ROCK ISLAND -- The Augustana Vikings football team will officially kick off its 2024 campaign on Saturday, September 7 against the Simpson Storm at home.

Augustana is fresh off an 8-3 record in 2023, notching the most wins since the 2005 season and also clinching its first postseason berth since that year as well. The Vikings opened the season with back-to-back wins, which included a road victory over Simpson and a record-breaking 74-6 win at home over Elmhurst. Following a one-possession road loss at No. 10 Wheaton, Augie rattled off six wins in a row to put themselves in a position to earn a share of the CCIW title entering the season finale. Included in that winning streak was four double-digit victories and a first-ever triumph over Washington-St. Louis. 

The Vikings fell in the finale to No. 1 ranked North Central, but clinched third place in the CCIW and qualified for the Culver's Isthmus Bowl. The bowl game was the first for Augustana outside of playing in the Stagg Bowl and the first postseason game since making the Division III playoffs in 2005. The Vikings were defeated in the contest by UW-Platteville to end the 2023 season.

Following the conclusion of the regular season, a total of eight Vikings were named on the CCIW's All-Conference list, the most the team has earned since the 2008 season. Tim Swaney was the lone First Team selection, while Tyler Rivelli, Bobby Inserra, Cain Johnson, Brayden Macdonald, Chase Tatum, Darren Oregon, and Nick Harper all secured Second Team recognition. A month later, Harper was named to the D3football.com All-Region team before garnering All-American honors from both D3football and Hansen Ratings in the following weeks. Swaney and Macdonald were also recognized as CSC Academic All-District selections in mid-December.

Entering 2024, the Vikings boast key returners on both sides of the ball, including starting quarterback Cole Bhardwaj. The fifth-year player out of Algonquin, Ill. currently ranks third all-time in program history in completions, fourth in passing yards, and already owns the top spot for most passing touchdowns in a career. He is joined on offense by senior running back Mike DiGioia, who ran for 656 yards and 10 touchdowns last season. In the receiving game, Breyden Smith leads a talented group that includes key contributors from last season in Sean Schlanser and Jake Miller at tight end. Smith will also lead the return game, currently ranking in the top three in kick return yards all-time in Augustana history. Jakob North and All-Conference selection Cain Johnson return on the offensive line and will look to help lead an offense that ranked third in the CCIW in rushing in 2023.

On defense, the Vikings boast an experienced secondary, led by All-Conference selection Oregon at corner and seniors Johnny Breeden and Dakota Straight at safety. Oregon was second on the team in interceptions last year with four to go with one defensive touchdown, while Breeden moved up to No. 3 all-time in pass breakups, currently with 26. At linebacker, Rukkus Hunkins is back after ranking second on the team a season ago with 59 tackles, while Ronde Worrels and Hugh Keany anchor the defensive line. Worrels had 46 tackles, five for loss, in 2023.

Simpson enters the new year following a 3-7 mark in 2023. All three victories for the Storm came away from home last year, averaging over 50 points during those wins.The defense struggled for Simpson, allowing 44.5 points per outing and had six times giving up 40 or more. J Jensen III returns for his senior season at the quarterback position, playing in every game last year and throwing for nearly 3,000 yards and 27 touchdowns. The Storm were a pass-heavy team in 2023, throwing for 293.2 yards per contest.

Saturday will mark just the second meeting ever between Augustana and Simpson. The Vikings won the lone matchup last season in Indianola, Iowa by a score of 49-27. After trailing by seven after 15 minutes of action, the team used back-to-back 21-point quarters in the second and third to run away with the win. Bhardwaj threw for 184 yards and two scores, while Oregon had eight tackles and two pass breakups.

Start time is scheduled for 6 p.m.