SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The No. 14-ranked Augustana football team (1-0 overall, 1-0 NSIC) continues its opening road stretch with a matchup in Brookings, S.D., against the two-time defending FCS National Champion South Dakota State Jackrabbits. Kickoff is slated for 6 p.m.
 
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About the Game
The Vikings will play their second nonconference regular season game in as many seasons after downing Chadron State 27-3 on the road last season. Prior to that, Augustana last played a nonconference game when it hosted NSIC foe Minnesota Duluth in a non-NSIC game to open the 2012 season. Saturday will be the first time that AU takes on a defending national champion at any level in a nonconference regular season game and the 13th time in program history that the Vikings will take on a defending national champion in the regular season. The 12 previous instances occurred against conference opponents, including seven matchups with North Dakota State in NCC play from 1966-1991. 

About the Jackrabbits

The Jackrabbits enter the week 1-1 after knocking off No. 11 (FCS) Incarnate Word 45-24 in their home opener. SDSU had their 29-game win streak snapped to open the season, falling 44-20 to No. 17 (FBS) Oklahoma State on the road. 

The back-to-back defending FCS national champion is No. 1 in both the AFCA Coaches Poll and the Stats Perform FCS Top 25. Reigning Walter Payton Award winner Mark Gronowski has thrown for 549 yards and six touchdowns to lead an offense that averages 32.5 points per game. 

Joining Gronowski in the backfield is Amar Johnson. One of the top running backs at the FCS level, Johnson has run for 185 yards and a pair of touchdowns including a 112 yard day against UIW last week. The top target for the Jackrabbits has been Griffin Wilde. Wilde has caught 17 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns, all numbers that place in the top five among FCS weapons. 

Defensively, Adam Bock leads the charge. The former All-American has recorded 21 tackles, including three for loss. The line has only recorded a single sack on the year, with Zac Wilson recording the stat and tying for a team-high with two QB hurries. 

About the Vikings

The voyage through 2024 began on a high note as the Augustana football team knocked off UMary 35-13 on Thursday night in Bismarck, N.D. In the first extended action of his career, Gunnar Hensley threw for 219 yards on 14 of 18 passing, tossing a pair of touchdowns and rushing for one while the defense recorded six sacks and held the Marauders to just two yards rushing on 26 carries in the victory. 
 
Augustana racked up 336 yards of offense while holding the Marauders to 242. The Vikings threw for 236 yards while rushing for 100 and UMary threw for 240. Eight different Vikings caught a pass, led by six receptions from Isaiah Huber. In his first game with Augustana, Max Grand found the end zone twice, once on the ground and once on a long catch and run. 

Three Viking defensive linemen accounted for the six sacks as Myles Taylor, Will Davis, Christian Connelly each collected a pair. Kade Lynott led the team with six tackles and Alex Belongia had five solo tackles. Six different Vikings recorded a pass breakup as well. 

One Last Thing

Augustana head coach Jerry Olszewski is the only coach to lead Augustana to four NCAA Playoff appearances. He sits at 75 career wins at Augustana, four off the all-time mark held by Jim Heinitz.

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