SIOUX FALLS – Augustana kept its winning streak going while snapping the one Northern State had on Saturday afternoon.
The unbeaten, fifth-rated Vikings won their ninth straight game in a 27-14 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference football win over the Wolves, who lost for the first time in their past four games.
“It wasn’t our day. Tip of the cap to Augie. They played a really good game and put a lot of pressure on us,” said Northern coach Mike Schmidt. “We didn’t have our best game and a lot of that was due to how good Augie is. I’m really proud of our effort, but we didn’t have enough today to beat a good team.”
Augustana struck first with a field goal in the opening quarter. The Vikings then added a touchdown and another field goal for a 13-0 lead before the Wolves got on the scoreboard. Daniel Britt threw a 30-yard touchdown pass to DJ Smith with just over three minutes left in the half to cut the margin to 13-7 at the break.
The Vikings then tacked on touchdowns in the third and fourth quarters for a commanding 27-7 advantage. Northern scored the game’s final TD when Brock Bagozzi tossed an 18-yard pass to Richard Prescott in the closing minutes.
The Wolves were able to hold Augustana under its season average for points, but it wasn’t enough.
“Our defense played with a lot of guts,” Schmidt said. “We’re down so many players and for them to stand toe-to-toe and keep us in that game for much of it, I was really proud of them.”
Javonnee Szymanski led the Wolves with 13 tackles and Cooper Logan added 11.
While Northern held Augie below its scoring average, the Vikings did the same thing to the Wolves.
Bagozzi passed for 95 yards and Britt threw for 81 yards. Wyatt Block led the ground game with 78 yards.
“We never could find our footing on offense,” Schmidt said. “Both quarterbacks were uncomfortable throughout the game and we couldn’t get the run game going like we have.”
Schmidt said the Wolves still have “an outside chance” to make the playoffs, but Saturday’s loss made things much more difficult.
Northern, 6-3 on the season, hosts Minot State on Saturday in the final home game at Dacotah Bank Stadium this season.
“The message to the guys was simple: finish. We have to finish this season,” Schmidt said. “While we’re disappointed about this game and probably will be forever, we have to finish. We’re going to get back up and send our seniors out the right away next weekend at Dacotah Bank Stadium.”
To see a complete box score, click on the following link:
https://nsuwolves.com/sports/football/stats/2025/augustana-university/boxscore/13994
