An Augustana touchdown with just over three minutes left in the fourth quarter earned the Vikings a 38-35 victory over the Mustangs on Saturday, November 10.
Despite an opportunity to tie the game with 10 seconds left in the game, Lance Schuveiller’s field goal attempt fell short.
The Mustangs were led by Tyler Peschong, who completed 23 of 41 passes for 271 yards and a season-high four touchdown passes. Gannon Moore rushed for 72 yards on 15 carries. Warren Matthews rushed for 68 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries, in addition to catching three passes for 34 yards and a touchdown. As a team, the SMSU offense recorded 25 first downs and 427 yards.
The Vikings started the game off by taking the opening kickoff and moving the ball 65 yards to take a 7-0 lead.
Peschong was intercepted on the Mustangs’ first play. The pass was returned for 10 yards, putting the Vikings at the Mustang 30-yard line. Four plays later, the Vikings landed in the endzone, giving them a 14-0 lead.
Early in the second quarter, the Mustangs cut the deficit in half by returning an Augie punt to the Viking 43-yard line. Matthews brought the ball in for a 4-yard touchdown with just over 14 minutes left in the quarter.
Two plays later, the Vikings responded with a touchdown of their own, building a 20-7 lead over the Mustangs. However, the Mustangs quickly came back with a touchdown of their own. Peschong connected with Anthony Dean for an 8-yard run into the endzone, tightening the score to 20-14.
Mustang Dan Timm forced and recovered a Viking fumble and gave SMSU the ball at the Augie 40-yard line. With just over five and a half minutes left in the quarter, Peschong connected with Matthews for a 16-yard touchdown, 21-20.
Augustana responded with a 75-yard drive and a 47-yard touchdown, making the score 28-21 after a 2-point conversion.
The Mustangs turned the ball over on their next possession. The Vikings took advantage of the turnover and quickly converted it into a field goal to take a 31-21 halftime lead.
On its opening drive of the first half, the Mustangs punted the ball, followed by a missed Augustana field goal attempt.
After just seven plays, the Mustangs moved the ball 80 yards, followed by a Peschong pass to Tyler Erickson for a touchdown, cutting the scoring deficit to 31-28.
After the Vikings moved the ball to the Mustang 28-yard line, SMSU forced a turnover. After taking over possession at their own 28-yard line, Peshong connected on consecutive passes to Matthews, moving the ball to the Viking 36-yard line. Shortly after, Peschong connected on a 9-yard pass to Dean. With just over 12 minutes left in the fourth quarter, Peschong made a touchdown pass to Cody Condon, giving SMSU a 35-31 lead.
The Mustang defense then proceeded to force the Vikings three-and-out, but did not get a first down on their next drive. SMSU was forced to punt to set up the final Viking drive with just over nine minutes left on the clock.