MOORHEAD, Minn. -- MSU Moorhead football hosts an NSIC foe in week four of the 2024 college football season. The 18th-ranked Augustana Vikings will come to Moorhead this weekend for a Saturday afternoon bout with kickoff at noon at SCHEELS Field at Nemzek Stadium.

Live stats and video are available at msumdragons.com. Fans can also listen live on AM 1100/FM 92.3 with Jace Denman and 'Big Game' James McCarty on the call. 
 
Bounce Back

The Dragons (1-2, 1-1 NSIC), dropped a tough non-conference game against the McKendree Bearcats, 22-15. McKendree had a big second quarter where they scored 16 points, aided by Dragon turnovers and MSUM couldn't overcome the deficit in the second half. The Dragons were also not very efficient on fourth down, only converting on 25 percent of attempts (4 of 16). The Dragons lost the turnover battle (4-2) and this is something they will look to correct against the Vikings this week.

The Dragons are led by 14th-year head coach Steve Laqua.

Big Game Dragons?

Only two weeks ago, the Dragons went up against a nationally ranked team in the Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs, and went into Duluth and won, 30-29. The Dragons will hope to subject the 18th-ranked Vikings to the same result on Saturday at Nemzek Stadium. Jack Strand threw for 418 yards against Minnesota Duluth, and it might take another heroic effort like that one to take down the Vikings.

Defense Tightening Up

The defense had a pretty solid day at the office last week, forcing two turnovers and eight punts on the day. The Bearcatsonly managed 3.4 yards per rush on the ground against the Dragons. MSUM held McKendree scoreless in the second half of last weeks matchup. They also held them to 6-of-18 on third downs, and forced a turnover on downs as well.

G-Flo Stays Hot

Junior wide receiver Gage Florence was once again consistently great for the Dragons last week. He snagged 12 receptions for just over the century mark in yards, totaling 102. He has been Jack Strand's favorite target so far this season, hauling in a team-leading 29 catches through the first three games. He also leads his squad in reception yards, totaling 276 yards or 92 per game.

Elbert to the Endzone

Junior wide receiver Carson Elbert caught his first touchdown pass as a Dragon last week against McKendree. He has been involved in the offense so far this season, grabbing nine catches for 105 yards and a touchdown. He will look to continue making his mark on this Dragon passing attack. 

Backfield Weapons

Dragon running backs Fynn Ridgeway and Luke Imdieke combined for eight receptions against the Bearcats, going for a solid 81 yards out of the backfield. Ridgeway had an explosive play as well, making a catch and getting upfield for a gain of 28 yards. The eight catches last week brought the total receptions for Dragon running backs to 20 this season.

Gustafson Getting It Done

Tate Gustafson made seven tackles, one tackle for loss, and snagged an interception against the Bearcats. The Fargo native linebacker in his junior season for the Dragons was flying around the field last week for the Dragons defense. He is currently third on the Dragons in tackles with 18, behind fellow linebackers Josiah Behm and Jack Bungarden, who each have 20 takedowns.

Big Christmas Causing Chaos

Senior defensive end Justice Noel didn't get a sack last week, but he was in the backfield on the regular. He tallied two quarterback hurries against the Bearcats, as well as two tackles and a tackle for loss. He has been a good piece on the Dragon defensive line so far, grabbing one sack and two tackles for loss so far this season.
 
Scouting Augustana

The 18th-ranked Vikings (2-1, 2-0 NSIC), have looked fantastic so far this season. They have a loss on their resume, but that is only because they played NCAA Division I FCS national champion South Dakota State in week two. Even with the gap in competition, the Vikings fought valiantly and held the Jackrabbits to 24 points and only were defeated 24-3. They have looked dominant in their two NSIC matchups so far, upending U-Mary on the road (35-13) and putting Northern State away (41-7) last week. 

The Vikings do a lot of things well, but at the top of the list is their defense. They are eighth in the nation, recording 3.7 sacks per game. As a result of this pass rush, they have held opponents to only 161 yards through the air each game. If the Dragons want to upset the Vikings this week, this is something they will have to find a way to get around. Their offense is also electric with sophomore quarterback Gunnar Hensley showing out last week against Northern State. He threw for 358 yards, completing 28 of 35 attempts, and hitting for four touchdowns. Senior wide receiver Jack Fischer was his favorite target, hauling in six catches for 105 yards and two touchdowns. 

The Vikings are guided by 12th-year head coach Jerry Olszewski.
 
Last Time Around

Last year in Sioux Falls the Dragons hung around with the vaunted Vikings, but didn't come out with the victory as Augustana won 31-27. Jack Strand threw for 366 yards and three touchdown in the game, but it wasn't quite enough. That was the Vikings fourth straight win over the Dragons as MSUM is 2-7 against Augustana all time.

Matchup History

2023 – 27-31 L (In Sioux Falls)
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)