Vikings Force Six Turnovers to Sink Peacocks

Augustana 35 - Upper Iowa 6

Box Score
Records

Upper Iowa (4-3, 1-2 NSIC South) || Augustana College (3-4, 1-2 NSIC South)

Recap

The Vikings of Augustana College broke a three-game skid in their Homecoming game Saturday in Sioux Falls, S.D. The Vikings forced six Upper Iowa turnovers and also scored on special teams to claim a 35-6 victory over the Peacocks. Augie converted three of the turnovers into touchdowns including the only score of the first half.

Upper Iowa fumbled on each of their first two possessions despite gaining 88 yards and running 18 plays. Both fumbles occured inside the Augie 35-yard line. The Peacock defense met the challenge head on and forced a pair of punts and continued their strong play for the remainder of the first half.

Augie's offense only managed 62 yards on 23 plays in the half, but Augie still took a 7-0 lead into the break after taking advantage of a punt return miscue. Midway through the second quarter, the Vikings kicked their fourth straight punt. As the ball landed near the ten-yard line, it was determined that the ball bounced off UIU's returner and when the pile in the endzone cleared a Viking held the ball for a touchdown.

After another punt by Augie, UIU used a 12-play, 65-yard drive to move into field goal range. The Peacocks got the ball down to the AC 2-yard line with 1:44 to play in the second quarter, but a fumble on the next play pushed the ball back to the eleven and set up a fourth down. UIU's field goal attempt from 28 yards missed wide right and the visitors headed to the break scoreless despite controlling the first half of play..

After AC scored a touchdown in the third quarter, the Peacocks cut the gap to 14-6 following an 11-yard touchdown pass from Cole Jaeschke to Keaton Hosch. The extra point was missed. The scoring drive took only 1:21 off the clock on just 5 plays and covered 45 yards after the defense forced another three and out.

The score came with 8:19 on the clock in the third. The defenses for each club continued to dominate the action as neither team earned a first down for the rest of the quarter until the final play. Jaeschke hit Lucas Hefty for a 16-yard pass to move the chains on the last play of the quarter.

The Peacock offense punted and was intercepted three times each on their final six possessions. In the fourth quarter, the Augustana offense scored touchdowns on three straight possessions in the fourth quarter. Two of the Viking scores came off of interceptions.

For the game, the Viking defense held UIU to just 281 yards of total offense and held the Peacocks to 189 yards through the air.

UIU Standouts

Chris Smith ran for 82 yards with two fumbles, while Jaeschke threw for 189 yards on 25-38 throwing with 1 touchdown and 3 interceptions. Hefty and Derek Giesking each caught seven passes for 47 and 72 yards, respectively.

Ethan Douglas led the UIU defense, who allowed only 299 yards of offense, with 9 tackles including one for loss. Keaton Martin recorded 7 tackles with two for loss, while Tom Nesvik and Alex Wahl each posted five stops. Nesvik had 2.5 tackles for loss and Wahl added .5 for loss. Tyler Fisher had 4 tackles including 1.5 sacks. In total, the Peacocks racked up 14 tackles for loss (50 yards) and 3 sacks (17 yards).

Next Up

The Peacocks will return home to Harms-Eischeid Stadium next Saturday for a game under the lights against the Mustangs of Southwest Minnesota State University. Upper Iowa will be celebrating Bill Prochaska Night on October 26.

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