Augustana State (3-2) vs. Minot State (4-2)
Date/Time/Location: Saturday, 1 p.m., Herb Parker Stadium in Minot, North Dakota.
Radio: KXRB-FM100.1
Streaming: NSIC Network
Last year’s record: AU 11-2. MSU1-10
Series: Augie leads 4-1.
Last time: Auggie won 49-0 last year.
Last week: AU defeated Duluth 28-24. MSU lost to Wayne State 27-21.
Rankings: Vikings are accepting votes
Coach: AU – Jerry Olszewski (12th year, 77-43). MSU – Ian Shields (2nd year, 5-12)
Augustana State quarterback Gunnar Hensley throws a pass during a game against Minnesota-Duluth on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, at Kirkby Over Stadium in Sioux Falls.
Trent Singer / Sioux Falls Live
What you need to know: The Vikings got a big, big win last week, moving them one step closer to defeating the Bulldogs for the first time in 12 games. One of Augie’s two losses came to FCS champion South Dakota State, so find out what kind of record the Vikings need to earn a spot in the Division 2 playoffs. It’s hard to say, but a win against UMD would immediately be the highlight for them. resume.
The Vikings clearly feel something about new quarterback Gunnar Hensley. He’s completed an impressive 76 percent of his passes for 1,179 yards and 12 touchdowns in four games, and if he and his receiver corps have to throw to continue putting up big numbers. There is no doubt about it. It just creates more lanes for a running game that hasn’t yet reached its full potential (the Vikings are averaging a modest 100 rushing yards per game).
The Vikings have 18 sacks and allow just 82 rushing yards per game, allowing the defense to limit opponents to 320 yards per game.
Minot is the epitome of a tricky opponent. Long a doormat for the NSIC, they have found success this year with an old-school ground-and-pound offense that relies on rarely throwing the ball.
The Beavers started 3-0 against a soft schedule and appeared to be brought back to earth with a 40-6 loss at Mankato the following week, but then defeated USF a week later and lost at Nebraska last week. We almost got Wayne State. .
The Beavers had 29 passing attempts and 343 rushing attempts in six games. They average 255 yards on the ground but just 37 through the air. The only touchdown pass of the season was thrown by a running back on a trick play.
Quarterback Carson Crisman ran for 298 yards and six touchdowns, completing 15 of 28 for 200 yards, Evan Lovett ran for 477 yards and three touchdowns, and Sam Buchanan ran for 238 yards and two scores. did.
Minot’s defense was also solid, holding opponents to 19.8 points and 333 yards per game.
Matt Zimmer is a Sioux Falls native and longtime sportswriter. He graduated from Washington High School, where he played football, Legion baseball, and developed a lifelong love of the Minnesota Twins and Vikings. After graduating from St. Cloud State University, he returned to Sioux Falls and began a long career in amateur baseball and sports reporting. Email Matt at mzimmer@siouxfallslive.com.