BURNSVILLE, Minn. – The defending NSIC Champions are the 2022 preseason favorites. The Augustana football team has been chosen by the NSIC football coaches to win the NSIC for the second-straight year while also winning the NSIC South Division.
 
In the same preseason release from the NSIC, defensive back Eli Weber was named the NSIC South Division Preseason Player of the Year.
 
"We have many players back that played a big part in a successful 2021 season," Augustana head coach Jerry Olszewski said. "I believe we have great depth at key positions along with playing experience that will help replace proven players lost to graduation.
 
"I feel we have a very balanced team that should be successful in all three phases with critical returners and key younger talent that is ready to step up in the opportunity. Lastly, I like the leadership and passion of this group to compete and meet very-high expectations."
 
The 100^th season for Augustana football has the Vikings defending the 2021 NSIC Championship after posting a 9-2 league mark last season. Augustana advanced to the NCAA Division II Playoffs for the second-straight season and third time under Olszewski.
 
Weber, a senior on the 2022 team, earns the preseason honor after earning First Team All-NSIC South Division accolades in 2021 and 2019. A veteran of 35 games for AU, Weber has intercepted eight passes and totaled 17 pass breakups over his career. In addition, he has totaled 171 tackles including back-to-back seasons of 45 solo tackles.
 
The Augustana defense was the nation's best in 2021 at stopping the run. The Vikings allowed just 41.8 rushing yards per game. The scoring defense was second-best in the NSIC, giving up just 21.4 points per game. The defense is led by several standouts including First Team All-NSIC performers Grayson Diepenbrock, T.J. Liggett, reigning NSIC Defensive Newcomer of the Year Peyton Buckley, and this year's Preseason Defensive Player of the Year, Weber.
 
Diepenbrock was a stalwart on the defensive line and led AU with six quarterback sacks and 13 tackles for loss last season. Liggett was the team leader with 78 tackles. Weber totaled 63 tackles last season (45 solo). Buckley earned the Newcomer of the Year honor after ranking second in the NSIC with five interceptions, a mark that placed him 21^st in the nation.
 
On the other side of the ball, the line protected an offense that led the NSIC and ranked eighth in the nation with 467.1 yards per game. Blake Larson and Trevor Burkhart each return as starters on the offensive line after earning First Team South Division All-NSIC accolades.
 
Jarod Epperson, a fellow First Team South Division All-NSIC honoree, rushed for 1,051 yards last season. That marked the sixth-most in a single season in program history. Second Team All-NSIC South division honoree Logan Uttecht leads the returning wide receivers with his 55 receptions for 709 yards. Devon Jones is also back after totaling nine receiving touchdowns and 559 total yards.
 
Augustana begins its 100^th season of football on Thursday, Sept. 1 at Concordia-St. Paul. The home debut for 2022 is slated for Saturday, Sept. 10 against Bemidji State. Augustana is riding an 11-game regular season home winning streak. Season ticket packages begin at just $69 and can be purchased by clicking here or by going to GoAugie.com/Tickets.