Vikings and Jackrabbits renew rivalry in non-conference showdown

SIOUX FALLS, SD – The 14th-ranked Augustana football team (1-0 overall, 1-0 NSIC) continues its first road trip with a game in Brookings, SD against the two-time defending FCS National Championship champion South Dakota State Jackrabbits with kickoff scheduled for 6 p.m.

All the action can be seen on GoAugie.com/Live and the GoAugie app, presented by The Original Pancake House. The app can be downloaded from the App Store or Google Play.

About the game

The Vikings will play their second non-conference game in as many seasons after defeating Chadron State on the road 27-3 last season. Before that, Augustana last played a non-conference game when it hosted NSIC opponent Minnesota Duluth in a non-NSIC game to open the 2012 season. Saturday will mark the first time AU has faced a defending national champion at any level in a non-conference regular-season game and the 13th time in program history that the Vikings have faced a defending national champion in the regular season. The 12 previous meetings were against conference opponents, including seven meetings with North Dakota State in NCC games from 1966-1991.

About the Jackrabbits

The Jackrabbits enter the week at 1-1 after defeating No. 11 (FCS) Incarnate Word 45-24 in their home opener. SDSU’s 29-game winning streak was snapped earlier in the season when it lost 44-20 on the road to No. 17 (FBS) Oklahoma State.

The two-time defending FCS national champion is ranked 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, leading an offense that averages 32.5 points per game.

Joining Gronowski in the backfield is Amar Johnson. Johnson is one of the best running backs at the FCS level and has rushed for 185 yards and two touchdowns, including 112 yards against UIW last week. The Jackrabbits’ top target has been Griffin Wilde. Wilde has caught 17 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns, all numbers that put him among the top five FCS weapons.

On defense, Adam Bock leads the charge. The former All-American has recorded 21 tackles, including three for loss. The line has recorded just one sack this year, with Zac Wilson setting the stat line and tying a team high with two QB hurries.

About the Vikings

The journey through 2024 began on a high note when the Augustana football team defeated UMary 35-13 on Thursday night in Bismarck, ND. In the first extended action of his career, Gunnar Hensley threw for 219 yards on 14 of 18 passes, two touchdowns and one rushing loss, while the defense recorded six sacks and limited the Marauders to just two rushing yards on 26 attempts in the win.

Augustana managed 336 yards of offense and held the Marauders to 242. The Vikings threw for 236 yards and ran for 100 yards, UMary threw for 240 yards. Eight different Vikings caught a pass, led by six pass catches by Isaiah Huber. In his first game with Augustana MaxGrand found the end zone twice, once on the ground and once on a long catch and run.

Three Vikings defensive linemen were responsible for the six sacks. Michael Taylor, Will Davis, Christian Connelly everyone collected a pair. Kade Lynott led the team with six tackles and Alex Belongia had five solo tackles. Six different Vikings also recorded a pass breakup.

One last thing

Augustana head coach Jerry Olszewski is the only coach to lead Augustana to four NCAA playoff appearances. He has 75 career wins at Augustana, four shy of the all-time record held by Jim Heinitz.

—GoAugie.com–