The Augustana Vikings defeated the Illinois Wesleyan Titans this weekend with a final score of 24-21. The team drastically changed the game after an intense second half, catching up to the Titan’s initial 10 point lead. 

A lack of execution by Augustana’s offensive unit led to a scoreless first half for them.

The Titan’s connected on an early 41-yard field goal attempt, putting them at a score of 3-0 early in the first quarter. The game then reached a slow progression with neither team scoring until the second quarter. The Titan’s were then able to get a touchdown right before the end of the second quarter using a 10-play drive, putting the Titans at a score of 10-0 by the end of the first-half. 

However, the Vikings were able to get back on track in the second half as they were able to catch up to the Titan’s lead.

In the third quarter, the Vikings were able to successfully connect a 26-yard field goal from Sidney Maroon. This placed the Vikings at a score of 9-10. The Titan’s were then able to gain another 3 points after a 10-play possession, putting the score at 9-13. Though the Vikings were able to get one more point after a 39-yard touchdown pass by Cole Bhardwaj and Craig Shelton. By the end of the third quarter, the score was 13-10, with the Titan’s still having a 3-point advantage over the Viking’s.

During the fourth-quarter things heated up as both teams were ready to fight for the win. 

Early in the fourth-quarter Bhwardwaj and Shelton complete a 28-yard touchdown pass, putting the Vikings at a score of 17-13, finally gaining a lead over the Titans. The Viking’s then conducted a 10-play possession resulting in a rushing 7-yard touchdown by Tyler Rivelli, giving the Viking’s an 11-point lead over the Titan’s at 24-13.

With only a few minutes left in the game, the Titan’s fought hard to try and take down the Vikings. The Titan’s made their way down to the end zone and scored with only 37 seconds left in the game, making the score 24-21, with the Viking’s still having a 3-point advantage.

The Viking’s were victorious at the end of the game with a score of 24-21, escaping Illinois Wesleyan’s final attempts to score.

The victory has now improved the Vikings to 5-3 on the season and 4-3 in conference matchups. Augustana is currently 3rd place in the CCIW standings tied with Carroll and Wesleyan. Augustana will hold their senior day as they host the Carthage College Firebirds this Saturday, November 5 in Lindberg Stadium. The team will face their biggest challenge of the season on November 12 for their last regular season game of the season as they will face the number one seed in the CCIW, the North Central College Cardinals.