ROCK ISLAND -- The Augustana Vikings football team will play in their final home game of the 2022 season on Saturday, November 5 when they welcome in the Carthage Firebirds to Lindberg Stadium.

Augie enters with a 5-3 overall record and 4-3 mark in conference following a come-from-behind 24-21 victory over Illinois Wesleyan last Saturday. The Vikings were blanked in the opening two quarters and faced a 10-point deficit at the break before eventually rattling off 21 unanswered points to take control. Augie fended off a late score and onside kick recovery from the Titans, forcing a fumble on the final drive to escape with the three-point victory.

Craig Shelton caught two touchdown passes from Cole Bhardwaj, with his second early in the fourth quarter proving to be the go-ahead score at the time. Tyler Rivelli added a touchdown run later on to add to their advantage. 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 Ronde Worrels. As a team, the Vikings had five sacks, led by two from Cole Romano and one by Chase Tatum, who caused the game-clinching fumble on the final Titans possession. 

Carthage currently sits at 2-6 overall and 2-5 in the CCIW. The team is currently enduring a three-game losing streak after falling to their rival Carroll last Saturday by a score of 59-14. During their losing skid, the Firebirds have been outscored 173-38, allowing 55-plus points each time out. The three-game losing streak comes after posting two consecutive wins over Elmhurst and North Park earlier this month.

Augustana holds a 67-18-4 all-time record against Carthage, having won the last two meetings. The Vikings defeated the Firebirds in Kenosha last season by a score of 42-14, out-gaining Carthage 526-356. Jacob Brooks tallied 190 yards on the ground in the win. The two teams have split their last eight meetings with four wins apiece.

Start time is scheduled for 1:00 p.m., with the senior recognition ceremony to begin approximately 30 minutes prior. Live video and stat links can be found here.