Augustana Football Holds Off Carthage in Defensive Battle, 16-13
In a defensive battle, the Augustana Vikings football team defeated the Carthage Firebirds with a score of 16-13. Tim Swaney, senior linebacker for Augustana, played a pivotal role in the victory, recording a game-leading 16 tackles, 11 of which were solo tackles. Swaney’s presence and leadership were crucial to the Vikings’ success.
Although it was not their best performance, the Vikings’ defense played exceptionally well, limiting Carthage to only 242 yards of offense on 83 plays. The Vikings’ strategy of forcing Carthage to rely on their quarterback worked in their favor, as Bryce Lowe completed only 24 of 52 passes for 198 yards and one touchdown. The Vikings’ offense also struggled, finishing with 317 yards on 61 plays. Quarterback Cole Bhardwaj completed just 13 of 26 passes.
Despite the offensive struggles, the Vikings managed to pull off a game-winning drive in the fourth quarter. Trailing 13-9, the Vikings scored a touchdown with the help of Ty Rivelli’s strong running game. Rivelli rushed for 145 yards on 16 carries and scored a 58-yard touchdown in the third quarter. Mike DiGioia contributed 33 yards on seven carries.
The victory keeps the Vikings tied for second place in the CCIW standings with Wheaton. Next week, they will face off against reigning NCAA Div. III national champion North Central for the CCIW title. North Central remains undefeated with a record of 9-0.
