The Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs had a huge win against the Augustana Vikings, as the final decision was 34-24. The win now gives UMD an overall record of 7-3 and leaves the Vikings with a 6-4 record. 

"Another great team win," said head coach Curt Wiese. " All three phases of the game stepped up and played a complete game. We have wanted all year to make sure the last game gives us an opportunity and we hope it will."

The Bulldogs had a strong first quarter. As the UMD defense pushed Augustana back to a fourth down and 21 situation, they were forced to punt. After an 11 yard return on the punt, the Bulldogs started their drive at the UMD34. On the fourth play of the drive Kyle Walljasper made a deep pass to Armani Carmickle for 55 yards and a touchdown. With a good kick attempt by Curtis Cox the Bulldogs started the game with a 7-0 lead. The Vikings responded back on their next drive with a field goal to close the gap 7-3 at the end of the first quarter.

As UMD had possession to start the second quarter. They made a drive for 40 yards in seven plays. Walljasper made a 14 yard touchdown pass to Zach Ojile to give the Bulldogs another touchdown. Cox made another good kick attempt and extended UMD's lead to 14-3. On Augustana's following drive, they worked to move the ball down the field, but UMD's defense put up a fight. In nine plays, the Vikings were at the UMD33 and looking to shorten the Bulldogs lead, they went for a field goal attempt. Augustana made a 50 yard field goal to put them at 14-6 at the end of the first half. 

As UMD was receiving the ball on the kickoff in the second half, Tim Pokornowski returned it for 16 yards. Looking for a third-down conversion, Walljasper made a deep 21 yard pass completion to Kurtis Weigand for a crucial first down at the AUG44. As the Bulldogs had only moved the ball three yards and were on their third down, they looked to get another first down. Walljasper sent another deep pass completion to Wade Sullivan for 16 yards and first down at the AUG25. Walljasper followed that up with another deep 20 yard pass completion to Weigand to place them just four yards to the end zone. To give the Bulldogs another touchdown, Ojile scored for the second time and Cox was successful on the extra point. UMD then found themselves with a 21-6 lead over the Vikings. Augustana was pushing to close the lead again. As the Vikings were at the 15 yard line with a fourth down, they kicked for a good field goal to put the score at 21-9.

UMD entered the fourth quarter with a 12 point lead. As the Vikings were feeling the pressure by the Bulldog defense they were forced to punt. On the punt, Wade Sullivan returned it for 84 yards, placing UMD at the seven yard line. With a rush attempt by Levon Bellemy, UMD moved the ball one yard. Weigand made a six yard touchdown reception for the Bulldogs fourth touchdown of the game. UMD tried for a two-point conversion but were unsuccessful, but still led 27-9. The Vikings responded back with a nine yard drive of 75 yards for touchdown, closing the lead to 27-16. During Augustana's next drive they could not get past UMD's defense. As they were fourth and four they attempted to make a deep pass instead of punt but could connect the pass. The Bulldogs were then set up at the AUG10. Walljasper made a rush for four yards. With just six yards to go, Sullivan made a rush to the end zone and scored the fifth touchdown of the game. Cox went 4-4 on the kick attempt to put UMD at 34-16. Augustana came back on the next drive and scored again to make it a 10 point game with just over two minutes left. The Bulldogs worked to take time off the clock and were forced to punt on their next drive. With 40 seconds left the Vikings attempted a deep pass but Dayvia Gbor intercepted and returned it for six yards to secure the win for the Bulldogs. 

Offensively, UMD played a strong game against the Vikings. The Bulldogs notched 20 first downs and a total of 343 offensive yards. UMD went 8-14 on third down conversions and were 4-5 on red-zone scoring chances. Walljasper tallied 81 rushing yards and 207 passing yards with his longest at 55. To lead UMD in receiving, Weigand totaled 69. Sullivan finished the game with 177 all-purpose yards.  

On the defensive of the game, UMD put up a fight for Augustana. UMD kept the Vikings to just 13 first downs and 207 total yards. Augustana was kept to a third-down conversion rate of 2-13. As the defense made 48 tackles, they were led by Marcus Glodowski who made eight. UMD made six sacks for a loss of 25 yards and one fumble recovery. Gbor made his fourth interception of the season. 

UP NEXT Minnesota Duluth will be on the road for their last game of the season. UMD will kick off against Northern State on Nov. 12 at 1 p.m.