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Vikings in Tunnel
Josh Jurgens

Augustana Returns Home for Viking Days Kickoff

Homecoming vs. U-Mary is set for 1 p.m. at Kirkeby-Over Stadium

10/18/2018 12:07:00 PM

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -- Following a dominant 21-point fourth quarter performance and win last week, the Augustana football team will look to carry their momentum into Kirkeby-Over stadium on Saturday for the annual Viking Days homecoming game.  With four games to go in the regular season, the Viking's focus remains on finishing strong in each play, quarter, and game. Kickoff at K.O. between Augustana (4-3, 2-2 NSIC South), and U-Mary (0-7, 0-4 NSIC North) is set for 1 p.m., and fans not in attendance can watch the game on GoAugie.com/live.
 
One of Augustana's longest standing traditions, homecoming weekend, dates back to the first celebration on Oct. 24, 1924. Named 'Viking Days' in 1929, this tradition remains one of the most celebrated times of the year when alumni return to reminisce, reconnect and make new memories at their alma mater. Augustana head coach Jerry Olszewski loves being part of the weekend and connecting his current student-athletes with Vikings of the past. "Homecoming is always a special and unique tradition here at Augustana," Olszewski said, "we have a loyal following, and it's humbling to see our past players connect with our current team and knowing they share that common bond of being a Viking for life." Last year, the Vikings rolled to a 30-8 win over Southwest Minnesota State on homecoming.


 
Through seven games, the storyline of the Vikings season has been a high-powered offense and potent passing attack. Starting with outstanding play from the offensive line, the Vikings have allowed just seven sacks all year, which is 1st in the NSIC and 20th nationally. With time to throw and surrounded by skill players, sophomore Kyle Saddler has grown into one of the best quarterbacks in the conference. Saddler leads the NSIC with 2190 passing yards and 20 touchdowns. His average yards per game of 312.9 also stand 4th in the nation (DII). Equally impressive is the play of the Vikings wide receivers. Following a monster, 12-catch, 218-yard game, Nickel Meyers earned week seven NSIC Offensive Player of the Week honors. The junior is now second in the NSIC and 12th in the nation, hauling in an average of six catches for 101.4 yards per game. Overall, the Vikings have five players that average more than 30 receiving yards per game. Running back Rudolh Sinflorant has 685 yards and six touchdowns this season, and now needs less than 500 yards to break the program's single-season rushing record. (Joe Clark, 1,114 yards, 2008).
 
After a challenge from coach OJ, the Vikings defense has also played lights-out as of late. Over the last three games, Augustana has allowed an average of just 259 yards and 17 points per game.  A week ago vs. Northern State, the Augustana defensive line flexed on the wolves, forcing QB Hunter Trautman out of the pocket all afternoon. The Vikings were credited with six sacks and recorded 10 tackles for a loss and two turnovers. On Saturday, look for the Vikings defense to continue to dominate up front and have another strong day.
 
The University of Mary will come into Sioux Falls Saturday looking for their first win of the year and attempt to snap an 11-game losing streak. Under first-year head coach Craig Bagnell, the Marauders have been outscored by an average of 27 points point per game, second-worst in the NSIC.
 
After a winning season in 2013, the Marauders have fallen on hard times of late. Over the last four seasons, they're just 3-37. The last time Augustana and U-Mary squared up (Sept. 2016), the Vikings cruised to a 63-0 win.
 
Moving the Chains...
 
Through seven games, Augustana has racked up 192 first downs (27.4 per game). The Vikings rank first in the NSIC in first downs and stand second in the nation in DII.
 
Protecting The Passer...
 
The Vikings offensive line has only allowed seven sacks all season, which ranks 1st in the NSIC and tied for 20th in the nation.
 
Picking Up Where They Left Off...
 
After starting the year with two interceptions, DB Michael Kloza picked off his 4th pass of the year last week. The Vikings now have six picks on the season with Kirby Hora and Cody Kujawa having the other two.
 
Keep Kicking To Us...
 
Behind stout efforts from sophomore Luke Fritsch, the Vikings are leading the NSIC in kick return yards, averaging more than 26 per game. Individually, Fritsch is 12th in the nation at 30.8 yards per kick return.
 
Knowing the North...
 
