DECATUR, Ill. -- The Augustana Vikings football team picked up its first CCIW win of the season on Saturday, defeating the Millikin Big Blue on the road by a score of 24-20.

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.

On the first play of the second, the home team struck for points again, this time converting a 14-yard pass play for a touchdown to claim its first lead of the game. Millikin got the ball right back after a quick defensive stand and put together another long drive, but this time the march down the field was halted by a Johnny Breeden interception in the end zone. The turnover resulted in a 21-yard field goal from Joren Clem to cut the deficit in half. The Big Blue 13-10 at the halftime break.

After swapping empty possessions to begin the second half, the Vikings reclaimed the lead on another DiGioia touchdown run, this time from 20 yards away halfway through the third quarter. The score was the lone points in the frame and Augustana led 17-13 heading into the final 15 minutes of play. The Augie defense allowed just 35 yards of offense in the third. 

The fourth quarter was filled with numerous game-altering events, beginning with a turnover on downs by the Vikings. Taking over around midfield, Millikin stormed down the field to set up a 1st-and-goal at the Augie five-yard line. Two plays later with the ball at the 1-yard line, the Vikings' defense proceeded to make consecutive goal line stands to turn the Big Blue over on downs. Millikin earned the momentum right back on the very next play, recovering a fumble in the Augustana end zone for the touchdown to jump back out in front 20-17.

The Vikings came up empty on the ensuing drive and punted the ball back to Millikin around the six-minute mark, but the Augie defense delivered again forcing another three-and-out a punt from the Big Blue. The Vikings turned the punt into points as Breyden Smith returned it 52 yards into the end zone to move the Vikings into the lead. Two plays later, Darren Oregon's interception quickly ended the Big Blue's stint with the ball with four minutes remaining. Millikin managed to get the ball back 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 Bhardwaj 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.

With the win, Augie improves to 2-1 on the season and 1-1 in conference. The team will return home to face North Park next Saturday on Homecoming.