ROCK ISLAND, Ill. -- The Augustana Vikings football team battled the Illinois Wesleyan Titans on Saturday, but a late fourth-quarter rally came up just short as the Vikings fell to the Titans, 17-10, in the CCIW opener.
Augustana controlled the game's opening moments, putting together a methodical nine-play, 50-yard drive that ended with Jacob Garbett connecting on a 42-yard field goal with 4:56 remaining in the first quarter. The Vikings' defense then forced Illinois Wesleyan to punt on its next possession, keeping Augustana in front through the opening period.
The Titans answered early in the second quarter. Illinois Wesleyan connected on a 30-yard touchdown pass with 14:47 remaining in the half, giving the visitors its first lead of the afternoon. Augie had an opportunity to regain momentum later in the quarter, putting together a 63-yard drive that moved deep into Titan territory. Illinois Wesleyan's defense, however, held at the 2-yard line, forcing a turnover on downs. The Titans extended their advantage before halftime with a 39-yard field goal, taking a 10-3 lead into the break.
The Vikings' offense continued to move the ball in the second half, but Illinois Wesleyan's defense repeatedly came up with key stops. Augustana finished the afternoon with 375 yards of total offense, including 270 through the air, and matched the Titans with 16 first downs.
The game's pivotal moment came early in the third quarter. After Augustana's defense forced a punt, the Vikings took over at their own 10-yard line. On the first play of the drive, Illinois Wesleyan intercepted a pass and returned it 30 yards for a touchdown, pushing the Titan lead to 17-3.
The Vikings mounted a lengthy fourth-quarter drive after another defensive stop, moving 72 yards on seven plays. David Finfer found Tyreke Fortney for a 15-yard touchdown with just four seconds remaining, cutting the deficit to 17-10.
Finfer finished the afternoon with 270 passing yards and a touchdown, while Fortney led the Vikings with 80 receiving yards and four kickoff returns for 102 yards. Ben Ludlum paced the ground game with 74 rushing yards on 16 carries. Defensively, Augustana held Illinois Wesleyan to 298 total yards and just 105 rushing yards. The Vikings also limited the Titans to 4-of-13 on third down and forced the visitors to settle for long stretches without points.
The Vikings move to 1-2 on the season and will return to action next Saturday, Sept. 26, when they travel to Elmhurst for another CCIW matchup.
