BURNSVILLE, Minn. – With three first place votes, the 2023 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Champion Augustana football team was tabbed to finish second for the 2024 NSIC season, announced by the conference office on Tuesday. In the same release, wide receiver Jack Fisher and defensive back Peyton Buckley were named as the Vikings' Players to Watch.
 
"I am excited to see continued growth in our team and reach the standard our program has established," Augustana head coach Jerry Olszewski said. "With eight defensive starters returning, we will lean on that group to be one of the best in the nation while replacing eight offensive starters that were lost to graduation. We believe we have recruited very well in recent years and look forward to those players stepping into significant roles as we strive to compete against a very talented conference with much parity in 2024. We return many key players on special teams units that led the conference but will need to fill impact losses from 2023 in Returner Devon Jones (D2 Special Teams POY), and punter Avery Book (2nd Team All-American)."
 
Fisher, a senior from Rochester, Minnesota, has racked up 1,338 yards and 12 touchdowns over his three seasons and 36 games. He is a two-time All-NSIC honoree and two-time NSIC Champion who has averaged 15.6 yards per catch over his three-year career. 
 
"Jack has been a three-year starter and all-conference selection," Olszewski said. "He fought through injury last season and continued to be an impact player in the NSIC. We look forward to an impactful senior year from Jack as he leads our young offense."
 
Buckley, a senior from Rice Lake, Wisconsin, returns following an All-American season that saw him lead Augustana with 78 tackles a season ago. He ade 57 solo tackles while intercepting three passes and breaking up nine passes. Over 36 games, Buckley has totaled 197 tackles, 11 interceptions and 33 passes defended. 
 
"Peyton was NSIC Newcomer of the Year in 2021, a three-time all-conference selection, as well as NCAA All-American in 2023. " Olszewski added. "Peyton has been one of the premier defensive players in the NSIC since he arrived and we are expecting that he will lead our experienced defense this year to be one of the best in the nation. He is a leader and will be a two-time captain of our football team."
 
The 102nd season of Augustana football kicks off on Thursday, Sept. 5 as the Vikings travel UMary. Season ticket packages begin at just $69 and can be purchased by clicking here or by going to GoAugie.com/Tickets.
 
Augustana will host five home games in 2024 including its home opener on Sept. 21 and Senior Day taking place on Nov. 9.
 
Full NSIC Coaches' Poll
1. Minnesota Duluth (8), 134
2. Augustana (3), 124
3. Minnesota State (1), 120
4. Wayne State, 116
5. Bemidji State (1), 112
6. MSU Moorhead, 88
7. Winona State, 75
8. Sioux Falls, 62
9. Northern State, 57
10. Concordia-St. Paul, 40
11. Southwest Minnesota State, 34
12. Minot State, 31
13. UMary, 21