Augustana Uses Ground Attack To Hold Off Wayne State College During NSIC South Division Showdown

WAYNE – Week #3 of the NSIC football schedule closed out Saturday night as rivals converged on Bob Cunningham Field.

From Memorial Stadium on the campus of Wayne State College, WSC entertained Augustana University.

Augustana racked up 284 yards on the ground and held off WSC who had three chances to score late in the game for a final of 27-21. The Vikings improve to 2-1 on the season as Wayne State College fell to 1-2.

Following a scoreless first quarter, it was the Wildcat defense who scored the first points early in the second quarter when junior defensive back Odessa Clark intercepted the ball and ran in from 36-yards out. Following a PAT from junior placekicker Ethan Knudson. WSC led 7-0.

Augustana would then answer with a pair of rushing touchdowns by sophomore running back Rudy Sinflorant of one-yard (8:18) and two-yards (:39) before halftime. Augie converted both PAT’s and held a 14-7 lead at the break.

The Vikings scored on their first possession of the third quarter when sophomore quarterback Kyle Saddler found senior tight end Chet Peerenboom on a 12-yard passing touchdown. But, the PAT was no good as Augie led 20-7.

WSC was forced to punt nine times in the game (42.4 avg), three straight times on three-and-outs in the third quarter.

Augustana went up by three scores when they scored once more on the ground from freshman reserve back Braiden Petersen on a two-yard carry with 13:38 to play in the game. After the PAT, Augie led 27-7.

WSC then started to move the ball and scored their first rushing touchdown of the season when sophomore Marlon Warren ran in from seven-yards out. Wayne State College also saw a highlight reel play when junior quarterback Aaron Bleil found senior wideout Nate Rogers with a one-handed grab in the end zone from 20-yards out. Following a pair of PAT’s, WSC was within six points (27-21).

After forcing a punt, an incompletion stalled a 15-play drive with four seconds left on the clock for WSC on their final play from the eight-yard line.

Scoring by quarter:

1st 2nd Half 3rd 4th Final:

0   14  14    6    7    27 – Augustana

0    7     7    0    14  21 – Wayne State College

Bleil finished 20-44 for 229 yards and one touchdown as Rogers had nine receptions for 100 yards and a score. Junior wide receiver Willie Walton also came down with six catches for 86 yards as Warren carried the rock 13 times for 45 yards and a score.

Defensively, junior linebacker Tyler Thomsen corralled 13 tackles (11 solo), followed by junior safety Ian Ailts with eight tackles (six solo) and junior defensive end Jacob Protzman posted six tackles (three for loss, five solo).

Augustana ran 89 plays for 459 yards of total offense as WSC was held to 71 plays for 296 yards. Both teams were penalized as Augie was called for 10 flags totaling 79 yards while Wayne State College was flagged six times for 59 yards.

Wayne State College will have a short week as they next prepare for a Thursday night game on September 20 at Concordia-St. Paul. Kickoff is slated for 6 p.m. and it will be the final game under the lights for WSC as well as last NSIC South opponent until October 27.

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