ROCK ISLAND -- After a lengthy weather delay that pushed game time back three hours, the Augustana Vikings dominated from start to finish, defeating the visiting Elmhurst Bluejays right as the clock struck midnight by a score of 74-6. The 74 points in a game are the most in program history, breaking a 103-year record set back in 1920 when they scored 72 against Hedding.
Both the Augie offense and defense were on full display in the opening quarter. After a quick forced punt by the Vikings,
Cole Bhardwaj put Augie on the board less than five minutes in with a nine-year touchdown to
Jake Miller. Another three-and-out followed from the Bluejays, setting up the Vikings' second touchdown in as many drives.
Mike DiGioia added one on the ground from a yard out to make it 14-0 with just over six minutes to go in the frame.
A total of 23 points were put on the scoreboard in the final six minutes of the first quarter, beginning with a bad snap over the Elmhurst punter deep in their territory that resulted in a safety. A 63-yard return on the free kick from
Josh Lim gave Augie the ball back at the Bluejays' five, setting up a second Bhardwaj to Miller connection to add onto their cushion. A
Bobby Inserra punt return for a touchdown from 59 yards out and
Tyler Rivelli one-yard run made it 37-0 after 15 minutes of action.
The backfield for Augustana continued to be active in the second quarter, seeing two touchdowns from two different backs.
Ben Ludlum added to the Vikings' lead at the 9:53 mark with his 20-yard rush, followed by a DiGioia 26-yard catch from Bhardwaj. The Vikings led 51-0 at the break.
The defense found the end zone for the first points of the third quarter as
Cole Romano scooped up a fumble at the Elmhurst 37-yard line and brought it all the way back to increase the margin to 57 points. Augie added two more scores in the frame, including a 32-yard touchdown pass from
Liam Crawley to
Nolin Hulett. Ludlum contributed his second score of the night from five yards out to make it 71-0 Augie entering the final quarter.
Sidney Maroon connected on a field goal in the fourth to bring the team to its 74th point and set a new school record.
The Vikings out-gained the Bluejays 381-157 despite running nine fewer plays than their counterpart. On defense, Augie held Elmhurst to just 2.4 yards per play.
Ronde Worrels led the balanced attack with eight tackles, while
Tim Swaney and
Magnus Wells were close behind with seven and six, respectively. The team also racked up 2.5 sacks, with Wells accounting for 1.5 of those for a loss of nine yards.
Luke Willis also snagged an interception late in the game.
On offense, Bhardwaj finished with 128 yards through the air and three touchdowns. Eight different receivers caught at least one pass, while Ludlum was the team's top rusher with 88 yards.
Augustana improves to 2-0 on the season and will visit No. 11 Wheaton next Saturday.
