ST. LOUIS, Mo. -- The Augustana Vikings football team was defeated in its final game of the 2024 season on Saturday, falling to the Washington-St. Louis Bears by a final of 45-24.

The Vikings' defense shined to start the game, forcing a three-and-out before a high-scoring rest of the quarter followed. Augie was the first to strike, capping off a quick 65-yard drive that took just four plays with a 26-yard pass connection between Liam Crawley and Sean Schlanser. The team teams traded empty possessions before the Bears got on the board with a 30-yard field goal around the eight-minute mark. Two minutes later, WashU took its first lead after a 69-yard passing score, but a 28-yard run by Mike DiGIoia countered the touchdown following a big kickoff return by Breyden Smith. Augustana led 14-10 after 15 minutes of action.

The back-and-forth battle continued, with the Bears plunging into the end zone from a yard out to take a 17-14 lead. Joren Clem evened the game at 17 apiece with a 33-yard field goal with three minutes to go, but a touchdown with just 19 seconds remaining moved WashU out in front 24-17 entering halftime. 

Four plays into the second half, the Vikings tied up it up on a 66-yard touchdown scamper by Ben Ludlum. WashU answered with a pair of touchdown runs in the final five minutes of the quarter and took a 38-24 lead with 15 minutes left on the clock. Augie could not get into Bears territory on any of its first three possessions of the fourth and a late touchdown by the home team extended the advantage out to 21, which proved to be the final margin.

WashU out-gained Augustana 481-305 in the game. The Vikings were led on the ground by DiGioia, who finished with 93 yards. He ends the season with over 1,000 rushing yards and eclipsed 2,000 for his career following Saturday's contest. Crawley had 166 yards throwing the ball, while Ethan Vrabec caught five passes for 40 yards. Defensively, Dakota Straight finished with a game-high 12 tackles, followed by Luke Willis with eight.

Augie ends the 2024 season with a 4-6 record.