SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Fresh off their most sound victory of the year, the Augustana football team will now have one of their toughest tests of the season as they welcome in No. 7 Minnesota Duluth to Kirkeby-Over Stadium for a Saturday showdown. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. in Sioux Falls, and fans not in attendance can watch live at GoAugie.com/live. Saturday's contest is also the annual "Be Bold. Wear Gold" game at Augustana - all fans who wear gold to the game can receive $5 admission. "Be Bold. Wear Gold," is in support of childhood cancer awareness.

The story of Saturday's game comes down to a matchup of strength on strength. At more than 500 yards per game, Augustana (3-2, 2-2 NSIC South) leads the Northern Sun Conference and stands 8th nationally in total offense. The Vikings also average more than 34 points per game. Up north, No. 7 Minnesota Duluth (5-0, 4-0 NSIC North) has been dominating teams with their defense. The Bulldog defense ranks first in the NSIC and 2nd in the nation, allowing just over 200 yards per game and 9.8 points per game.

Augustana head coach Jerry Olszewski is confident his team can find success by executing four quarters of football. "We can't wait to come back to K.O in front of our great home crowd," Olszewski said, "I know this team will play at a high level of championship football and we're already excited for kickoff."

Once again, one of the biggest keys for the Vikings will be the play of the line on both sides of the ball. Augustana's offensive line has played stout this season, allowed just four sacks in five games (2nd in the NSIC). That success has helped Kyle Saddler develop into a potent pocket passer, leading the NSIC and standing 6th in the nation (DII) in passing yards per game at 317.2. Look for the Vikings rushing attack to continue to build off last weeks performance where they racked up 248 yards (7.3 average) on the ground. Defensively, the Vikings got after the quarterback last week totaling four sacks and nine tackles for a loss. Junior linebacker Kyle Theis set a new career-high in sacks with two (-9 yards) and finished with 9 total tackles.

With a veteran line allowing Saddler time to throw, look for the Vikings receivers to continue to bring in a balanced attack. Sioux Falls native Nickel Meyers and Sean Engel both finished with a pair of touchdowns last week, and the Vikings now have five receivers averaging at least 30 yards per game on the season.

Last Time Out: Win, 48-3 vs. Minnesota Crookston

In cold conditions in northern Minnesota, Augustana scored on all six first-half possessions en route to a 45-point win over Minnesota Crookston. The Vikings clicked on all three phases, with the defense having their best performance of the year - Crookston was held to just 10 first downs and 131 yards of total offense. Offensively, Saddler led another explosive day for Augustana. The sophomore threw for 282 yards and 5 touchdowns as the Vikings improved to 3-0 on the road in 2018.

Scouting The Enemy:

Off to another strong start in 2018, the University of Minnesota Duluth football program is 5-0 (4-0 NSIC North) and ranked 7th in the nation in DII. Although their offense has played solid, it's been their defense that has truly carried the torch in 2018. The Bulldogs rank first in the NSIC and 2nd nationally (DII) in yards allowed at just over 200 per game. Duluth has allowed 49 points in five games, which also leads the NSIC and is 2nd in the nation (DII).

Statistically, Duluth is sparked by an offense that's averaging 41.6 points per game. Quarterback John Larson has thrown for just over 1,000 yards with 9 touchdowns. The sophomore has a dual-threat ability and leads the team in rushing at just over 60 yards per game. This will be Duluth's second NSIC South matchup of the year.

When These Two Square Up:

Augustana and Minnesota Duluth's history dates back more than 15 years on the gridiron and the two programs have played 11 times overall. The Bulldogs own a 9-2 advantage and have picked up eight straight wins in the series. However, the last three matchups have showcased just how close these two programs are. In addition to an overtime game in 2014, all five of the last matchups have been decided by 11 points or less.

The last time the Vikings and Bulldogs played was in Sept. of 2016, and although the Vikings scored early and often and built a 19-10 lead, Minnesota Duluth out-scored then-No. 16 Augustana 31-19 in the second half for a 41-38 win. The last home matchup for the Vikings took place in 2014, a 23-22 loss to the Bulldogs in overtime.

Game Notes:

• The Vikings held Minnesota Crookston to 131 yards of total offense.  It's the lowest total yards since the Vikings allowed just 129 vs. U-Mary (Sept. 2014).
   
• Saturday's victory also marked the second time this year Augustana has held an opponent to less than 100 yards rushing (67 vs. Wayne State).
   
• Kirby Hora added 9 more tackles, and now stands 5th in the NSIC with 45 tackles (25 solo).
   
• Shahan Ameen scored his first career touchdown last week while also finishing with a career-best 114 yards.
   
• Saddler's 5 touchdown passes are not only a career-high but are the most for a Vikings QB since Trey Heid in 2016 (vs. Concordia-St. Paul).
   
• Both Nickel Meyers and Sean Engel hauled in a career-best two touchdown grabs. It's the first time this season the Vikings have had two players with multiple touchdowns.
   
• Saddler leads the NSIC and stands 6th in the nation (DII) in passing yards per game at 317.2.
   
• At more than 500 yards per game, Augustana leads the NSIC and stands 8th nationally in total offense.
   
• Overall, Augustana's offensive line has allowed just four sacks in five games (2nd in the NSIC).
   
• At 34.4 points per game, the Vikings stand 5th in the NSIC and top 50 nationally.
   
• With an average of 27.1 per return, the Vikings lead the NSIC in kickoff returns and sit 7th nationally (DII).
   
• Rudy Sinflorant has 519 yards and five touchdowns this season, and is halfway to the program's single-season rushing record, which is held by Joe Clark (2008) with 1,114 yards.
   
• The Vikings have five players averaging more than 30 receiving yards per game.
   
• Augustana leads the nation (DII) in first downs with 150.
   
• Saddler's 61 attempts in week four stands second all-time in program history. Pat Graham  (62 vs. Minnesota State in 1995) holds the record.
   
• In week four, the Vikings blocked both a punt and a field goal for the first time in two years. Cody Kujawa (punt) and Logan Swanson (field goal) were credited on the plays.  
   
• Junior DB Michael Kloza has picked off all three of Augustana's interceptions this year.  
   
• The Vikings are 34-27 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.