ROCK ISLAND -- The Augustana Vikings football team earned its fourth straight win on Saturday, defeating the visiting North Park Vikings by a score of 42-28.

It was a fast start to the game for Augie as a 68-yard rush from Tyler Rivelli on the second play of the game eventually set up a one-yard touchdown plunge from Mike DiGioia. After the defense forced a North Park punt, the Vikings quickly made it a 14-0 game on the ensuing drive, capping off a nine-play, 80-yard march down the field with another DiGioia touchdown scamper from 14 yards out. Augustana led 14-0 after 15 minutes of action.

After 10 minutes of scoreless play to begin the second quarter, the visitors cut the margin in half with their first touchdown of the game. The two teams traded defensive stops before Augustana notched its third score of the half with just 15 seconds remaining. Sitting with a first down at the North Park 4-yard line, Cole Bhardwaj connected with Bobby Inserra in the back corner of the end zone to bring the score to 21-7 heading into intermission.

On the second play of the second half, Augie added onto its lead, this time scoring from the defensive side of the ball on a 38-yard interception return for a touchdown from Darren Oregon. North Park got back within two scores later in the period, posting the game's longest drive of nearly eight minutes that resulted in their second trip to the end zone. The Vikings extended their differential back out to 21 before the end of the third on a short pass to Breyden Smith, who took it the distance from the 36 yards out.

Another seven-minute possession for North Park kicked off the fourth quarter and ended in another touchdown to bring the margin back down to 14 at score of 35-21. The Vikings continued to keep their distance, adding one final touchdown through the air with 4:50 remaining. Fighting through a pass interference, Inserra made an acrobatic catch near his feet to secure his second score of the game from 27 yards out. North Park notched one final touchdown two minutes later, but an onside kick attempt fell into the hands of Inserra to all but ice the game.

Offensively, Bhardwaj wrapped up his afternoon with 203 yards on 14 completions, while Rivelli was the game's top rusher with 102 yards on the ground. Three different Vikings caught at least three passes, with Smith tallying 62 yards and Jordan Vesey and Inserra both racking up 61.

On defense, Rukkus Hunkins secured a team-high 12 tackles, followed by Ronde Worrels with eight. Cole Romano recorded two sacks for a loss of 22 yards.

Augie out-gained North Park 420-370.

With the win, the Vikings improve to 6-1 overall and 5-1 in the CCIW. The team will hit the road for their next contest on Saturday, October 28 when they take on Illinois Wesleyan.