ROCK ISLAND, Ill. -- The Augustana Vikings football team will host the Millikin Big Blue on Saturday in their home and CCIW openers from inside Lindberg Stadium. 

The two teams met a season ago in a year in which both teams saw abbreviated 2020 schedules due to COVID-19. Millikin defeated Augustana 40-34 in Rock Island in a four-overtime thriller in a game where they combined for 876 yards of total offense. Since 2013, the series between the two is tied at four wins apiece, with the Vikings' most recent win coming two seasons ago by a score of 40-14, also at home. The victory broke a three-game losing streak against Millikin, in which two of those losses came by just one point. The 26-point triumph for the Vikings in 2018 was largest margin of victory for either team since the 2015 season. Augustana is averaging just under 40 points per contest in their last seven games against the Big Blue.

Millikin enters Saturday with an 0-1 record on the young season after dropping their first game of the year on the road against Greenville by a score of 37-33. The Big Blue held a 27-21 halftime lead against the Panthers, but were outscored 16-6 in the final frame. The Panthers scored a touchdown with 29 seconds remaining in the game to seal the home victory. Millikin out-gained Greenville 430-395 in the contest and had a fairly balanced attack on offense with 172 rushing yards and 258 yards through the air. Quarterback Cal Pohrte finished the day 18-36 with three touchdowns and two interceptions. Colton Lockwood hauled in seven catches for 161 yards and two scores.

Augustana heads into the conference opener 1-0 on the year following a season-opening victory over Rhodes on September 4th. The Vikings dominated most statistical categories in that one, including a 358-229 margin in total offense. The team saw 14 more first downs than their counterpart and held the Lynx to just 43 yards on the ground. The Augie offense was spearheaded by their rushing attack as Tyler Rivelli ended with a game-high 98 yards on 17 carries to go with two touchdowns. On the receiving end, Craig Shelton tallied 77 yards on six catches.

On defense, Tim Swaney led the way with a team-high eight tackles. Brody Blackford, who had one of two interceptions for the Vikings, was behind with him with seven. Chase Tatum added three solo tackles and a sack.

Thomas Hall is expected to be the starter at quarterback on Saturday vs. Millikin. The freshman split time under center with Jason Grimes against Rhodes as the two combined for 211 yards through the air. Both passing touchdowns against the Lynx came out of the hands of Grimes, who ended with a team-high 17 attempts.

The Augustana Vikings' 2021 home opener against Millikin is this season's Knowlton Kickoff Classic. The 2013 season-opening game against Mount St. Joseph was the inaugural contest in the Austin
E. Knowlton Outdoor Athletic Complex and marked the beginning of the Knowlton Kickoff Classic tradition. The Knowlton Athletic Complex is named in honor of the late Ohio businessman and philanthropist Austin E. Knowlton, who founded the Knowlton Foundation and funded it throughout his lifetime and through a provision in his will. 

The Vikings are 5-2 in their last seven CCIW openers and are 4-4 in home openers dating back to 2013.

"Coming off a bye week we had a very productive week of practice," said head coach Stephen Bell. "We are all looking forward to competing again this Saturday against a very talented Millikin team.  We feel we have made some nice strides on issues we had in the Rhodes game two weeks ago and feel good about ourselves going into the game Saturday night."

Game Coverage vs. Millikin

• Time: 6:00 p.m.
• Location: Ericson Field | Rock Island, Ill.
• Live video
• Live stats

Kickoff is slated for 6:00 p.m.

Follow @augieathletics on Twitter for in-game updates.