CHICAGO, Ill. -- The Augustana Vikings football team earned a 35-12 victory over North Park on Saturday, Oct. 24, at the Holmgren Athletic Complex.
Augustana wasted little time getting on the scoreboard, finding the end zone three times in the opening quarter. Quarterback Jimmy Makuh connected with Tyreke Fortney for a 31-yard touchdown pass to cap the Vikings' opening scoring drive. After the defense forced a quick stop, Makuh found Sean Schlanser for a 13-yard touchdown just 1:49 later, extending the lead to 14-0.
The Vikings continued to build momentum late in the first quarter, putting together an 11-play, 99-yard drive that ended with a 12-yard touchdown pass from Makuh to Ethan Vrabec. Augustana carried a commanding 21-0 advantage into the second quarter.
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Augie's offense remained productive in the second quarter, putting together another extended scoring drive. Augustana marched 81 yards on eight plays, with Makuh connecting with Schlanser for a nine-yard touchdown pass with 1:21 remaining before halftime. The score gave the Vikings a 28-0 lead heading into the break.
North Park found the end zone late in the third quarter on a 35-yard rushing touchdown, but Augie responded with a lengthy drive in the fourth. The Vikings covered 95 yards on 15 plays, consuming more than seven minutes of game time before Makuh and Schlanser connected for their third touchdown of the afternoon, this time from 12 yards out, to push the lead to 35-6.
The hosts added a passing touchdown later in the fourth quarter, but Augustana maintained control to close out the 35-12 victory.
Makuh led the Vikings' offensive effort, completing 22 of 34 passes for 260 yards and five touchdowns without an interception. Schlanser hauled in eight receptions for 95 yards and three touchdowns, while Fortney recorded seven catches for 61 yards and a touchdown. Vrabec added two receptions for 50 yards and a score.
On the ground, senior running back Ben Ludlum rushed for 103 yards on 22 carries, while Keegan Otte added 71 yards on 14 attempts. Augustana finished with 459 yards of total offense, including 199 rushing yards and 260 passing yards, while converting three of five fourth-down attempts.
Defensively, the Vikings limited North Park to 325 total yards and forced two interceptions. Kaden McShaw recorded both interceptions, totaling 44 return yards, as Augustana held the hosts scoreless through the first half and kept them out of the end zone until the final two minutes of the third quarter.
With the win, Augie improves to 4-3 on the season and 3-2 in conference play. The Vikings will be back in action on Oct. 31 to host the No. 1 seed Wheaton.
