October 26th, 2024 4:18pm
MANKATO, Minn. - Jerry Olszewski became the winningest coach in Augustana history where his coaching career began as the No. 25 Augustana Vikings routed No. 13 Minnesota State 34-16 on Saturday afternoon at Blakeslee Stadium.
Olszewski, who spent a pair of stints with the Mavericks from 1993-1997 (Linebackers, Quarterbacks, Running Backs) and 1999-02 (Assistant Head Coach), moved to 80-43 as the head coach of the Vikings to pass Jim Heinitz on the program's all-time wins list.
With the win, Augustana moves into sole possession of first place in the NSIC at 6-2 overall and 6-1 in conference action. The loss moves MSU to 6-2 overall and 5-2 in the NSIC.
The Vikings were steady offensively, passing for 263 yards and running for 135. Gunnar Hensley was solid, going 24 of 34 for 263 yards and a pair of touchdowns while Jarod Epperson carried the load on the ground, taking 15 carries for 72 yards and two touchdowns of his own. Eight different receivers caught passes for AU, led by 108 yards on six catches for Jack Fisher.
A stifling defensive effort held down the fort as the Mavericks were held to 21 rushing yards on 23 attempts, including -9 yards on 12 second half carries. Kade Lynott was the leader of the No Name Defense, recording nine tackles, seven solo, a tackle for loss, a pass breakup and an interception. Haden Wallace followed with nine tackles, seven solo, a tackle for loss and two pass breakups.
The Vikings made a strong impression to open the game as a Gradee Sherman deflection on third down forced an MSU three and out. The offense followed with a statement drive, marching down the field for a 10-play, 83-yard touchdown drive that saw a pair of third down conversions and was capped by a 15-yard touchdown pass from Hensley to Isaiah Huber to give AU a 7-0 lead with 9:35 to play in the first quarter.
A counter attempt by the Mavericks was foiled when a fumble on fourth and one kept them behind the sticks and set the Vikings up on their own 46. The AU offense ran 11 more plays, getting down inside the MSU 10 but would miss a field goal to keep the game at 7-0 with less than two minutes remaining in the first quarter.
Each team would punt on their next drive before a 7-play, 70-yard strike in 3:20 of game time put the Mavericks on the board, but a failed two-point play kept AU in front 7-6 with 7:26 left in the first half. The Vikings marched down to the MSU six-yard line but an interception ended the drive and gave the Mavericks a chance to score before halftime. MSU followed with 40 yards in eight plays to kick a field goal and take a 9-7 lead to the break.