ROCK ISLAND, Ill. – The Augustana Vikings football team delivered a dominant performance on Senior Day, shutting out the Carthage Firebirds 37-0 on Saturday afternoon.
Augustana wasted little time getting on the scoreboard, opening the game with a seven-play, 76-yard drive that ended with a three-yard touchdown pass from
Jimmy Makuh to
Ethan Vrabec. The Vikings added to their advantage later in the first quarter when Makuh capped a 24-yard drive with a two-yard rushing touchdown, giving Augie a 14-0 lead heading into the second quarter.
The Vikings continued to apply pressure in the second quarter. After forcing Carthage to surrender possession, Augustana put together a six-play, 38-yard scoring drive, with Makuh connecting with Blayden Murdock for a two-yard touchdown. Augie extended its lead just before halftime, putting together a nine-play, 63-yard drive that concluded with another touchdown connection between Makuh and Vrabec, this time from eight yards out. The Vikings carried a 27-0 advantage into the break.
Augustana added to its lead in the third quarter as Jacob Garbett connected on a 33-yard field goal to cap a 10-play drive, making it 30-0. The Vikings put the finishing touches on the afternoon early in the fourth quarter when Makuh found the end zone for his second rushing touchdown of the game, scoring from two yards out to secure the 37-0 final.
The Vikings finished the afternoon with a commanding advantage in total offense, outgaining Carthage 371-140. Augie totaled 202 rushing yards and 169 passing yards while recording 21 first downs compared to just eight for the Firebirds. Keegan Otte paced the ground attack with 161 yards on 23 carries, averaging 7.0 yards per attempt. Makuh completed 19 of 27 passes for 151 yards and three touchdowns while adding 36 rushing yards and two scores on the ground. Vrabec led the receiving corps with three catches for 24 yards and two touchdowns, while Tyreke Fortney added five receptions for 44 yards.
Defensively, Augustana kept Carthage off the scoreboard for all four quarters, limiting the Firebirds to 140 total yards, including just 42 through the air. The Vikings forced three interceptions, with Braden Houchin, Frank Lacny and Johnny Crawford each recording a pick. Teke Nieto led the defensive effort with three tackles, two tackles for loss and a sack, while Carl Thomas paced the team with six total tackles. Augie also recorded two sacks and held Carthage to just seven completions on 24 passing attempts.
With the win, Augie improves to 5-4 on the season and 4-3 in conference action. The Vikings will close out the regular season next Saturday at Carroll.
