ROCK ISLAND, Ill. -- The Augustana Vikings football team will kick off their 2021 season on Saturday, September 3 when they host the Rhodes Lynx in a non-conference clash inside the Austin E. Knowlton Athletic Complex.

"We're excited to get this season started," said head coach Steve Bell. "We have a large senior class that have invested a ton of work in our program, as well as three recruiting classes behind them with talent and depth. This group has had a lot of learning experiences and are eager to build upon them as the season moves forward. We are all mentally and physically prepared to get going and see where this season takes us."

Cole Bhardwaj is expected to start at quarterback for the Vikings on Saturday. The junior from Algonquin, Ill. ended his 2021 campaign with multiple spots in the top ten in the Augie record book, despite playing just seven games. He now holds the No. 8 spot in completion percentage and No. 5 spot in pass yards per game for a single season. He threw for 1,300 yards in 2021 and boasted a completion percentage of 60 percent.

In addition to quarterback, Augustana will start multiple returners on the offensive side of the ball, including four offensive linemen. Daniel Skold, Jakob North, Brayden Macdonald, and Jacob Uhlmann all started multiple games in 2021 and will anchor an offensive line with four upperclassmen. The Vikings also return two key contributors in the backfield in Tyler Rivelli and Jacob Brooks. The two nearly had an exact split in carries in 2021, with Rivelli tallying 595 yards on 113 attempts and Brooks securing 547 yards on 118 attempts. The two combined for 10 touchdowns out of the backfield a season ago and both averaged over 50 yards per game.

At receiver, Jordan Vesey, Craig Shelton, and Bobby Inserra all return for the Vikings and are expected to start against the Lynx. Inserra, an All-CCIW specialist a year ago, also led Augie in catches and receiving yards per game in 2021. Indiana State transfer Jack Schmitz will make his debut for the Vikings on Saturday at tight end.

On defense, Augustana brings back eight starters from 2021, featuring CCIW sack leader Chase Tatum and interception leader Nick Harper. Tatum, a senior from Princeton, Ill. finished third in the conference in tackles for loss and was third on the team in tackles, resulting in a First-Team All-CCIW selection. Harper earned Second-Team honors after snagging four interceptions and coming in second in tackles for the Vikings. He also led the team in pass breakups. Tim Swaney, who finished second in the league with 92 tackles and earned Second-Team All-Conference in 2021, also returns for the Vikings in 2022. Augie is expected to start eight upperclassmen on defense versus Rhodes, including four on the defensive line. Senior defensive backs Frank Giamarusti and Vincent D'Orazio will also join Harper in an experienced secondary.

The Vikings and Lynx met a season ago in both teams' season opener down in Memphis, Tenn., resulting in an Augie 31-21 victory. Augie jumped out to a quick 17-7 first-quarter advantage, seeing scores from Rivelli on the ground and Inserra through the air. Augie added two more touchdowns in the second to make it 31-7 heading into halftime. The Lynx defense stepped up in the second half, preventing any more points from the Vikings. Augie held off two second-half scores from Rhodes and used their early-game cushion to win by double digits, despite failing to score in the second half. Rivelli had 98 yards on the ground for Augustana and 77 yards receiving from Shelton. Swaney finished with a team-high 12 tackles.

Last season was the first-ever meeting between the two. Rhodes finished 2021 with a 3-7 record overall.

The Vikings concluded the 2021 season with a 5-5 record, but were winners of three straight to close out the year. Augie was picked to finish fourth in the 2022 CCIW preseason coaches' poll.

Augie and Rhodes is scheduled to kick off at 12:00 p.m. from inside Lindberg Stadium. Live video and live stats will be available for the contest.