ROCK ISLAND -- The Augustana Vikings football team will be back in action on Saturday, September 16 when they host the Elmhurst Bluejays for their first home game of the 2023 season.

Augie enters the weekend with a 1-0 record after defeating the Simpson Storm back on September 2 by a score of 49-27. After falling behind 7-0 through the first 15 minutes of play, the Vikings strung together a big second quarter, out-scoring the Storm 21-6 on their way to an eight-point halftime lead. Ben Ludlum put the Vikings on the board early in the second with a one-yard touchdown rush before a 38-yard pass connection from Cole Bhardwaj to Ian Gorken gave Augie their first lead. The first half was capped off with a Hail Mary heave brought in by Jordan Vesey to bring the score to 21-13.

Another monster quarter ensued for the Vikings, with both the offense and defense shining as the team extended their cushion to 42-13. Augustana saw back-to-back touchdown runs from Tyler Rivelli within the first three minutes of the half, later notching their third score on the ground from Mike DiGioia at the 6:08 mark. Augie's defense did not allow a point in the third quarter and caused two Storm drives of negative yards. Simpson's final drive of the frame proved to be the most threatening, but the 65-yard march was stopped on fourth down to halt the possession. Teke Nieto's interception return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter put the exclamation point on the 49-27 victory.

On offense, Bhardwaj began his senior campaign with a 14-20, 184-yard effort to go with two touchdowns through the air. He completed passes to five different receivers, led by Vesey's six catches for 76 yards. Rivelli earned a 100-yard performance on the ground, racking up 106 yards on just 10 rushes. 

Defensively, Tim Swaney led the way with 10 tackles, two for loss, and one sack. Darren Oregon was next with eight, seven of which were solo. Nick Harper ended his night with five tackles, two interceptions, and one pass break up.

Elmhurst currently sports a 1-0 record on the season after defeating Adrian two weeks ago at home by a score of 14-3. The victory was the Bluejays' first win since October 9, 2021, snapping a 15-game losing streak, and their first season-opening triumph since the 2018 season. Against Adrian, the team's defense was the story, accounting for the game's first points with a 54-yard interception return late in the first quarter. The Bulldogs pulled with in four with late field goal heading into halftime, but an Elmhurst rushing touchdown in the third separated them away for good. Elmhurst was out-gained by Adrian 264-203 in the win.

The Vikings are 57-8-1 all-time against the Bluejays and have won five straight in the series. The two teams met last year in Elmhurst, resulting in a 34-16 victory for Augustana. Rivelli finished with four touchdowns on the ground to lead the offense, while Harper and Chase Tatum each had a forced fumble on the defensive end.

Start time on Saturday is scheduled for 6 p.m. Live coverage can be found here.