Skip To Main Content

Upcoming and Recent Events

Augustana University Athletics

Kirkeby-Over Stadium

Vikings Welcome in No. 3 Minnesota State for Home Opener

Saturday’s kickoff marks the 10th season of Football at Kirkeby-Over Stadium.

9/6/2018 5:18:00 PM

By: Elliot Nathan
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Fresh off one of the biggest comebacks in program history to start their 2018 season, the Augustana football team will look to carry the momentum into Kirkeby-Over Stadium for Saturday's home opener vs. No. 3 Minnesota-State. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. in Sioux Falls.
 
Saturday's matchup, which is also the 47th Annual El Riad Shrine game, promises to include highlights on both ends of the field. It squares up two of the leagues best offensive units as Augustana and Mankato stand third and second respectively in NSIC total offense. Led by sophomore quarterback Kyle Saddler, the Vikings put up nearly 500 yards of offense in last Saturday's 48-45 win vs. Upper Iowa. Minnesota State, who is currently ranked 3rd in the AFCA DII Poll, was equally impressive, racking up 518 yards (268 rush / 250 pass) in a balanced 49-13 win over SMSU.
 
Augustana, who is 6-3 all-time in home openers at Kirkeby-Over Stadium, will be looking to knock off a ranked opponent for the first time since Oct. 24 of 2015, when they captured the 'Key To The City' with a 35-28 win over No. 5 Sioux Falls. On the other sideline, Minnesota State hasn't lost an NSIC road game since Oct. 1, 2016, a 34-31 setback at Winona State. With a win on Saturday, the Vikings will move to 2-0 for the first time since 2016. 
 
Last Time Out: Win, 48-45, vs. Upper Iowa...
 
The Vikings opened up their 2018 season with a thriller on the road in Fayette, Iowa. Trailing 24-0 just eight minutes into the game, the Vikings regrouped and scored 28 unanswered points to eventually take a 35-31 halftime lead on Upper Iowa.
 
Both sides traded punches in the second half, but it was the Vikings making some key defensive stops and picking up a few clutch first downs in the 4th quarter to hold onto a 48-45 win. The Vikings moved to 1-0 overall (1-0 NISC South) and improved to 10-2 all-time vs. Upper Iowa.
 
Scouting The Enemy:
 
Minnesota State, 1-0 (1-0 NSIC South), started off their season with a 49-13 win over Southwest Minnesota State in week one. The Mavericks, who never trailed in the game, racked up 268 rushing yards and 518 yards of total offense in the win. According to Minnesota State athletics and communication, the Mavericks now own a 17-0 all-time record against SMSU.
 
Ranked third in the nation in Division II football (AFCA), Minnesota State has built a powerhouse in Mankato. The Mavericks have made NCAA playoff appearances three of the last four years, including a run to the 2014 national title game.
 
The Vikings have not beat Mankato since Oct. 30, 2010 (17-13 in Sioux Falls). They are 0-7 since then vs. the Mavericks
Minnesota State has not lost an NSIC road game in nearly two years, with their last loss being Oct. 1, 2016, at Winona State.
 
When These Two Square Up:
 
Saturday's game between Augustana and Minnesota State marks the 49th all-time meeting, with the Vikings trailing the series 23-25. The Mavericks have won its last seven encounters against Augustana, and the last time the Vikings came away victorious was Oct. 30, 2010, a 17-13 win at K.O. stadium.
 
Last season, the Mavericks rolled to a 42-21 win at Blakeslee Stadium in Mankato, as junior Nate Gunn rushed for 126 yards and two touchdowns and junior Shane Zylstra caught 10 passes for 147 yards and three touchdowns.
 
 
Game Notes:
  • Saturday's home opener marks the 10th season of football at Kirkeby-Over Stadium.
  • Augustana is 6-3 all-time in home openers at K.O.
  • All-time, the Vikings sport a 35-17 (.673) record at Kirkeby-Over stadium and have outscored their opponents 1,691-1,059 at home through nine seasons.
  • The Vikings are 23-25 (.479) against Minnesota State Mankato, and just 2-8 in their last 10 matchups.
  • In the history of Kirkeby-Over Stadium, the Vikings are 1-3 vs. the Mavericks.
  • Minnesota State has not lost an NSIC road game in nearly two years with their last loss being Oct. 1, 2016, at Winona State.
  • The last time Augie knocked off a ranked opponent was Oct. 24 of 2015, when they captured the Key To The City with a 35-28 win over #5 Sioux Falls.
  • Last week...Rudy Sinflorant rushed a career-high 34 times for a career-best 124 yards…the 34 attempts are the most since CJ Ham (30, 11/7/15 at Winona State).
  • True freshman running back Braiden Petersen (Brandon Valley, SD) scored on his first career college carry, a 28-yard run.
  • Sophomore signal-caller Kyle Saddler tossed his second career 300-yard game last week (323, 11/4/17 vs. CSP).
  • Junior DB Michael Kloza set a career-high with two interceptions vs. the Peacocks.
  • The 48 points the Vikings scored vs. Upper Iowa are the most the Vikings have scored since 10/10/16 (44 at Wayne State).
  • The Vikings are 32-25 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.
Print Friendly Version