ROCK ISLAND -- The Augustana Vikings football team earned a Senior Day victory over the Carthage Firebirds on Saturday, using a balanced effort offensively to pick up a 31-21 win at home.

After the Augie defense forced a punt on the opening drive of the game, the Vikings struck quickly on their first possession, finding the end zone three plays later on an 11-yard touchdown run from Mike DiGioia. The Augustana defense had another impressive showing on the ensuing Carthage drive, forcing a three-and-out to set up the second Augie touchdown in as many possessions. Jake Miller hauled in a one-handed catch in the back of the end zone from five yards out to make it a 14-0 lead after one quarter of action.

Carthage collected its first score of the game early in the second, but a blocked extra point by Hugh Keany kept Augustana up eight at 14-6. The Vikings countered the touchdown with one of their own on the following drive. converting a 3rd and 13 for a score thanks to a 32-yard touchdown connection between Liam Crawley and Josh Lim. Each team had the ball three additional times in the frame, but the 21-6 score remained intact entering the halftime break. The Augie defense had two stops in its own territory, including a turnover on downs on the 14-yard line.

Each team notched touchdowns in the third to keep the 15-point margin holding strong through three quarters of play. The Vikings secured a touchdown just 51 seconds into the half, finishing off just a two-play drive with a 35-yard touchdown pass from Crawley to Breyden Smith. An interception return for a touchdown brought the Firebirds closer and made it a 28-13 score with 15 minutes to go. Augustana posted its second stop on fourth down inside its own red zone to keep the Carthage offense out of the end zone.

Another short punt gave the Vikings the ball deep in Carthage territory to kick off the fourth, resulting in a 33-yard field goal by Joren Clem to extend the margin out to 18 points. A nine-play drive followed for the Firebirds, but for the third time in the game, a stop inside the red zone for the Augie defense halted the scoring threat. The Firebirds added a touchdown with under two minutes to play, but failed to recover the onside kick. Augustana ran out the clock moments later to complete the 10-point victory.

DiGioia ended his afternoon with 167 yards on the ground on 24 rushes, while Smith led a balanced attack through the air with seven catches for 67 yards. Crawley posted 172 yards on 15 completions and completed a pass to seven different Vikings. On defense, Luke Willis led the way with 11 tackles, while Keany and Jack Certa each added two sacks.

With the win, the Vikings improve to 4-5 on the year and 3-5 in the CCIW. The team will close out the season next Saturday at Washington-St. Louis.