Epperson sprints to the top of the record books as the Vikings shut out Winona State

©2024 Peyton Bartsch

Match Review: Football | Oct 19, 2024 5:11:00 p.m | Andy Thurston, Augustana Athletics Communications

SIOUX FALLS, SD – Jarod Epperson became the all-time leader in rushing yards as a head coach Jerry Olszewski tied Jim Heinitz for the top spot on the all-time wins list as Augustana defeated Winona State 31-0 on Saturday afternoon at Kirkeby-Over Stadium.

The Vikings finished the day 5-2 overall and 5-1 in the NSIC, while the Warriors fell 3-4, 3-3.

Epperson finished the day with 118 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries, passing Joe Clark atop the all-time rushing list. What’s most notable about the record is that he did this on 130 fewer carries than Clark, increasing his career yards per carry to 5.9 over the course of 46 games.

His name was also engraved in the record books Jake Pecina. The sophomore kicker from Forney, Texas, hit a 54-yard field goal with no time remaining in the first half, tying Lucas Wainman for the longest field goal in program history. At Olszewski, he is one of three coaches to win at least 75 games and is now tied with Heinitz with 79 Augustana wins. His winning percentage of .648 is already at the top of the record books.

The defense posted its first shutout of the season as it collected six tackles for loss, six pass breakups, four sacks and one interception in a team performance. Kade Lynott led the way with 10 tackles and 0.5 tackles for loss Haden Wallace had eight tackles, one sack and 1.5 tackles for loss. Logan Leonard had the only interception during Peyton Buckley Once again he flooded the field with five tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss, a sack and a pass breakup.

In the early stages, the defense set the tone. After allowing a first down on the second play from scrimmage, Lynott was stopped at the line of scrimmage and Buckley followed with a sack to stop the WSU offense and force a punt. The offense picked up from there as Epperson totaled 48 yards on a seven-play, 62-yard touchdown drive that ended with him reaching the end zone, giving the Vikings a 7-0 lead with 8:03 to play in the first quarter took the lead.

The Warriors were able to move the ball on their second drive, taking 6:51 to reach the AU 29 before a missed field goal kept them off the field. After two punts early in the second quarter, WSU appeared to be in prime position after a blocked punt gave them the ball at the Viking 28. Three plays later Isaiah Ryan caught a pass that reached the arms of Leonard at the AU 2 to change possession.

After an incomplete pass opened the drive, Gunnar Hensley found Isaiah Huber for five yards to give the Vikings some room for a third and five yards. The field turned around on the next play as Hensley and Jack Fisher He hit a catch-and-run for 85 yards, setting up AU inside the 10. Epperson finished off the ball and set AU up for two before a hard two-yard run broke the goal line, doubling the Viking lead to 14-0.

The teams exchanged punts before the Warriors used the final 1:51 of game time to prepare for a 45-yard field goal attempt. The Vikings ended the threat when Zach Richardson got a mitt and set up a block return.

Ryan grabbed the ball at the Viking 7 before taking it 22 yards. He managed to get a pitch to Buckley that made it to the WSU 47 with no time remaining. With the laundry on the field, the referees called a face mask drawn by Ryan, giving the Vikings an untimed down at the Warrior 32. A delay of game moved the attempt five yards back before Pecina’s record-setting kick sent AU to the locker room with a 17-0 lead.

The Vikings got the kickoff in the second half and got right back to work. After a quick win by Hensley, Epperson rewrote the record books with a 35-yard carry that put the Vikings on WSU’s side. On third-and-7 from the WSU 42 two plays later, Huber took a Hensley pass 27 yards to keep the sticks moving and get the Vikings into the red zone. After a two-yard run and a sack, AU gave up a third-and-20, Austin Johnston came free in the middle of the field and Hensley found him to extend the lead to 24-0.

Two punts and a missed field goal by Warrior gave the Vikings the ball with 4:46 left in the third quarter and set up the final scoring drive of the game. Huber started with an eight-yard rush before Epperson strung together runs of five, four and eight for a pair of first downs. Hensley followed with a 22-yard run and Huber added a 15-yard run to destroy the defense. After the six consecutive runs Jacob Remmert Racing down the right sideline, Hensley hit him for an 18-yard touchdown, the first of Remmert’s career, tying the game.

The Vikings now look ahead to a battle of the league’s best as they face Minnesota State on October 26 in Mankato, Minnesota. Kick-off is scheduled for 1:00 p.m

–GoAugie.com–