SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -- With an unblemished road record and two consecutive wins, the Augustana football team is set to return to the road this weekend for a matchup with Concordia-St. Paul. The Vikings (5-3, 2-2 NSIC South) and the Golden Bears (4-4, 2-2 NSIC South) will kickoff at 12 p.m. from Sea Foam Stadium in St. Paul, Minn. Fans not in attendance can follow live stats and video at GoAugie.com/live.
 
Both teams come into Saturday's matchup with identical 2-2 NSIC South records, with the Vikings holding a one-game overall lead. Although the Vikings focus remains on their immediate future, Augustana is keeping one eye on the possibility of postseason play. The Vikings, who are unranked in the latest Super Region Four poll, will look to finish 8-3 and receive some regional help to lock in the programs 5th ever trip to the NCAA playoffs. For now, Augustana head coach Jerry Olszewski remains focused on what his program can control. "We can only control our ability to play well for sixty minutes on Saturday," Olszewski said, "we know we're guaranteed three more games, and we want to be our best in all of those opportunities."

In their 48-16 win over U-Mary last week, Augustana started fast and racked up 21 first-quarter points to set the tone. The Vikings used touchdowns in all three phases of the game to secure the win at Kirkeby-Over Stadium. Now, after playing four NSIC North division games, the Vikings conclude their regular season with three more NSIC South matchups.
 
After Augustana's offense led the way for the early portion of the season, it's the defense that has stepped up as of late. Over the last four games, Augustana has allowed an average of just over 250 yards and 16 points per game. With Joey Newman (11.5 TFL, 4 sacks) leading the way, the pressure from the line has strengthened the Vikings run defense. Augustana has allowed less than 75 yards rushing in three of four games, and stands 6th in run defense in the conference. Not to be overlooked, the Vikings continue to lead the NSIC in passing offense, putting up more than 313 passing yards per game. With a stout line, dangerous skill players and Kyle Saddler directing the offense, the Vikings stand 8th nationally in both passing offense and passing touchdowns. Overall, their 212 first downs (26.5 per game) lead the NSIC and stand second in the nation in DII.
 
Saturday's matchup will likely focus on each team's ability to establish the line of scrimmage and win the battle up front. Specifically, Augustana's offensive line vs. the defensive line of Concordia St. Paul. Behind a veteran line up front, the Vikings lead the NSIC with only 8 sacks allowed all season. For the Golden Bears, it's been a defensive line that has racked up 25 sacks, second best in the NSIC. Throughout the season, Augustana's offense has adjusted to the different styles of defense they faced and the Vikings will likely do the same on Saturday.
 
Moving the Chains...
 
Through eight games, Augustana has racked up 212 first downs (26.5 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 eight sacks all season, which ranks 1st in the NSIC and tied for 20th in the nation.
 
Picking Up Where They Left Off...
 
The Vikings picked off three more passes last week, including Kenneth Griffin making a house call with a 49-yard pick-six. Augustana now has nine total interceptions on the season, and Michael Kloza leads the team with four.
 
Keep Kicking To Us...
 
Behind strong efforts from sophomore Luke Fritsch, the Vikings are leading the NSIC in kick return yards, averaging more than 26 yards per game. Individually, Fritsch is 9th in the nation at 31.2 yards per kick return.
 
Knowing the North...
 
After four games vs. the NSIC North, and a 3-1 record, the Vikings now return to NSIC South play to finish the regular season. Following Concordia-St. Paul, the Vikings will take on Winona State and Southwest Minnesota State.
 
Last Time Out: Win, 48-16 vs. U-Mary
 
Playing in front of the home crowd for Viking Days, Augustana scored 21 first-quarter points to set the tone and didn't look back. Augustana went on to score in all three phases of the game, stacking up seven total touchdowns in route to a 48-16 win. The win gives Augie back-to-back victories and surpasses their total from last year.
 
The Augustana offensive line was stout once again, Kyle Saddler threw for 277 yards and two touchdowns to Nickel Meyers, and the Viking defense shut down the Marauders for just 241 total yards and three interceptions. The win marked the third straight vs. U-Mary, and Augustana now leads the all-time series, 5-2.
 
