Northern State at Augustana football: Vikings look to stay unbeaten; Wolves 'want this one the most'
Matt Zimmer
Mike Schmidt knew the task when he took over as head coach of the Northern State football program in 2020.
The Wolves had been a solid program, typically competitive in the NSIC, especially in the North Division. But against top tier teams like MSU-Mankato, Duluth and in-state peers USF and Augustana, NSU usually didn’t measure up.
That’s already started to change under Schmidt.
The Wolves went 7-4 last year, which included a 41-10 rout over USF in Aberdeen, and an overtime loss to Mankato.
Last week, NSU was coming off a frustrating loss to Wayne State, which made it all the more stunning when they leapt out to a 23-0 lead on Mankato, and held off a late rally to escape with a 23-22 win over the 24th-ranked Mavericks.
Now the Wolves are coming to Sioux Falls to take on Augustana, the reigning NSIC champs and the 13th-ranked team in Division II. The undefeated Vikings have won 12 straight games against Northern State and 22 of the last 23, with only a slip-up in 2003 in Aberdeen.
Saturday's game kicks off at 1 p.m. at Jim Heinitz Field.
“This is probably the game our players want the most,” Schmidt said of playing the Vikings. “Mankato was a huge win for our program. Last year they really wanted that win over USF, and now they really want this one right now. This needs to mean more because of the in-state nature of it. I don’t have to hype it up or say anything, these are the games our guys want to be in and want to win.”
The Vikings may not be taking this one as personally as the Wolves apparently are, but that doesn’t mean they’re not excited for it, or that they’re going to overlook a Wolves team that last beat them before some of them were even born.
“It starts with the fact that they’re a good football team playing good football,” said Augustana coach Jerry Olszewksi. “What Coach Schmidt says to his team to motivate them is up to him and that’s great. We look at them as a quality opponent that’s in our way. It’s going to be a great atmosphere and a good game, and that revs me up, too.”
The Wolves had an explosive offense and suspect defense last year, but that hasn’t been the recipe yet this year. Boosted by a handful of transfers, the NSU defense is tops in the NSIC in points allowed (11.7) and second in total defense (232.0) while their offense ranks in the bottom half.
Last week they got a boost from quarterback Will Madler, who came on after Michael Bonds was benched. Madler rushed for 51 yards and a touchdown and while he completed only 9-of-28 throws, Schmidt credited him with giving the team a spark by throwing the ball downfield, such as on his 26-yard touchdown pass to Wyatt Block, which gave the Wolves a 20-0 lead.
“We could see both quarterbacks, but we’re gonna ride with Will right now,” Schmidt said. “When someone steps up and the team rallies around them you’ve got to play that guy.”
The Vikings have a quarterback situation of their own.
Casey Bauman, a transfer from Montana State, won the job in camp and displayed his athleticism as a runner but struggled as a passer before suffering an injury to his non-throwing shoulder. Thomas Scholten stepped in and parts of two games has completed 63 percent of his throws for 462 yards and four touchdowns.
Schmidt said he’s expecting Bauman to return, but the Wolves are preparing for both quarterbacks, which is probably a good idea. Olszewski wouldn’t name a starter publicly, but indicated Scholten’s strong play and Bauman’s unique skill set has them considering playing both.
“I don’t think there’s much of a controversy,” the coach said. “They make each other better and they have a healthy relationship. I’m not even concerned about it because I think they complement each other. I like where we’re at in that room.”
Whoever is under center, the Vikings offense will lean most heavily on its ground game, where Jarod Epperson has 307 yards and a 6.7 yards per carry average, with David Addo contributing 164 yards.
Defensively, the Vikings are once again hanging their hat on their run defense. They ranked No. 1 in the nation in that department last year, and are No. 2 in the conference so far this year at 36.3 yards per game allowed.
Will the Wolves challenge that Viking front seven and try to establish dominance on the line of scrimmage?
“Hell no,” Schmidt said with a laugh. “We’re not stupid, they’re as good as it gets. We’ll have to run the ball in some fashion but what does that mean? On the perimeter, in the screen game or just using high-percentage throws when we need to run clock – we have to find a variety of ways to get our tailbacks different looks.”
NORTHERN STATE (2-1) AT AUGUSTANA (3-0)
WHEN/WHERE: 1 p.m. Saturday at Jim Heinitz Field
TV: KELOXTRA
RADIO: KIKN-FM 100.1; KGIM-AM 1420
ONLINE: NSIC Network
COACHES: NSU – Mike Schmidt (3rd year, 9-5); AU – Jerry Olszewski (10th year, 59-35)
SERIES: Vikings lead 31-6-1
LAST TIME: Augustana won 42-21 in 2018 in Aberdeen
LAST WEEK: NSU beat MSU-Mankato 23-22; Augustana beat MSU-Moorhead 31-7
RANKINGS: Augustana is ranked No. 13 in the Division II poll