How to watch Mankato at Augustana University college football game
MSU-MANKATO (5-2) AT AUGUSTANA (6-1)
WHEN/WHERE: 1 p.m. Saturday at Jim Heinitz Field
TV: KELOXTRA
STREAMING: NSIC Network
RADIO: KIKN-FM 100.1
COACHES: MSU – Todd Hoffner (13th year, 117-29); AU – Jerry Olszeski (10th year, 62-36)
SERIES: MSU leads 27-24
LAST TIME: Augie won 45-35 last year in Mankato
LAST WEEK: Mankato beat Upper Iowa 43-20; AU beat Wayne State 31-27
RANKINGS: Augustana is ranked No. 21 in the Division II poll
ABOUT THE MATCHUP: The Vikings snapped a nine-game losing streak to Mankato with last year’s win, which not only allowed them to eventually claim the NSIC title, but ended a frustrating string of close-but-no-cigar losses to the Mavericks, who spent much of the previous decade as the dominant program in the region.
The Mavs won eight of nine NSIC titles between 2011 and 2019, which included five seasons of 13 or more wins and two 14-win seasons that ended with national runner-up finishes. The Mavs lost only three NSIC games between 2012 and 2019.
More:How to watch University of Sioux Falls at Winona State college football
They appeared to take a step back last year, however, going just 6-5, and this year’s team, while 6-5, has already lost to Northern State and Wayne State, and now finds itself fighting for its playoff chances against the Vikings.
The Maverick defense allows 24.4 points per game, and its previously dominant rushing attack is a mere seventh in the conference at 163 yard per game. As they often do, MSU plays two quarterbacks, with Camden Dean and Hayden Ekern splitting duties. Nyles Williams is their top target.
The Vikings are coming off a dramatic homecoming win in which they knocked off a previously 5-1 Wayne State team with a last-second touchdown pass from Casey Bauman to Logan Uttecht.
Augie is fifth in the league in total offense and sixth in total defense. Bauman has thrown for 597 yards and nine touchdowns, while David Addo has rushed for 394 yards in place of the injured Jarrod Epperson. Uttecht, Devon Jones, Jack Fisher and Mitchell Goodbary all have at least 15 catches.
The Viking defense has been led by T.J. Liggett (50 tackles), Peyton Buckley (41 tackles, two interceptions), Eli Weber (three interceptions, 35 tackles) and Grayson Diepenbrock, who has eight sacks and has forced three fumbles.
This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: How to watch Mankato at Augustana University college football
