Game Notes
ROCK ISLAND -- The Augustana Vikings football team is set to host the Illinois Wesleyan Titans on Saturday, Sept. 19, for the first conference battle of the season. 

The Vikings return to action after a tough battle against UW-Stout last weekend, with a score of 37-34. Augustana fell into a 27-3 halftime deficit against UW-Stout, but the Vikings responded with a furious second-half comeback that nearly erased the entire margin. Augustana opened the second half with a 49-yard touchdown from Jimmy Makuh to Sean Schlanser, then added a four-yard touchdown run from Ben Ludlum and a two-point conversion to cut the deficit to 34-18.

After UW-Stout added a field goal, the Vikings continued their rally. David Finfer led an eight-play, 75-yard drive and scored on a four-yard run before adding the two-point conversion. Just 14 seconds later, Finfer connected with Ethan Vrabec for a 29-yard touchdown, with Blayden Murdock converting the two-point attempt to bring Augustana within 37-34 with 5:23 remaining. Despite turning a 27-point deficit into a three-point game, the Vikings could not get the final defensive stop as UW-Stout held on for the victory.

Makuh finished 19-of-32 passing for 182 yards and a touchdown, while Finfer provided a spark in relief, completing 7-of-10 passes for 111 yards and a touchdown. Finfer also added a rushing touchdown. Ludlum led the Augustana rushing attack with 77 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries. Through the air, Tyreke Fortney delivered 10 receptions for 104 yards. Schlanser added four catches for 78 yards and a touchdown, while Vrabec finished with three receptions for 48 yards and a score. Defensively, Carl Thomas led all Vikings with 13 tackles, including two tackles for loss. Tyce Albritton recorded 11 tackles, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery, while Dino Hunt added 10 tackles and 1.5 sacks.

Illinois Wesleyan is coming off a two-game winning streak, with their most recent battle ending in a 45-35 victory over Trine this past Saturday. The Titans led 24-7 at halftime after quarterback Dermot Smyth accounted for three first-half touchdowns, including two scoring connections with wide receiver Will Nazha. Trine cut the deficit to 31-29 in the second half, but Illinois Wesleyan answered with a touchdown from Smyth to Nazha before Smyth broke loose for a 56-yard rushing touchdown late in the fourth quarter to put the game out of reach. The Titans finished with 507 yards of total offense, including 352 passing yards and 155 rushing yards. Smyth completed 22-of-39 passes for five touchdowns and added 69 rushing yards and two scores. Nazha led the receiving corps with 10 catches for 143 yards and three touchdowns, while Joey DeMaio paced the defense with 11 tackles, two sacks, and an interception.

The Titans hold a 48-40-1 all-time series record against the Vikings, with their last meeting resulting in a 42-21 victory for Augie. Makuh delivered one of his strongest performances of the season, finishing 19-of-28 for 259 yards and five touchdowns. Schlanser added six receptions for 84 yards and two touchdowns. On the ground, Ludlum anchored the rushing attack with 25 carries for 120 yards and a touchdown, while also contributing 44 receiving yards. Defensively, Hunt added five stops, while Peter Stapleton finished with four tackles, and Worrels dominated up front with a pair of sacks for 16 yards lost. 

Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.