ROCK ISLAND -- The Augustana Vikings football team will officially kick off its 2026 season on Saturday, Sept. 5, at home against the Simpson Storm.

Augustana is coming off a 7-3 record in 2025 and a 6-3 conference record. The Vikings opened the season with a 42-41 victory over Simpson before dropping their first CCIW contest against then-ranked No. 17 Wheaton. The team followed up with four consecutive conference wins before facing the top-ranked North Central. The Vikings collected two more victories in conference play and closed out the season with a tough loss to WashU, finishing fourth in the league. 

Following the conclusion of the regular season, a total of six Vikings were named on the CCIW's All-Conference list. Max Castle and Toby Splitt were named first team, while Jimmy Makuh, Sean Schanlser, Jake Miller, and Darren Oregon earned second team recognition. In Jan., seven were named CSC Academic All-District, with Splitt advancing to the Academic All-American ballot. Also on the list, TJ Klein, Ethan Vrabec, Cole Schroeder, Ben Ludlum, Ryan Gustafsson, Cole Schroeder, and Josh Lim.

Entering 2026, the Vikings boast key returners on both sides of the ball, including three all-conference selections. In the rushing game, Ludlum and Lim lead a group of key contributors on the offensive side, while Schansler and Vrabec led last season in receiving yards. On defense, the Vikings boast lineback Dino Hunt, who ranked second on the team a season ago, while TJ Klein and Zach Gray anchor the defensive line. 

Simpson enters the new academic year following a 6-4 mark in 2025. Five of their victories came from road matchups. The Storm return leading running back Demarico Young, who finished the season with 1068 yards on 160 attempts and six touchdowns. Another returner for Simpson is wide receiver Noah Cracraft, who collected 648 yards on 53 receptions and 11 touchdowns. 

Saturday will mark the fourth meeting between Augustana and Simpson. The Vikings have conquered all three previous games, with Augie collecting a 42-41 overtime victory a season ago on the road. Offensively, Makuh completed 31 passes for 375 yards, while Schlanser added 104 yards and two scores and Ludlum rushed for 92 yards. On defense, Hunt totaled nine tackles, while Klein had one tackle for loss and half a sack. 

Start time is scheduled for 6 p.m.