SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Augustana University forced five turnovers and used a balanced offensive attack to earn a 45-0 victory over Southwest Minnesota State in NSIC football on Saturday afternoon at Kirkeby-Over Stadium.
AU improves to 6-2 overall, 5-2 NSIC, which earning its second straight victory via shutout. The Vikings defense has not allowed a point in 10 straight quarters in pushing its win streak to three in a row.
SMSU dropped its seventh straight and is now 1-7 overall, 0-7 NSIC.
AU quarterback Gunnar Hensley finished the game passing for 244 yards and two touchdowns, while completing 18 of 23 pass attempts. Breylon Blount led the Vikings rushing attack with a game-high 71 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries.
AU, which entered the game ranking ninth in the country in scoring offense and sixth in total offense, closed the contest with 405 yards of offense with 20 first downs.
SMSU closed the game with 17 first downs, while amassing 309 yards of total offense with 151 on the ground.
AU finished converting 5 of 10 on third-down tries, while SMSU was held to just 2 of 11 on third-down conversions and was also just 2 of 5 on fourth-down conversion attempts.
Tommy Hoffman led the SMSU offense rushing for a team-high 53 yards on 13 carries, while completing 11 of 15 passes for 138 yards with one interception.
Drew Kluender completed 5 of 11 passes for 20 yards with one interception.
Emmanuel Diers added 38 yards rushing on eight attempts for the Mustangs.
Cooper Murphy,
Zoan Robinson and
Tryg Auten each caught three passes to pace SMSU.
Jaylen Davis and
Brody Willis each had six tackles for the Mustangs, while
Avery Johnson and
Jack Meier both recorded a sack.
The Vikings, which ranked fifth in the country in third-down conversion percentage entering the game, picked up two key third downs conversions on its opening drive before Sattler tossed a 3-yard touchdown pass to Klayton Sattler with 10:51 left in the opening quarter.
Following an interception that ended SMSU's first drive of the game, AU would drive to the SMSU 20-yard on its next drive but would miss a 37-yard field goal.
After the missed field goal, SMSU put together a solid drive, moving 68 yards in 11 plays, but a fumble at the AU 12-yard ended the SMSU scoring threat.
The Vikings countered with an 88-yard drive with Blount breaking free for a 6-yard touchdown run to extend the lead to 14-0 midway through the second quarter.
Following a three-and-out by the SMSU offense, AU would add to the lead with Sattler tossing a 1-yard touchdown pass to Sattler with 3:25 left in the half.
SMSU threatened on its final drive of the half, moving the ball to the AU 21-yard line, but a holding penalty and sack, stalled the drive which ended via a turnover on downs.
AU took advantage of turnovers and strong defense in the second half to start five offensive drives inside the SMSU 41-yard line.
AU has now defeated SMSU 11 straight times and is now 26-3 all-time.
SMSU returns home next Saturday, Oct. 31, taking on nationally ranked and conference leading Minnesota State with kickoff slated for 12 p.m. at The Schwan Regional Event Center.
