By Con Marshall BOX SCORE
The Augustana Vikings cashed in on three extra long touchdown plays and put the clamps on the Chadron State offense much of the time while winning a 27-3 non-conference decision in Chadron on Saturday afternoon.
Quarterback Casey Bauman connected on touchdown passes of 80 yards to Jack Fisher and 60 yards to Canyon Bauer just 2 ½ minutes apart in the first quarter after both receivers got open behind the Eagles’ defense.
In addition, the Vikings’ Devon Jones ran through a host of would-be tacklers while returning a punt 89 yards early in the fourth quarter that sealed the verdict.
Augustana also scored on a one-yard plunge by Jarod Epperson to cap an 11-play, 88-yard drive a midway through the third period.
Chadron State’s only points came on a 45-yard field goal by Wilson Yee on the last play of the first half after quarterback Heath Beemiller had completed four passes for perhaps the Eagles’ best drive.
Led by the 6-foot-7 Bauman’s 15 completions in 30 attempts for 291 yards the Vikings finished with 400 yards in total offense. Chadron State managed just 214 yards, most of them through the air as Beemiller completed 19 of 26 passes for 152 yards.
Both defenses limited the damage that was done by the opponent’s rushing attacks.
Augustana ran the ball 31 times for 97 yards, paced by Rashad Lampkin’s nine carries for 44 yards, one of them a 26-yard jaunt.
Chadron State managed to only 47 yards on 30 rushes. Alternate quarterback Preston Pearson led the Eagles on the ground with 14 carries for 41 yards. CSC was just two of 16 on third down conversions and punted 11 times.
Augustana was four of 11 on third downs attempts, and punted five times. Both Chadron State’s Bodie Eisenbaum, who delivered 10 punts, and the Vikings’ Avery Book, who did all of his team’s punting, averaged more than 43 yards.
Bolstered by his 80-yard TD reception, Fisher was the game’s leading receiver with four catches for 122 yards. Bauer also caught an 11-yard toss to go with his 60-yard score. Freshman Rolliin George led CSC in receiving with five for 44 yards.
Augustana’s Jones also returned a punt 85 yards the previous Saturday during his team’s 38-7 win over the University of Mary.
The star of the game defensively was Chadron State safety Dax Yeradi, who intercepted three passes and took part in six tackles. Eagles’ linebackers Reed Henkel and Joey Geil were the busiest tacklers with 10 and eight, respectively.
Both linebacker Kade Lynott and back Peyton Buckley had seven tackles for Augustana while sophomore lineman Gradee Sherman was credited with all three of the Vikings’ quarterback sacks that cost the Eagles 19 yards of offense.
AUÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â CSC
First Downs                     17                       13
Total Net Yards              400                     214
Rushes, Yards                 31-97                  30-47
Passing Yards                  303                     167
Passing                             16-32-3              23-34-1
Return Yards                   110                        17     Â
Punts, Average               5-43.2                11-41.6
Fumbles, Lost                  0-0                      1-1
Penalties, Yards              4-40                    9-60
Augustana 14 0 6 7 —27
Chadron State 0 3 0 0 —-3
Aug—Jack Fisher 80 pass from Casey Bauman (Jake Pecina kick)
Aug—Canyon Bauer 60 pass from Bauman (Pecina kick)
CSC—Wilson Yee 45 field goal.
Aug—Jarod Epperson 1 run (kick failed)
Aug.—Devon Jones 89 punt return (Pecina kick)