Box Score

BLOOMINGTON, Ill.— An 11-yard first-quarter touchdown run by junior quarterback Sam Frasco (Prospect HS, Mt. Prospect, Ill.) was all the scoring Augustana would need in its 7-2 win over Illinois Wesleyan at Tucci Stadium Saturday. A week after nearly knocking off 18th-ranked Wheaton in their own Homecoming game, the Vikings spoiled the Titans Homecoming, using another excellent defensive performance to improve to 2-4 overall and 1-2 in the CCIW. Illinois Wesleyan is now 3-3 on the season and 1-2 in the conference.
 
Both defenses controlled things early on, with the game's first four possessions yielding no first downs. However, with 8:19 remaining in the first quarter, Augustana took over at its own 12-yard line following a Titan punt. On the team's first set of downs, senior running back Benjamin Hodges (St. Charles North HS, Elburn, Ill.) picked up 20 yards on second-and-ten. Frasco carried twice for 14 yards and another first down and then converted a third-and-nine with a 17-yard scramble into IWU territory. A personal foul added 15 more yards, giving the Vikings a first-and-10 at the Titan 21. Five plays later, facing third-and-ten, Frasco darted into the end zone from 11 yards out for the game's only touchdown. Conner Murray's (Conifer HS, Morrison, Colo.) point after put the visitors up 7-0 with 2:01 left in the quarter.
 
After the defense forced another Illinois Wesleyan punt on the next possession, Frasco used some fancy footwork to get the Vikings out from the shadow of their own goalpost. On third-and-nine from his own four, Frasco rolled right and tip-toed the sideline before reversing field and scampering for a 36-yard gain. Senior Antonio Owens (Naperville North HS, Chicago, Ill.) took an option pitch from Frasco and gained 22 more yards on the next play, but the drive eventually stalled, resulting in a Murray punt.
 
The Titans then went on a 53-yard, 11-play march, but the Augustana defense came up big, stopping a Donavan Laible quarterback sneak on fourth-and-one at the 27-yard line. The score remained 7-0 at the half.
 
On the first possession of the second half, Laible was again stuffed on fourth-and-one, this time at the Viking 22.
 
Early in the fourth quarter, Augustana had an opportunity for a little insurance, but Murray's 38-yard field goal attempt was blocked by Will James to keep the Titans within one score. Senior Benjamin Fornek (Batavia HS, Batavia, Ill.) intercepted Laible on the very next play to put the Vikings back in business, but that drive also stalled.
 
With 6:28 remaining IWU punter Matt Kussman pinned Augustana at its own one-yard line. On the Vikings' first play from scrimmage, freshman running back Austin Chausse (Nokomis HS, Nokomis, Ill.) was brought down in the end zone by Sean Garvey for a safety which cut the margin to 7-2. The Titans took the ensuing free kick and drove to the Augustana 33 before sophomore linebacker Erik Johnson (Warren HS, Gurnee, Ill.) came up with a huge interception to thwart the march.
 
After forcing a three-and-out, IWU had one last opportunity. Laible led the Titans on a drive from their own 11 to the Viking 23 in less than two minutes, but his fourth down pass to Adam Muellers fell incomplete, allowing Augustana to run out the clock.
 
Frasco finished with 97 yards on 22 carries via the ground and completed six of 10 pass attempts for 39 yards. Hodges added 41 yards on six carries. The Viking ground attack produced 196 yards on the day. Senior Kyle Frake (Central HS, Clifton, Ill.) was the team's leading receiver with three catches for 28 yards.
 
Sophomore linebacker Jack Asquini (Buffalo Grove HS, Arlington Heights, Ill.) led a stout effort by the defense, with seven solo tackles and nine total. Augustana limited Illinois Wesleyan to 316 yards of total offense and just 111 on 34 rushing attempts. Laible completed 18 of 35 attempts for 205 yards with two interceptions. Mistakes played a big role, as the Vikings had just three penalties and no turnovers, while the Titans were whistled for 11 penalties for 95 yards and turned it over twice.
 
Coach Rob Cushman's club will try and continue its winning ways as it travels to Kenosha, Wisconsin on Saturday, October 25 to face the Carthage Red Men. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.