SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The two-time reigning NSIC Champion and No. 20-ranked Augustana football team opens the NSIC schedule on Saturday afternoon, hosting new DII foe Jamestown. Kickoff from Kirkeby-Over Stadium is slated for 1 p.m.
 
Complete action can be followed on GoAugie.com/Live and the GoAugie app, presented by The Original Pancake House. The app can be downloaded in the app store or Google Play.

Scouting the Enemy
The Jimmies will be welcomed to the NSIC and DII on Saturday following a 3-7 season in the NSAA last season. Wide receiver Erastus Antsino returns after 16 catches and 246 yards last season in nine games, as does veteran DB Hershell Jefferson.

UJ was picked to finish 14 in the NSIC Preseason Poll seventh in the North Division. Nick Martinez is projected to start under center. The junior played in five games last season, completing 30 of 52 passes for 242 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions.

Weekend Rewind
Gunnar Hensley connected with Cody Oswald in the end zone with 10 seconds remaining to lift the Augustana Vikings past the MoWest Griffons 30-26 on Saturday afternoon at Kirkeby-Over Stadium.

Hensley spun it all over the yard, finishing with 430 yards and three touchdowns on 31 of 51 passing. The yardage is good for seventh in program history and is the first 400-yard passing game since Kyle Saddler in 2021. He found Isaiah Huber 14 times on 17 targets for 207 yards and a touchdown

Huber and Hensley's Heroics
NSIC Offensive Player of the Week Gunnar Hensley made his mark to open his junior campaign. The captain threw for 430 yards, the highest single-game total in DII this season and second-highest toal across all college football, and three touchdowns in the comeback victory over Missouri Western. His 31 completions was the fourth most in DII while his 441 yards of total offense alo ranks first.

His top target was Isaiah Huber, whose 14 receptions was the third most in the country and second most in DII while his 207 receiving yards was the highest DII total and second highest NCAA total.  The senior's 251 all-purpose yards in DII and his 17 total targets were a career-high.

This (Game)Day in History
Augustana has played on September 6 six previous times, going 2-3-1 overall and  0-1-1 at home. It will be the first home game on September 6 since a 22-22 tie against Missouri Western in 1980.

The last game on that date came in 2014 when Trey Heid threw for 288 yards and three touchdowns while CJ Ham added 146 yards and two touchdowns on the ground in a 54-0 win at Minnesota Crookston