UMD Athletics

The No. 19 University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs Football Team pulled out a 30-23 win against the No. 16 Augustana Vikings in a game that would see the final 3:24 played out nearly one and a half hours later due to a severe weather delay. Both the Bulldogs and Vikings now sit at a 1-1 record.

"I'm really proud of the way our guys played tonight," said head coach Curt Wiese, "but I really appreciate Augustana and coach Olszewski for deciding to come back and play out the final three minutes of the game. They are a very good team and played a very tough game, and it's hard to lose a game like that, but a lot of respect goes out to them."

The Vikings got out to a hot start, getting out of two third down scenarios, ending back-to-back Klayton Sattler passes, with a touchdown sealing the drive to put Augustana up 7-0 on the first drive. UMD would get to midfield on their opening drive, but were forced to punt following a sack by Joshua Lee-O'Bryant.

Augustana kept the pressure on during the following drive, with a long return from National Special Teams Player of the Week Neal May. Then, Braylon Blount broke a 57-yard touchdown run to put the Bulldogs down 14 points.

The Bulldogs offense couldn't find their footing yet on the second drive, with an illegal touching penalty ending the drive on a three-and-out. On Augustana's next drive, UMD would deliver a one-two punch on defense. David Gauderman and Ean Ackley would combine for a sack, followed with a Jonathan Shrum interception to get the first stop of the game.

On the following drive, Ben Fritsch looked to put the first points on the board for the Bulldogs on a 40-yard reception, but a penalty would take it all back. The drive would end in the start of the second quarter with a 39-yard field goal from Drew Henson to make it 14-3.

The Vikings first second-quarter drive ended at midfield, and the Bulldogs responded with three big passes to Peyton Menzel, Adam Poncelet, and Nick Ojile, followed by an Ojile touchdown bringing UMD within four. On the last drive of the half, Augustana threatened the endzone with a bomb sent to Cody Oswald, but a Mark Rendl sack would send them 11-yards back, holding the Vikings down and forcing a field goal to make it 17-10 Augustana at the end of the first half.

The Bulldogs offense raced down the field in the first drive of the second half, anchored by two big runs from Derrick Johnson, but an untimely fumble within the 10 caused UMD to get no points on the drive. The Vikings didn't get anywhere after the turnover, with Jayce Walrath forcing a fumble on QB pressure.

After back-to-back stops from both the Vikings and Bulldogs, UMD would get to the goal line by land from runs by Derrick Johnson, Ryder Patterson, and Austin Randall. Now in the fourth quarter, Jacob Eggert's goal line drive got the Bulldogs within one, but a missed extra point would stop UMD from tying.

The Bulldogs nearly stopped the Vikings for the third time this half, but a costly Sideline Interference penalty would keep Augustana drive alive, ending in a field goal to bring the lead back to four for the Vikings.

Derrick Johnson starred yet again for the Bulldogs, with 23-yard and 20-yard rushes bringing UMD down the field, capped off by another Jacob Eggert touchdown. However, another missed extra point, this time off of a block, gave the Bulldogs only a two-point lead. 

Augustana, determined to retake the lead, would march down the field, with a 30-yard pass to Klayton Sattler getting the Vikings within field goal range, where they would retake the lead 23-22.

After a long rain delay, both teams returned to the field. The Bulldogs moved slowly down the field, aided by a targeting call against Jermaine Hampton Jr.. Then, Austin Randall would take over, with a crucial run to get a first down. Then, he found the endzone on an 11-yard rush, retaking the lead for UMD. Fritsch would then dazzle on the two-point conversion, completing the pass to Nick Ojile to grow the lead to seven.

The Vikings moved down the field on their final drive quickly. With thirty seconds to go, Augustana got all the way to the Bulldogs 27-yard line, but came up short on the final pass.

Bulldog Notes:

• This is the Bulldogs first win against Augustana since 2022, and improves to 13-3 all-time against the Vikings (9-1 at home).

• The Vikings and Bulldogs were fairly even on yardage, with the Vikings slightly outgaining the Bulldogs 400-369.

• Jacob Eggert completed 22 of 28 passes and threw for 205 yards with a touchdown pass.

• Derrick Johnson had another strong showing for UMD, rushing for 123 yards on 16 carries for 7.6 yards per carry.

• Four Bulldogs each had a sack, including David Gauderman, Jayce Walrath, Mark Rendl, and Allen Pearson Jr.

The Bulldogs will take to the road for their Week 2 matchup against Wayne State in Nebraska. Kickoff is set for 1:00p.m. on Saturday, September 12th.