ROCK ISLAND -- Mike DiGioia ran for a career-high 216 yards and three touchdowns to help lead the Augustana Vikings to a 35-21 bounce-back victory over the Elmhurst Bluejays on Saturday.

Each team had the ball three times in the opening quarter, with the Bluejays striking first with a touchdown following a five-minute drive for the lone points of the frame. Augustana responded with its first score early in the second, going 57 yards on just six plays to even the game with a 15-yard touchdown scamper by DiGioia. The Viking defense made a statement despite being on the field for two Elmhurst possessions back-to-back, forcing negative yardage each time to give the offense the ball back in Bluejays territory. Josh Lim moved the team out in front with a 1-yard plunge to make it a 14-7 game, but a score with just 13 seconds remaining by Elmhurst evened the score back up at 14-14 entering halftime. 

A run-dominant second half followed, with the Vikings grabbing the lead back on a Ben Ludlum 4-yard touchdown. Augie went 84 yards in less than three minutes and was set up by a 64-yard run by Ludlum one play prior to the score. The defense quickly gave the team the ball right back thanks to an interception by Kaden McShaw, resulting in another touchdown on the ground five plays later by DiGioia. Augustana did not attempt a pass in the third quarter and led 28-14 heading into the final 15 minutes of action.

The Vikings continued to thrive on their rushing attack in the fourth, controlling the time of possession before adding on to their lead on DiGioia's third touchdown of the game around the four-minute mark. Elmhurst notched its lone points of the second half on the following drive, but a recovered onside kick by Augie sealed the 14-point victory.

Augustana out-gained Elmhurst 408-259 in the win, with 352 of those coming on the ground. Joining DiGioia in the rushing attack was Ludlum with 84 yards and Lim with 66. Breyden Smith caught two passes for 39 yards. 

Defensively, the Vikings held the Bluejays to just six rushing yards and posted six sacks on the day, including two apiece from TJ Klein and Teke Nieto. Dylan Burton led the way with nine tackles, while Luke Willis was close behind with seven to go with one for loss.

With the win, Augie improves to 3-2 on the season and 2-2 in the CCIW. The team will hit the road next weekend to take on Carroll.