and wants to be a coach and I think he'll be a great one. All of our kids look up to Brandon and he puts us in the right spot to succeed. He is a true competitor, loves to win, hates to lose and wants to do things the right way."

At outside linebacker, Augustana has two seniors that will lead at both spots heading into fall camp. Steven Miller and Jackson Rynda have been major contributors not only to the Viking defense but also on special teams and both will have a shot to take their place leading the linebackers.

Miller has played in 28 career games for Augustana, after missing five due to an injury in 2013, and has recorded 66 career tackles, including a career-high 27 last season.

"Steven has earned this spot and has been a linebacker in the system for a long time now and without question has been a very impactful special teams player," Olszewski said. "I'm excited for him, he's primed to have a great senior season for us."

Rynda has appeared in 31 games and recorded 33 career tackles, including 16 last season.

"Jackson has been sitting behind a two-time First Team All-NSIC selection in Ben Skelly, so he's excited for the opportunity to step in there," Olszewski said. "He had a really good spring so I'm excited to see what he can do."

A wealth of youth at the linebacker position sits back waiting for its opportunity to see the field and with the Vikings up-tempo style, look to see numerous faces in the backfield this season. Redshirt freshmen Matt Wagner, Graham Fritz, Kirby Hora, Carlton Djam and Colton Steer will all battle for playing time at the linebacker position heading into fall camp.A lot of depth at the linebacker position will allow for a lot of faces to be seen on the field. Nevin Andreas and John Waters both saw time at linebacker last season. Andreas appeared in nine games, making 14 tackles while Waters also appeared in nine games and made nine tackles.

The final piece of the 2015 Augustana season preview will be released tomorrow. The last installment features the defensive backfield and special teams. 

Third-year head coach Jerry Olszewski will welcome 102 players to fall camp on Friday, Aug. 14. The Vikings will hold their first practice on Saturday, Aug. 15 and are set to open the season on the road at Bemidji State on Saturday, Sept. 5. Augustana's home opener is set for Sept. 12 against St. Cloud State.