ROCK ISLAND -- The Augustana Vikings football team is set to host the No. 17 Wheaton Thunder on Saturday, Sept. 20 to open CCIW play.

Augustana currently sits at 1-0 on the season and is coming off its lone bye week following a 42-41 victory against Simpson back on Sept. 6 in overtime. The Vikings got off to a fast start in the game, forcing a three-and-out, with a key sack from Nick Hogan and TJ Klein. On Augie's first offensive drive, Jimmy Makuh completed a pass to Sean Schlanser for a 25-yard touchdown. The Storm followed with a field goal attempt to move the game to 7-3. Augie answered with a 32-yard pass by Makuh to Ethan Vrabec for another Viking touchdown in their second offensive play of the game to make a 14-3 after 15 minutes of play. In the second quarter, the Storm found the advantage with a 16-14 score before a 19-yard field goal attempt by Jacob Garbett to regain the one-point lead. 

Returning to the field, both teams showed strong offensive battles with neither team reaching the end zone until a deep throw by the Storm moved the game to 23-17 entering the final 15 minutes of action. Augie kicked off the high-scoring fourth quarter with a 50-yard pass by Makuh, and a successful attempt by Garbett. Simpson immediately answered with a touchdown from the kickoff to make a 29-24 score. Makuh rushed the middle for another Viking touchdown. With 5:35 left on the clock, Simpson took the three-point lead, and Augie held possession for the remainder of the period and notched a 36-yard field goal attempt to tie the game at 35-35 and force overtime action. 

Augustana scored early in its overtime drive after a seven-yard pass to Schlanser. With the pressure on Simpson, they were able to sneak in a three-yard touchdown with a two-point play set, but it was deflected by the Vikings' defense to allow Augie to conquer the matchup with a 42-41 final score. 

Wheaton enters Saturday's matchup 0-1 on the early season after dropping a non-conference clash with Mount Union by a score of 37-29. In the opening quarter, their opponents scored three times, holding the Thunder to just one touchdown in the first 15 minutes of play. Mount Union held Wheaton scoreless in the second quarter to lead 27-7 at halftime. Returning to the field for another low-scoring period, Mount Union converted a 24-year field goal to move the lead to 37-7. In the fourth, the Thunder rallied back with a 21-yard touchdown and an extra point to close the gap to 37-14. Wheaton followed with a 19-yard touchdown and a 15-year pass with a two-point conversion to get as close as 37-29. Wheaton had 383 yards of total offense, with Mark Forcucci completing 23 of his 42 passing attempts for 273 yards, with two touchdowns. 

The Thunder finished last season with a 9-2 overall record and finished the season at the Culver's Isthmus Bowl, where they defeated UW-Stout. Wheaton was 4-1 on the road a season ago. 

Augustana is 29-36-2 all-time vs. Wheaton, with the Thunder currently in a 17-game win streak in the series. Wheaton collected a 42-3 victory over the Vikings early last season. 

Start time on Saturday is scheduleed for 6 p.m.