ROCK ISLAND -- The Augustana Vikings football team will play its first home game in nearly a month on Saturday, October 5 when they welcome the North Park Vikings to Lindberg Stadium as part of Homecoming weekend.

Augie enters the matchup with a 2-1 overall record and 1-1 mark in conference play, recently defeating Millikin 24-20 last Saturday on the road. The Vikings got off to a fast start in the game, forcing a three-and-out from the Big Blue and seeing a blocked punt by Josh Lim that gave Augie the ball at the Millikin 22-yard line. Four plays later, Mike DiGioia secured the first touchdown of the game, running it in from four yards out to make it a 7-0 lead for the Vikings. The Big Blue answered with a 14-play, 75-yard drive that drained over seven minutes off the clock and resulted in a 12-yard score. The point-after try was no good and the Vikings took a 7-6 lead into the second quarter. Millikin added another touchdown in the second before a Joren Clem field goal cut the deficit in half. The Big Blue led 13-10 at half. 

The Vikings took the lead in the third on a DiGioia touchdown, giving them a four-point advantage entering the final period. A fumble recovery in the end zone put Millikin back on top, but it was Augustana with the final big play as Breyden Smith's 52-yard punt return with four minutes remaining proved to be the difference. Millikin had one final drive with under two minutes to go, but a sack on fourth down on the Augustana 35 by Magnus Wells ended the scoring threat and sealed the victory for the Vikings. 

On offense, Cole Bharwaj completed 13 passes for 150 yards, while DiGioa added 100 yards and two scores on the ground. Sean Schlanser also hauled in five catches for 62 yards. Defensively, the Vikings were led in tackles by Dylan Burton with 11, while Rukkus Hunkins had three of his six tackles go for loss. Millikin out-gained Augustana 291-246.

On Monday, Smith was named the CCIW Special Teams Player of the Week.

Nroth Park currently sits with an identical record as Augustana at 2-1 overall and 1-1 in the CCIW. The Vikings suffered their first loss of the season last Saturday to Elmhurst by a score of 28-21. Neither team put up any points in the first quarter, but the Bluejays erupted for 21 in the second to take a two-touchdown lead into halftime. Both teams scored once in the third and North Park got within a possession late in the fourth, but an unsuccessful onside kick try wrapped up the win for Elmhurst. Quarterback Matt Eck had 430 yards for North Park in the loss. He currently leads the CCIW in passing yards as the only player to throw for over 1,000 so far this season. North Park also owns the top receiving spots in the conference, led by Wesley McCloud with 353 yards, followed by Jerome Ombogo in second with 342. Saturday will be the first road contest of the season for NPU.

Augustana leads the all-time series 57-4 over North Park and has won the last five meetings. Augie was victorious at home last season by a score of 42-28. Cole Bhardwaj threw for 203 yards and three touchdowns, while DiGioia ran for 84 yards and two scores.

Start time is scheduled for 1 p.m.