SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – No. 5-ranked Augustana football team suffered its first loss of the 2025 season Saturday afternoon, falling 45–21 to No. 16 Minnesota State at Kirkeby-Over Stadium.
The Vikings fall to 9-1 overall and 8-1 in the NSIC with a loss while the Mavericks move to 8-2, 7-2.
Klayton Sattler had five receptions for 50 yards and a touchdown in his first game back in five games.
Sam Scholten added three receptions for 30 yards and a touchdown.
Rich Lucero Jr. went 18 of 31 for 169 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions and
Breylon Blount took 15 carries for 73 yards.
Brock Salm led the defense with 12 tackles and a tackle for loss to go with a QB hurry.
Wyatt Hamersma had seven tackles and a tackle for loss while
Alex Belongia had six tackles and a tackle for loss.
The Vikings struck first midway through the opening quarter. After a defensive stop, Augustana capitalized on field position as
Mack Molander broke through for a 15-yard touchdown run to give AU a 7–0 lead.
Minnesota State responded early in the second quarter with a nine-yard touchdown run by quarterback Mitchell Thompson to even the score. Following a Viking fumble, Sam Backer added a short two-yard rush to push the Mavericks ahead, 14–7.
Augustana answered with a 75-yard drive capped by
Rich Lucero Jr. connecting with
Klayton Sattler for a 17-yard touchdown to tie it at 14–14. The Mavericks regained control before halftime when Thompson added his second rushing score of the day for a 21–14 advantage at the break.
The third quarter belonged entirely to Minnesota State. Thompson recorded his third touchdown of the game on a six-yard keeper before the Maverick defense took over. Jamal Spiyee recovered a fumble and returned it 24 yards for a touchdown, extending the lead to 35–14.
A blocked field goal on Augustana's next drive halted the Vikings' momentum as the Mavericks continued to dominate time of possession.
Minnesota State's Connor Fournier connected on a 35-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter, and Backer added his second rushing touchdown to make it 45–14. The Vikings found the end zone once more late in the game when Lucero Jr. hit
Sam Scholten for a 21-yard touchdown to close the scoring.
The Vikings close out the regular season next weekend on the road, looking to rebound against Wayne State, one win away from sharing an NSIC Championship.
