INDIANOLA, Iowa -- The Augustana Vikings football team will begin their 2023 campaign on Saturday, September 2 with a non-conference road clash against the Simpson Storm.

An experienced Vikings squad that brings back 10 fifth-year seniors will look to grab their fifth straight season-opening win on Saturday when they take on the Storm for the first time in program history. Augie is coming off of a 5-5 overall record and 4-5 mark in the CCIW in 2022, but brings back a total of 24 starters, including 10 each on both offense and defense, with the other four coming on special teams. On offense, the Vikings return three receivers who caught 20 or more passes in 2022, including all-conference fifth-year senior Bobby Inserra, who led the team in receiving touchdowns, yards, and catches. Inserra ranked third in the CCIW last season in receiving and was the top punt return man all year in the league. The Vikings' offense also brings back five on the offensive line, led by 2022 All-Conference recipient Cain Johnson. Senior quarterback Cole Bhardwaj and running back Tyler Rivelli also return after both finding their way into the single-season record book in multiple categories last year.

On defense, Augustana returns an experienced group, especially at linebacker with the return of Tim Swaney, who missed last season due to injury after finishing second in the CCIW in tackles in 2021. Last year's leading tackler, Ronde Worrels, returns for his sophomore season and is joined by senior Rukkus Hunkins to help lead a deep linebacker group. The defensive line boasts two former All-CCIW members and a pair of fifth-year seniors in Cole Romano and Chase Tatum. The two were the Vikings' sack leaders the past two seasons. Three of the four secondary spots return players from last season, fueled by Nick Harper at corner. Harper ranked second on the team in tackles in 2021 and third on the squad in 2022.

The Vikings also enjoy experience on special teams with the return of Sidney Maroon at kicker. Maroon tied for the lead in the CCIW in made field goals last season. Breyden Smith is back for his sophomore season after ranking second in the conference in kick return average.

Augie ended their 2022 slate with an average of 34.8 points per game, scoring over 30 six different times and 40 points three separate occasions. The team used a balanced attack, averaging 377.8 yards of offense per contest, 125.7 coming on the ground and 252.1 through the air. The 34.8 points per game was good for 44th best in all of Division III. On defense, the Vikings also posted their first shutout since 2019 in a 70-0 win over Millikin.

Simpson enters Saturday's season opener coming off of a 1-9 record in 2022, the second consecutive season posting that mark. The Storm began the year 0-7 before picking up their lone win at home against Nebraska Wesleyan by a score of 74-41. In 2022, Simpson averaged 22.4 points per game and put up 383 yards of offense per outing. The team saw most of their production come through the air, averaging 291 yards passing compared to 92 yards on the ground. The Storm are seeking their first season-opening victory since the 2015 season.

Kickoff on Saturday is scheduled for 6 p.m. from inside Buxton Stadium. Live stats and live video will be available for the contest.