Game Notes
ROCK ISLAND -- The Augustana Vikings football team will battle the Carthage Firebirds on Saturday, Nov. 7 for their last home game of the season. 

The Vikings return to action with an overall record of 4-4 and sit at 3-3 in conference play after falling to the top ranked Wheaton Thunder last weekend by a score of 26-13. Augustana opened the game with an early touchdown pass from Jimmy Makuh to Sean Schlanser, but Wheaton answered to tie the score 6-6 at halftime. The Vikings regained the lead in the third quarter on a 15-yard touchdown run by Keegan Otte, making it 13-6. However, the Thunder responded with a long touchdown pass before scoring twice in the fourth quarter to take a 26-13 lead. Augustana was unable to mount another scoring drive as Wheaton secured the victory.

Makuh completed 21 of 40 passes for 234 yards and one touchdown. Schlanser led the receiving corps with four catches for 98 yards and a touchdown, including a long reception of 56 yards. Otte paced the ground game with 74 rushing yards on 24 carries and one touchdown. Defensively, Cole Schroeder led the pack with seven tackles, five solo and two assisted, along with two breakups and an interception for eight yards.

The Firebirds enters the weekend undefeated at 3-5 and 2-4 in conference action after a 55-3 loss over the No. 4/5 North Central Cardinals last Saturday. North Central jumped out to a 34-0 halftime lead, scoring five touchdowns and a field goal in the first half. The Cardinals continued to extend their advantage in the second half, adding three more touchdowns. Carthage got on the scoreboard with a 24-yard field goal from Mugdim Kreho in the third quarter, but North Central maintained control to secure the 55-3 victory. Landon Paige led the defense with 13 tackles and an interception returned for 37 yards. 

Augie holds a 71-19-4 all-time series record over the Firebirds, with their last meeting resulting in a 23-3 victory for the Vikings. Makuh finished the day with 160 yards through the air and two touchdowns, also adding 38 yards gained on the ground. Otte was handed the ball 22 times and finishes with 100 yards rushing while adding 18 receiving. Two receivers for the Vikings stood out in Ethan Vrabec and Schlanser each catching a score and finishing with 55 and 54 yards receiving, respectively. Carl Thomas finished with 10 total, two TFLs, and a half-sack. 

Kickoff is scheduled for 12 p.m. with senior day recongintion begining at 11:35 a.m.