Saturday marks the final of four inter-division matchups (South vs. North) the Vikings will play this year. Starting Oct. 27 at Concordia-St. Paul, Augustana will round out their regular season with three more NSIC South opponents.
 
Last Time Out: Win, 42-21 at Northern State
 
With a focus on 'finishing' all week long, the Vikings did just that last week in Aberdeen. A back and forth game early, the two sides were tied at 21 in the 3rd quarter. Augustana then took over scoring 21 unanswered points in the 4th to roll to a 42-21 win.
 
Most impressive, the Vikings were able to execute in all three phases on the game. On offense, Kyle Saddler finished with 460 passing yards and five touchdowns. Defensively, the Vikings line disrupted the Wolves all day and Joey Newman finished with multiple TFL's and a strip sack. Luis Guarita made all six of his PATS, and Luke Fritsch gave the Vikings solid field position on each kick return.
 
Scouting The Enemy:
 
The University of Mary looked to get their 2018 season off to a strong start, losing just 14-13 to St. Cloud State on opening night. However, since then the Marauders have been outscored by an average of 27 points point per game, second-worst in the NSIC.  Stretching two seasons, U-Mary's 11-game losing streak is the longest in the league. Under first-year head coach Craig Bagnell, the Marauders average 281 yards and 15 points per game. After a winning season in 2013, the Marauders have fallen on hard times of late. Over the last four seasons, they're just 3-37.
 
When These Two Square Up:
 
Playing for the first time in 2007, Augustana University and the University of Mary have only six games in their all-time history. The Vikings lead the all-time series 4-2, but the teams are 2-2 in their last four matchups.
 
Most recently, the Vikings and the Marauders squared up in Sept. 2016 in Bismarck, N.D. with the Vikings cruising to a 63-0 win. Augustana started strong and finished with a season-high 569 yards of total offense, including 388 yards through the air and 181 rushing yards.
 
Game Notes:
 
  • The Vikings offensive line has only allowed seven sacks in seven games, which ranks 1st in the NSIC and 20th in the nation.
  • Kyle Saddler threw for a career-best 460 yards and five touchdowns in week seven. With 312.9 passing yards per game, the sophomore leads the NSIC and stands 4th in the nation in passing.
  • Nickel Meyers finished with career-best 12 grabs for 218 receiving yards and two touchdowns in week seven. Meyers becomes the first Viking to have more than 200 receiving yards since Charlie Hayes finished with 214 yards vs. Minnesota State (10/2015).
  • Meyers is now second in the NSIC and 12th in the nation with an average of six catches for 101.4 yards per game.
  • Overall, the Vikings have five players that average more than 30 receiving yards per game.
  • In week seven, Brett Shepley's 69-yard reception marked the longest completion of the season for Augustana, and the Viking's first completion of over 60 yards since Nov. 2016 (Trey Hied, 76 yards).
  • Rudolh Sinflorant has 685 yards and six touchdowns this season. The program's single-season rushing record is held by Joe Clark (2008) with 1,114 yards. He'll need to average 108 yards per game to break the record.
  • Sinflorant is currently second in the NSIC at 110.8 rushing yards per game.
  • Augustana's defense limited Northern State to just 254 yards of offense. It's the time this year the Vikings have held a team to less than 260 yards of offense (at Minnesota Crookston).
  • Over the last three games, Augustana has allowed an average of just 259 yards and 17 points per game. 
  • In week seven, Joey Newman had a season-best 3.5 tackles for a loss. Newman also had multiple hurries and a strip sack.
  • In week seven, the Vikings allowed less than 50 rushing yards for the first time since Nov. 1, 2017 (32 vs. Concordia-St. Paul).
  • In week seven, the Vikings defense racked up a season-high 45 solo tackles.
  • All-American Kirby Hora leads the team with 66 tackles. His 9.4 takedowns per game rank 3rd in the NSIC.
  • Michael Kloza now has 4 interceptions on the year, which leads the team and stands third in the NSIC.
  • After seven games, sophomore Luke Fritsch leads the NSIC at 30.8 yards per kick return. The marks put him 12th in the nation. 
  • Augustana is now 4-0 on the road in 2018.
  • The Vikings are 35-28 all-time under head coach Jerry Olszewski, with coach 'OJ' earning his first ever win as a Viking at MSU Moorhead in the 2013 season-opener, 41-28.
 
 
 
 
 
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