Scouting The Enemy:
 
Coming off back-to-back 2-9 seasons in 2016 and 2017, Concordia-St. Paul has already matched their win total from the last two seasons combined. At 4-4 overall, the Golden Bears are led by a strong defense that stands 5th in the conference in defense, allowing just 21 points and 357 yards per game.
 
Statistically, quarterback Dom McKinzy has thrown for over 1,200 yards and 10 touchdowns. Running back LaJuan Preston is 7th in the NSIC at 68 yards per game, and Chris Garrett is 2nd in the NSIC with 9 sacks.
 
When These Two Square Up:
 
Playing every year for the past 14 seasons, Augustana leads the all-time series 10-4 over Concordia-St. Paul. Over the last decade, the Vikings are 9-1 and have won the last three matchups. Since 2015, the Vikings are averaging more than 55 points per game vs. Concordia-St. Paul. When playing on the road in St. Paul, Minn., the Vikings have a 5-2 record
 
Most recently, the Vikings and the Golden Bears matched up Nov. 4 of 2017 with the Vikings outlasting the Golden Bears for a 28-13 win. Augustana was led by Kyle Saddler, who completed 24-40 passes for 302 yards and three touchdowns. Jake Welsheimer hauled in 8 grabs for 111 yards and two touchdowns and Ryan Bradberry was dominant, stacking up 145 yards and one touchdown.
 
Game Notes:
 

• The Vikings are perfect (4-0) on the road in 2018.
• With a minimum of three games to go in his career, Kirby Hora has 384 career tackles. He needs 36 to break the all-time school record, which is held by Bryan Schwartz with 419 (1991-1994). Hora currently has 71 tackles this season, which ranks fourth in the NSIC.
• With four sacks each, Joey Newman and Cody Kujawa are tied for the team lead and stand 15th in the NSIC. Newman is also 5th in TFLs with 11.5.
• The Vikings offensive line has only allowed eight sacks all season, which ranks 1st in the NSIC and tied for 20th in the nation.
• At 308 yards per game and 23 total touchdowns, Kyle Saddler continues to lead the NSIC in passing and stands 6th in the nation.
• Saddler has 337 passing attempts, which is just 76 away from the program record. He will need just over 25 attempts per game to break the record.
• With two more TDs last week, Nickel Meyers has seven in the last four games.
• Rudolh Sinflorant has 689 yards and seven touchdowns this season. The program's single-season rushing record is held by Joe Clark (2008) with 1,114 yards. He will need to average 142 yards per game to break the record.
• Nickel Meyers is averaging 100.4 receiving yards per game. Along with his 9 touchdowns, he currently sits 3rd in the NSIC in receiving.
• Through eight games, Augustana has racked up 212 first downs (26.5 per game). The Vikings rank first in the NSIC in first downs and stand second in the nation in DII.
• Augustana leads NSIC in kick return yards, averaging more than 26 yards per game. Individually, Fritsch is 9th in the nation at 31.2 yards per kick return.
• In week eight, for the first time all year, the Vikings scored in all three phases of the game (offense, defense, special teams).
• In week eight, with a block from Sam Roble and Isaac Weber's recovery in the end zone, the Vikings got their first punt-block touchdown this year, and first since Oct. 2017 (Brett Shepley vs. Crookston)
• In week eight, Augustana recorded three interceptions for the first time this season, including a Kenneth Griffin pick-six. Eli Weber and Ryan Wesp had the other two.
• Griffin's 49-yard interception marked his first-career interception and first Augustana's pick-six since Oct. 2017 (John Walter vs. Upper Iowa).
• In week eight Augustana held U-Mary to just 39 rushing yards, the Vikings lowest total of the year.
• In week eight, the Vikings totaled four sacks and 11 tackles, their second-best totals of the year.
• Over the last four games, Augustana has allowed an average of just 256 yards and 17 points per game on defense.
• The Vikings are 36-28 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.