SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -- Augustana football will head back on the road Saturday, looking to return to the win column as they matchup with Wayne State under the lights at Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. in Wayne, Neb.
 
The Vikings (1-1, 1-1 NSIC South) opened the year with an impressive comeback win over Upper Iowa, and most recently, took No. 3 Minnesota state to the wire, losing on the final play of the game, 38-36. The Wildcats (1-1, 1-1 South) opened their season with a loss to No. 14 Winona State, but bounced back with a 23-14 win over Southwest Minnesota State last Saturday.
 
The story on Augustana's young season starts with their high-powered offense attack, led by quarterback Kyle Saddler. Through two games, the sophomore leads the nation (DII) in total passing yards with 751 and ranks 8th in points scored with 42. Saddler is also directing a Vikings passing attack that is second in the nation overall, averaging more than 375 yards per game. Not to be overlooked, Saddler has received terrific help from a veteran offensive line, including center Jake Lacina, and senior guards Brett Kramer and Cody Rofshus. 
 
Behind them, sophomore Rudy Sinflorant stepped in as the feature back and has played solid. He is averaging more than 90 yards per game and his downhill style has helped him collect three touchdowns this season. True freshman Braiden Petersen has stepped in as well and adds another layer to the thunder and lightning rushing game.
 
Defensively, the Vikings have played well but haven't tapped into their full potential. The linebacker group is as solid as ever with junior Kyle Theis coming off a monster game in which he recorded a career-best 17 tackles and one sack and is now 5th in the NSIC in tackles. Behind the linebackers, it's been a breakout season for defensive back Michael Kloza as he leads the nation with three interceptions. Also, keep an eye out on the defensive line to make some noise this week.
 
Last Time Out:
Loss, 38-36 vs. No. 3 Minnesota State
 
The Vikings opened their 2018 home schedule against No. 3 Minnesota State, and literally battled to the final whistle against one of the nation's best. With two seconds left in the 4th quarter and the Vikings trailing 38-30, Saddler rolled out to his left and dove into the end zone for a touchdown. However, the Vikings couldn't secure a two-point conversion and came up short again the Mavericks.
 
The Vikings racked up more than 500 yards of offense, 27 first downs, and no turnovers. Augustana dropped to 1-1 overall (1-1 NSIC South) and are now 23-26 all-time vs. the Mavericks.
 
Scouting The Enemy:
 
Wayne State, 1-1 (1-1 NSIC South), started off their season with a 41-28 loss to No. 14 Winona State but bounced back with a solid win over SMSU last Saturday on the road in Marshall, Minn.
 
Statistically, the Wildcats are led by junior quarterback Aaron Bleil, who has already accounted for seven touchdowns this season. Combined with skill players in running back Marlon Warren (209 rushing yards) and NSIC-leader Nate Rodgers (18 catches, 288 yards, 4 TDs), the wildcat offense has the potential to be dangerous.
 
The Wildcats, who are unranked, will be looking for back-to-back wins over Augustana for the first time since 2012-2013. Last season, Wayne State finished 6-5, marking the first time the Wildcats have had a winning season since 2012.
 
When These Two Square Up:
 
Saturday's game between Augustana and Wayne State marks the 20th all-time meeting between the two programs, with Augustana holding a 10-9-1 advantage.
 
A season ago, the Wildcat defense slowed down the Vikings, shutting them out for three quarters. Although Ryan Bradberry posted a career-high 144 yards rushing and Augustana outgained Wayne State 436 to 222, the Wildcats won the turnover battle and held on for a 16-13 win at Kirkeby-Over Stadium. In the last four years, the Vikings have won three of the last four meetings while averaging more than 45 points in all three wins.
 
 
Game Notes:
 

• Sophomore quarterback Kyle Saddler leads the nation (DII) in total passing yards with 751 and is second in DII in total yards per game.
   
• The Vikings rank 13th in DII in total offense, averaging 505 yards per game.
   
• Saddler has now started off his 2018 campaign with back-to-back 300 yards/three touchdown games. He's the first Viking to do that since Trey Heid in 2016 (Oct. 8-15th).
   
• Saddler and Wayne State quarterback Aaron Bleil have both scored 42 total points this season, which ranks them 8th individually in NCAA DII.
   
• Junior DB Michael Kloza leads the nation (DII) with three interceptions. The school record is 13, set by Pete Jaros in 1988.
   
• Sophomore WR Nickel Meyers had a career-high 132 receiving yards and one touchdown last week vs. Minnesota State.
   
• Junior linebacker Kyle Theis was lights out, setting a career mark with 17 total tackles and 1 sack in week two.
   
• Running back Rudy Sinflorant is 5th in the NSIC in rushing yards, averaging 90.5 per game.
   
•  The 521 yards of total offense in week two is the most the Vikings have had since Oct. 15, 2016 (576 vs. Minnesota State).
   
• The Vikings are 10-9-1 all-time vs. Wayne State and have won three of the last four.
   
• The Vikings are 32-27 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.