FAYETTE, Iowa – It was a historic start to the 2018 football season for Augustana as the Vikings used one of the biggest comebacks in school history to stun Upper Iowa with a 48-45 win. Augustana allowed the first four scores of the game, and trailed 24-0 with less than six minutes into the contest. However, led by a dominant offense line and a dynamic running back duo, the Vikings scored the next 28 points to take a 28-24 lead early in the second quarter. Both sides traded punches over the next two quarters, but ultimately it was the Viking's defense that came up with key fourth quarter stops to help Augustana secure a 48-45 win on opening night.  

Sophomore signal-caller Kyle Saddler had a career night, throwing for 300 yards and 3 touchdowns, finding 10 different receivers who all made clutch catches. On the ground, Rudolh Sinflorant (124 yards) and freshman Braiden Peterson (66 yards) totaled 190 rushing yards and three total touchdowns. Defensively, Cody Kujawa was all over the field, recording a team-high eight tackles and one sack. Michael Kloza showed up on opening night too, picking off two passes for 50 return yards. After the game, head coach Jerry Olszewski was pleased with the win and proud of the comeback, "I'm happy to get the win. Especially the way we started, to battle back and walk out of here with a win is great," Olszewski said. The win moves the Vikings to 1-0 (1-0 NSIC) and gives them their 11th win in the last 13 seasons on opening night. Upper Iowa falls to 0-1 (0-1 NSIC) on the year.

Upper Iowa started the scoring just two minutes into game, connecting on a 29 yard field goal. After a three-and-out on Augustana's first possession, the Peacock's offense went right back to work. Quarterback Brett Lammers found DJ Emsweller for a 30 yard touchdown in the back on the end zone, and Upper Iowa took a 10-0 lead. A Peacock fumble recovery and subsequent touchdown from Lammers saw Upper Iowa lead 24-0 just 10 minutes into the game.

However, the Vikings quickly regrouped, regathered and started to find a rhythm. On his first career collegiate carry, Brandon Valley native Braiden Peterson took a fly-sweep across the hash marks and 28 yards to the house. The Vikings still trailed 24-7, but the momentum slowly started to shift to the Augustana sideline. Rushing the rock 34 times for 124 yards, Rudy Sinflorant was a true workhorse, and his 12-yard score late in the 1st quarter made it a 24-14 game after one quarter.

In the second quarter, it was Saddler that put the team on his back. He found senior captain Chet Peerenboom on a corner fade for a 14 yard touchdown, and then with just one minute left in the 1st half, Saddler went back to Sinflorant, hitting him for a 23 pass for six more. By halftime, the Vikings had racked up five total touchdowns, and had a 35-31 lead on Upper Iowa.

Augustana received the ball to start the second half, and although they drove inside the 1-yard line, ultimately they had to settle for a 19 yard field goal from Luis Guarita. The Brazilian was lights out in his first college game, knocking down all six of his extra points and making two fields. The Peacocks received the ball and quickly answered as Lammers hit Steve Alexander on a 64 yard touchdown to tie the game up at 38-38 with 9:08 left in the third quarter.

As the sun set at Harms-Eischeid stadium, the Vikings entered the 4th quarter with a 41-38 lead. The Vikings had nearly completed the comeback, but needed a few more drives to secure the win. The Augie offense stayed aggressive as Saddler went back to the air, hitting North Dakota State transfer Sean Engel for a couple of big first-downs. Engel, a 6-6 sophomore finished with five grabs for 77 yards to lead the receiving group. However, it would be another pair of wideouts that would help secure the win for the Vikings. Sioux Falls native Nickel Meyers ran a great route and caught a 15 yards touchdown pass with just 9:58 to play, giving the Vikings a 48-38 lead. Then, after an Upper Iowa score, the Vikings needed one more first down to secure the win. On third-and-four from the Augustana 43-yard line, Saddler found Jake Welsheimer over the middle for a 12-yard gain and 1st down. The Vikings went into victory formation, locking up a season-opening win 48-45 over Upper Iowa. "It's never easy to come on the road in the NSIC and get a win, Olszewski said, I'm proud of our team for competing and never giving up tonight." Overall, the Vikings totaled 489 yards of offense (189 rushing / 300 passing), compared to just 394 for Upper Iowa. Augustana was also impressive on kick returns, racking up 248 yards for a 31 yard average. Time of possession was also key for Augustana, holding on to the ball for more than 39 minutes of action.

The Vikings will open the home portion of their schedule this Saturday, as they take on #3 Minnesota-State Mankato. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at Kirkeby-Over stadium, and fans interested in more information on tickets can click here.

Game Notes:

• Sophomore running back Ryan Bradberry left the game due to an undisclosed injury in the second quarter. He is listed as day-to-day.
• True freshman running back Braiden Peterson (Brandon Valley, SD) scored on his first career college carry, a 28-yard run.
• Rudy Sinflorant rushed 34 times for 124 yards…the 34 attempts are the most since CJ Ham
• (30, 11/7/15 at Winona State).
• The 48 points are the most the Vikings have scored since 10/8/16 (44 at Wayne State).
• The Vikings are now 10-2 all-time against Upper Iowa.
• Augustana now owns a 51-42-4 overall record in Week 1 games since 1920.
• The last time Augustana Football lost a season opener on the road was August 27, 2005. A 30-33 loss vs. Concordia-St. Paul.
• Augustana has scored at least 20 points in nine-of-ten season-opening games.
• The Vikings have won five-of-six season-opening games under head coach Jerry Olszewski, and 11 of their last 13 season-openers overall.