Minnesota Duluth extinguishes Augustana football's playoff hopes
Augustana’s slim playoff hopes were officially put to rest Saturday with a 34-24 loss to Minnesota Duluth in the home finale at Jim Heinitz Field. With the loss, the Vikings fall to 6-4, while the Bulldogs remain in the postseason picture at 7-3.
UMD controlled the action for most of the day by converting when in scoring position. Each team scored once in each of the first three quarters, but the Vikings’ scores were three Brady Pfeifer field goals (one of which was a 50-yarder), while UMD’s scores were all touchdowns to make it 21-9 after three.
The Bulldogs pushed it to 27-9 on a 6-yard Kyle Walljasper touchdown pass early in the fourth, and while the Vikings would get a pair of touchdown passes in the fourth from Thomas Scholten, it wasn’t enough to get back in it.
Walljasper had a big day for the Bulldogs, completing 15-of-20 throws for 207 yards and four touchdowns while adding a game-high 81 rushing yards. Two of his touchdown passes were to tight end Zach Ojile. Brady Herbst had two of Duluth’s six sacks on the day.
Scholten went 12-of-25 for 128 yards and two scores for the Vikings, who were held to 32 net yards rushing. Devon Jones had nine catches for 68 yards and a touchdown. Casey Bauman started at quarterback for the Vikings and went 6-of-10 for 37 yards. TJ Ligget had nine tackles to lead the Viking defense.
The Bulldogs will close out the season next week against Northern State at Dacotah Bank Stadium, needing a win to remain in the playoff picture. The Vikings will finish up at Southwest Minnesota State.
This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Augustana football loses to Minnesota Duluth, eliminated from playoffs
