ROCK ISLAND -- The Augustana Vikings football team scored the first 30 points of the game on Saturday, tallying 23 of those in the first half on their way to a 30-13 victory over the Simpson Storm to begin the 2024 season.

The Augie defense set the tone to kick off the game, forcing a three-and-out from Simpson after allowing just three yards in three plays. The Vikings got on the board first on their ensuing possession as Joren Clem drilled a 28-yard field goal to give Augustana a 3-0 lead. 

Another critical defensive stop followed by the Vikings, this time turning Simpson over on downs on the Augustana 30-yard line. Augie then went 70 yards in just four plays, beginning with a 50-yard pass from Cole Bhardwaj to Ethan Vrabec to put the team in the red zone. Three plays later, Bhardwaj connected with Brett Holcomb from three yards out for the Vikings' first touchdown of the season. A failed extra point made it a 9-0 game through one quarter of action.

Augustana's final drive of the first quarter carried into the second and ended in a four-yard touchdown pass from Bhardwaj to Sean Schlanser to increase the margin to 16. The defense continued to shine, giving the Vikings the ball right back after a Kaden McShaw interception on just the third play of the following Simpson possession. Two plays later, Josh Lim took it 67 yards to the house to put Augustana out in front 23-0. The 23-point remained intact at the halftime break.

The Vikings continued to pour it on to begin the third, scoring another touchdown on their opening drive to make it 30-0. Mike DiGioia collected the final points for Augie after rushing for 27 yards during the possession, capping it off with a one-yard rush into the end zone. The Storm earned their first touchdown on the ensuing drive, moving the score to 30-7 in favor of Augustana entering the final quarter. Simpson controlled the time of possession in the final frame, using a near-seven minute drive to secure its second touchdown. The Vikings ran out the clock to seal the 17-point victory.

On offense, Bhardwaj finished his night 19-29 through the air with 236 yards and two touchdowns, while Vrabec was the top receiver with 90 yards. Schlanser hauled in seven catches for 90 yards as well, while Lim led the ground attack with 121 yards. Augustana out-gained Simpson 420-269.

Defensively, Dylan Burton led the charge with a team-high eight tackles, with Hugh Keany and Luke Willis following with six apiece. Keany also added a forced fumble and a blocked extra point.

With the win, the Vikings are 1-0 to begin the season. The team will have a week off before traveling to No. 9 Wheaton on September 21.