Game Notes
ROCK ISLAND -- The Augustana Vikings football team is set to host the No. 1 Wheaton Thunder on Saturday, Oct. 31, for a CCIW clash.

The Vikings return to action with an overall record of 4-3 and sit at 3-2 in conference play after defeating the North Park Vikings last week by a score of 35-12. Augustana dominated early, scoring three first-quarter touchdowns through Jimmy Makuh's passes to Tyreke Fortney, Sean Schlanser and Ethan Vrabec. Makuh connected with Schlanser for two more touchdowns, including one late in the second quarter and another in the fourth, as the Vikings built a 35-0 lead. North Park scored twice in the second half, but Augie maintained control to secure a 35-12 victory.

Makuh led the Vikings' offensive effort, completing 22 of 34 passes for 260 yards and five touchdowns without an interception. Schlanser hauled in eight receptions for 95 yards and three touchdowns, while Fortney recorded seven catches for 61 yards and a touchdown. On the ground, senior running back Ben Ludlum rushed for 103 yards on 22 carries. Defensively, Kaden McShaw recorded both interceptions, totaling 44 return yards.

The Thunder enters the weekend undefeated at 7-0 and 5-0 in conference action after a 41-3 victory over the Carroll Pioneers last Saturday. Wheaton delivered a strong performance on both sides of the ball, defeating Carroll with 486 total yards of offense while limiting the Pioneers to 205 yards. Quarterback Mark Forcucci threw for 284 yards and four touchdowns, connecting twice with Charlie Duck and once each with Sam McFadden and Seth Kortenhoeven. Matt Crider added two rushing touchdowns as the Thunder built a 20-3 halftime lead and scored on their first three possessions of the second half to extend the advantage to 41-3. Kortenhoeven led all receivers with 192 yards and a touchdown, while Zeke Harris paced the defense with 10 tackles.

Wheaton holds a 38-29-2 all-time series record over Augie, with their last matchup resulting in a 50-7 win for the Thunder. 

Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.