Box Score

ABERDEEN, S.D. - Augustana College turned three straight fourth-quarter turnovers into touchdowns as the Vikings raced to a 43-7 win over the host Northern State University Wolves in the regular season finale Saturday afternoon at Swisher Field.  All told, Augustana capitalized on four turnovers, including a pair of interceptions and two fourth-quarter fumbles, turning all four miscues into touchdowns despite cold and windy conditions.
    The Wolves spotted the Vikings 13 points to open things up, but regained seven of those points on a 1-yard Eric Ellingson run just before halftime.  The TD run, Ellingson's seventh rushing touchdown of the year, capped a 12-play, 57-yard drive set up by a 15-yard Ericson-to-Brian Jark strike that put the ball at the Augustana 1-yardline.  That score made it a 13-7 game heading into the break.
    The second half, however, belonged almost entirely to the Vikings.  Augustana lost their opening possession on a fumble, but responded defensively to score a safety on the ensuing NSU possession.  A high snap sailed over the quarterback's head, and Ellingson was forced to kick to ball out of the back of the endzone to avoid a Vikings touchdown.
    With the 2-point safety, NSU was then forced to kick-off from its own 20 into a stiff north wind.  The Wolves were flagged on that play for interfering with a fair catch, which, along with a personal foul penalty, set the Vikings up at the Northern State 10-yardline.  Two penalties and seven rushing yards later, the Vikings were in the endzone again to make it a 22-7 game.
    Augustana then capitalized on the NSU miscues in the fourth quarter to pull away with the win.
    The Wolves, who were just 7 of 16 on 3rd down conversions and 1-for-5 on fourth down attempts, were led by senior Tavis Ve'e, who had 18 carries for 37 yards.  Sophomore wide-outs John Michael Migdal and Trent DeLauriers had 32 and 31 yards receiving, respectively.
    Defensively, seniors Chris McClellan and Mike Preciado each had 10 tackles, while McClellan forced a fumble on the Vikings' first drive of the game.  Junior David Alvarez chipped in nine tackles, including NSU's only sack of the day, a 7-yard stuff in the third quarter.
    Augustana sported a dynamic duo in the backfield in fullback Jeremy Huber (14 carries, 125 yards) and halfback Joe Clark (28 carries, 78 yards).  Huber accounted for three of the Vikings' five rushing TDs on the day.
    The loss drops the Wolves to 1-10 overall and 1-9 in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play.  Augustana improved to 7-4 overall and 7-3 in the league.