MOORHEAD, Minn. --  The MSU Moorhead football squad goes on the road this week for their matchup against the Vikings of Augustana University. The game is set to kickoff Saturday at 1 p.m. in Sioux Falls, S.D.

Live stats and video are available at msumdragons.com.
 
About the Dragons

The Dragons (2-1) come into the fourth week of the season with a winning record, hoping to grab another victory early this season at Augustana in front of their home crowd. Led by 13^th year head coach Steve Laqua, the Dragons continued their strong start to the season last week against Bearcats of McKendree University with a 38-17 victory. The Dragons dominated most of this game, leading 31-3 going into the fourth quarter. The Bearcats made the game a little bit closer than it maybe should have been at the end, but overall MSUM's performance was stellar.

That started with the defense, which was lockdown for most of the game last week. Many players on the defensive side of the ball flashed their talent and had a great game. Junior middle linebacker Josiah Behm was flying all over the field for the Dragons making 10 tackles, two sacks, breaking up a pass, and the cherry on top was forcing a fumble. With that effort, he earned NSIC Defensive Player of the Week honors. Sophomore defensive back Tate Gustafson also had himself a day with an incredible 16 tackles and adding a sack as well. Over the first three games this season, senior defensive back Jared Kallenbach has been great. He is tied for the team lead with three pass breakups, and he also has tallied 19 tackles which is good enough for fourth-best on the team. Junior defensive lineman Justice Noel has also been very solid for the Dragon defense so far this year with 15 tackles and a sack.

After three weeks, the Dragon defense ranks third in the NSIC in points allowed per game with 20.7.

The Dragons were rolling again offensively last week, as they dropped 38 points on McKendree. The Dragons were able to impose their will on offense by passing as well as running the ball. Sophomore quarterback Jack Strand completed 30-of-43 attempts for 387 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions. Redshirt sophomore receiver Carter Birrenkott continued his run of great form last week, hauling in 10 passes for 179 yards and two touchdown receptions. Redshirt sophomore receiver Gage Florence also had a big performance with nine catches for 116 yards and a touchdown. Birrenkott and sophomore wide receiver Brady Perryman are now tied for the team lead in touchdown grabs, both with four scores early this season. 

MSUM had a second straight week where they rushed the football well. Taking out sack yardage, the Dragons totaled 121 rushing yards on the day. The offensive line has been very solid so far, opening up gaps and rushing lanes for running backs Luke Imdieke, Tyson Powell and Owen Wiersma. Against McKendree, Imdieke had eight rushes for 47 yards, Powell had six rushes for 24 yards and a touchdown and Wiersma had 41 yards on seven attempts. Each of the three backs averaged close to six yards per carry on the day.

The Dragons have averaged 5.9 yards per play this season, and they are tied for third in the NSIC with 15 touchdowns scored.
 
Scouting Augustana

The Augustana University Vikings (3-0) are coming off of a 24-16 victory against Concordia-St Paul. Led by head coach Jerry Olszewski, the Vikings have had a very strong start to the season, collecting three straight wins to begin the year. Last season Augie, went 3-3 in front of their home crowd, with wins over some great teams: Bemidji State, Northern State and Wayne State.

Offensively for the Vikings they come into this game with the sixth ranked offense in the NSIC, averaging 407.7 yards per game. They have a balanced offensive attack, averaging 258.7 passing yards per game, while also averaging 149.0 yards per game on the ground. Their passing attack is led by senior quarterback Casey Bauman. Over the first three games, he has completed 62.6 percent of his passes for a total of 760 yards. He has thrown six touchdowns while also throwing four interceptions. His last game against Concordia-St Paul was arguably his best of the season, throwing for three touchdowns and a total of 243 yards and a pick.

The receiving core for the Vikings is very experienced, with their top five targets all being upperclassmen. Junior wide receiver Jack Fisher is their leading receiver, grabbing 12 receptions for 231 yards. That's 19.25 yards per catch, which is good for second on the team. He also has three touchdown catches so far on the season. Senior wide receiver Logan Uttecht and junior wide receiver Canyon Bauer are also names to watch. Uttecht has 135 yards on 10 receptions, and Bauer leads the team with 20.8 yards per catch, and he also has two touchdown grabs.

Augie is good on the ground as well averaging 149 rushing yards per game so far this season. Senior running back Jarod Epperson is their lead back with 140 yards on 31 attempts and a touchdown. Epperson is also a threat receiving the ball out of the backfield. He has eight catches so far, which is good for third on the team. Junior running back Kyle Graham, and sophomore Rashad Lampkin are also names to look out for.

Defensively is really where the Vikings shine. After three games this season, they have the number one ranked defense in the NSIC. They have only allowed 76.3 yards per game and one touchdown on the ground. Meanwhile, through the air, opponents have only managed 165 yards per game against them. Junior defensive back Peyton Buckley leads the Vikings in tackles with 20, two of which being tackles for loss. He has forced a fumble and also leads the team with three pass breakups. Senior Brayden Hoops leads the second level of the defense with 16 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and adding a breakup as well from his linebacker spot. Sophomore defensive linemen Gradee Sherman has a big presence on the Viking defensive line, he leads the team in sacks with three quarterback takedowns, and he has totaled 10 tackles as well. 

The Vikings defense has only allowed 26 total points combined in their three games so far this season.
 
More About the Dragons
 
Spectacularly SPECIAL Streak

On special teams early this season, the Dragons have taken advantage of every opportunity they have been given and then some. The Dragons kick return unit currently leads the NSIC in average yards per return, with an incredible 31.6 yard average. This is a testament to the whole kick return unit, as well as the Dragons' return men, junior Cody Sorenson and redshirt freshman Louis Sobiech. Sorenson is averaging a whopping 38.5 yards per return on four attempts, and Sobiech is averaging 24.0 per return on three attempts. A couple weeks after MSUM's special teams blocked a punt that was recovered in the end zone for a touchdown, they hope this unit finds success again against Augie. 

Third Downs Will Prove the Difference

As in every football game, a team's success on third down will determine whether they are able to maintain drives or not. Against a defense like Augustana, who only allows 241 yards per game, maintaining and cashing in drives will be the key to the Dragons coming out of Sioux Falls with a win. Through the first three games of the season, the Dragons have converted on 50 percent of their third down attempts. Meanwhile the Augustana defense has held their opponents to a 28 percent conversion rate. This will definitely be a battle to keep your eye on during the game.

Series History

Last time around the Vikings got the better of the Dragons 31-7 last year in Moorhead, so the Dragons will be looking for a better result this time around.

Last five matchups:
2022 - 7-31 L (In Moorhead)
2021 – 17-43 L (In Sioux Falls)
2019 – 3-48 L (In Moorhead)
2017 – 38-7 W (In Sioux Falls)
2015 – 35-34 W (In Moorhead)