ROCK ISLAND -- The Augustana Vikings football team used a big second half on Saturday to erase a 10-point halftime deficit and defeat the visiting Illinois Wesleyan Titans at home by a final score of 24-21.

The Titans scored first on their opening drive, connecting on a 41-yard field goal attempt for the early 3-0 lead. The three-point margin remain intact for nearly the entire of the first half, with each team holding firm on defense. Illinois Wesleyan grabbed one more score right before intermission, this time a touchdown as they capped off a 10-play drive to bring the score to 10-0 heading into halftime.

A 79-yard kickoff return from Breyden Smith to jumpstart the second half gave Augie its best starting field position of the game inside the Titans' 20-yard line, eventually resulting in a 26-yard field goal from Sidney Maroon to put the Vikings on the scoreboard. The visitors earned the three points right back on their ensuing drive, stretching the differential back out to 10 with a 20-yard field goal after another 10-play possession.

Augustana and Illinois Wesleyan alternated empty possessions, but the Vikings finally got in the end zone on their final drive of the third quarter. A partially blocked punt from Toby Splitt gave Augustana the ball at the IWU 42-yard line, resulting in a 39-yard touchdown pass from Cole Bhardwaj to Craig Shelton two plays later. The 13-10 advantage for the Titans remained heading into the fourth quarter.

On their first chance with the ball in the fourth quarter, Augie snagged their first lead of the contest as Bhardwaj and Shelton connected once again through the air, this time from 28 yards out to put the Vikings up 17-13 with just under 14 minutes remaining. The Vikings' defense stalled out the Titans inside Augie territory, forcing a punt to re-take possession at their own 10. 

From there, Augustana conducted a long, 10-play drive that nearly chewed off seven minutes on the clock. The Vikings capped off their march down the field with a seven-yard rushing touchdown from Tyler Rivelli to push their lead to 11 at 24-13. 

Illinois Wesleyan did not go down without a fight, storming down the field to find the end zone with 37 seconds left. A successful two-point conversion came next, setting up an onside try on the ensuing kickoff. A deflected ball off of an Augie player resulted in a recovery for the Titans and a dead-ball penalty gave the visitors the ball inside the Vikings' 35-yard line. On their first play from scrimmage, a sack and forced fumble by Chase Tatum ended Illinois Wesleyan's comeback hopes as Ronde Worrels pounced on the ball to give the Vikings possession. Two kneel-downs sealed the game and Augie escaped with the 24-21 victory.

Bhardwaj finished his afternoon with 203 yards through the airs to go with his two touchdowns to Shelton, who hauled in four catches for 95 yards. Rivelli was the team's top rusher, tallying 62 yards on the ground.

On defense, Conner Waite racked up a game-best 10 tackles, followed by seven from Worrels. As a team, the Vikings had five sacks, led by two from Cole Romano. The Titans out-gained the Vikings 329-269 and possessed the ball for 11 more minutes than Augie.

With the win, Augustana earns their second consecutive win over Illinois Wesleyan and improves to 5-3 (4-3 CCIW) on the year. The team will remain home for their final home game of the season on Saturday, November 5 when they welcome in the Carthage Firebirds for Senior Day. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. from Lindberg Stadium.