ROCK ISLAND, Ill. – On a day when howling northwesterly winds neutralized the passing games of both teams, Wheaton shut down the CCIW's top rushing offense and produced enough of a ground game itself to defeat Augustana 20-3 Saturday at Lindberg Stadium. The Vikings dropped to 3-4 on the season and 2-4 in the CCIW, while the

Thunder, ranked 23rd in the nation, improved to 5-2 overall and 4-2 in the league.
 
In a first half dominated by the defenses, Augustana had two excellent scoring opportunities, but came away empty.
 
On Wheaton's second possession, Matt Albers (Rochelle HS, Rochelle, Ill.) broke through to block a Zach Feddeler punt which would have given the Vikings possession at the Thunder 10-yard line. However, an offside call with a sideline interference infraction tacked on not only nullified the blocked kick, but gave the visitors a first down.
 
Late in the first quarter, Coach Steve Bell called a timeout, forcing Wheaton to punt into the wind. The tactic paid off, as Feddeler's boot went just seven yards, with Augustana taking over at the Wheaton 15. However, after two plays from scrimmage gained nothing, the quarter ended and it was the hosts heading into the wind. Eventually the Vikings passed on what would have been a 26-yard field goal attempt and Zachary Fuller's (St. Patrick HS, Schiller Park, Ill.) throw on fourth-and-four from the Thunder nine fell incomplete.
 
A 23-yard Philip Nichols punt return set up the only touchdown of the first half. Wheaton took over at the Augustana 33 and Jacob Cretin raced 29 yards to the Viking four on the first play from scrimmage. Three rushes netted just three yards, but on fourth-and-goal from the one, wildcat quarterback Spencer Peterson pushed the pile into the end zone. Griffin Bowes' point after made it 7-0 with 5:57 left in the half and the score remained that way as the teams went to intermission.
 
With the wind at its back, Augustana scored its only points on its second possession of the third quarter. Aided by a Thunder face masking penalty and a Fuller-to-Patrick Byrne (St. Patrick HS, Chicago, Ill.) completion for 18 yards—equaling the team's longest play of the day—the Vikings drove to the Wheaton 18 before the march stalled. Ryan Ganson's (Geneseo HS, Geneseo, Ill.) 35-yard field goal cut the deficit to 7-3 with 7:11 left in the third.
 
The visitors got their ground game in gear on their next possession, rushing seven times for 72 yards on a 75-yard touchdown drive. Cretin did the honors from five yards out to put the Thunder up 13-3 with 2:54 left in the third quarter. Bowes' point after try was pushed wide left by the wind.
 
Wheaton added its final touchdown with 4:11 left to play. The Thunder drove 45 yards in 10 plays, with Noah Frazier carrying around left end for a six-yard touchdown. Bowes added the PAT to account for the final.
 
The guests limited the CCIW's leading rushing offense to just 77 yards on 30 carries. Ryan Pitra (Geneseo HS, Geneseo, Ill.) carried 17 times for 51 yards. The Augustana passing game didn't fare much better. Fuller was just eight of 18 for 50 yards. Senior Ryan Hennessy (Oswego HS, Oswego, Ill.) was the leading Viking receiver with three catches for 18 yards.
 
Luke Sawicki (Neuqua Valley HS, Naperville, Ill.) led a solid effort by the Augustana defense. The junior linebacker recorded 13 solo and 17 total tackles—including two for loss—and a pass breakup on the day. In addition, sophomore corner Zach Stewart (Crown Point HS, Crown Point, Ind.) broke up three passes and junior corner Luke Phelan (Joliet Catholic HS, Shorewood, Ill.) had an interception.
 
Cretin rushed 27 times for 170 yards, nearly 60 percent of Wheaton's total offense (297) for the day. Quarterback Curtis McWilliams completed just seven of 20 pass for 80 yards.
 
Bell's crew is back at Lindberg Stadium on Saturday, October 27. Washington University visits, with kickoff scheduled for 1:00 p.m.