No. 23 Sioux Falls To Battle Augustana In First-Ever “Key to the City” Game

SIOUX FALLS, SD -- After a 26 year wait, No. 23 Sioux Falls (6-1 NSIC, 2-1 NSIC South) will travel just a few blocks to Kirkeby-Over Stadium to battle Augustana College (3-4 NSIC, 1-2 NSIC South) for football bragging rights and a significant NSIC South victory in the first-ever "Key to the City" game.

First and 10
• Saturday's matchup will be the first between USF and Augustana in football since 1986 when the Vikings shutout the Cougars 20-0. Augustana holds a 19-2 series advantage, winning the last 12 meetings. USF's last win was in 1927.
• With a victory over Concordia, USF head coach Jed Stugart picked up his 50th win as a head coach, 24th with the Cougars, and tied David Schroeder for the third-highest win total in school history
• Senior QB Taylor Perkins has thrown one or more TD passes in 11 consecutive games, a period in which USF has gone 9-2.
• This week's matchup features the NSIC's No. 2 scoring offense in Augustana (37.4ppg) vs. the No.2 scoring defense in USF (15.6ppg)
• USF posted a season-low 35 rushing yards last week, which was their lowest total in 23 games dating back to a 7 yard performance on October 6, 2010 (Morningside).
• Since Stugart took over the helm, USF has forced opponents into three or more turnovers 18 times
• In second and long situations, senior RB Kristian Porter is averaging 10.6 yards per carry. He needs just few big plays to hit the 2,000 yard career mark.
• Following a one week hiatus, USF reentered the DII top 25 poll at No. 23 Monday.
• 10 penalties for 101 yards pushed USF's season average to 66.1 penalty yards per game (14th-worst in the NSIC)
• The Cougars lead the nation with 16 interceptions this season.

Week Two Recap (USF vs. CU)
The University of Sioux Falls utilized solid second half defense and an effective passing attack to hold on for a 31-23 victory over Concordia University Saturday night at Bob Young Field. Taylor Perkins recorded 305 yards and 4 TD, while cornerback John Tidwell had a big day on defense with two interceptions including one on the Golden Bears final drive.

USF held a 21-13 advantage at the break.

Just when they looked out of it, CU went deep into the playbook for a fake punt. Tom Obarski picked up 18 yards on fourth down plus a late hit penalty to move into USF territory. Obarski completed the drive with a 52 yard field goal to begin the fourth quarter.

Braden Wieking answered with a 36-yard field of his own to give the Cougars a decisive 31-16 lead with 9:28 on the clock.

CU didn't lie down and they kept things interesting with a Cordell Smith 18-yard TD with 2:56 to play. They proceeded to execute a flawless onside kick to give the Golden Bears another chance, but Tidwell picked off Peterson for a second time end any comeback bid.

Jeremiah Oates returned to his scoring ways, tallying two TD receptions tonight. He added four catches and 107 yards.

Eric Anderson and Robert Virgil led the defense with nine tackles each. Michael Frericks added seven stops and one interception.

Career Milestones
Braden Wieking (46) is now USF's career-leader in FGs made and is fourth in scoring (362) all-time... Kristian Porter (1919 yds.) is nearing the 2,000 yard rushing mark and ranks 10th on all-time rushing list... Eric Anderson is up to 201 career tackles... Jordan Taylor (1490) approaches the 1500-yard rushing mark... Jeremiah Oates (975) will soon crack 1,000 yards receiving... Robert Virgil (9) is one away from double-digit interceptions

Perkins' Pocket Presence
Through week seven, Perkins boasts 21 TD passes to only three interceptions. He has completed 55.3 % of his pass attempts to tally 1739 yards to equate a passing efficiency of 144.42. Last weekend marked the second time this season Perkins eclipsed the 300 yard mark with four or more TD passes and zero interceptions.

Turnover Margin
USF claims 21 takeaways, including 16 interceptions, which gives them one of the nation's-best turnover margins, +11 on the year (1.57/game).

Stats Worth Mentioning
Through seven games USF has...
- 36 offensive plays of 25 yards or more (29 passes, 7 rushes). *Long Plays pg. 22
- Only allowed five rushing TDs
- An 85% completion rate on second and short
- 55 tackles for loss (7.86/game)

The Receiving End of Things
Senior wide out Jeremiah Oates continues to establish himself as a scoring threat, while junior receiver Carrington Hanna has become the Cougars go to when they need a sure catch.

Oates sits among the nation and conference-best as a big-play threat. He has 21 catches of +25 yards, seven of which were touchdowns to go alone with his 11 TD total for the season. Oates has tallied 20 TDs in 16 games as a Cougar. Hanna leads the team with 46 receptions for 651 yards and 8 TDs. His 93 yard per game average is pretty good for a first-year starter at receiver.

NSIC POW
Through seven weeks USF has received a POW nomination three times...
- Braden Wieking: Special Teams (9/17)
- Braden Wieking: Special Teams (10/1)
- Taylor Perkins: Offensive Player of the Week (10/15)

About Augustana College
Augustana (3-4) heads into this week's contest following a 66 point offensive explosion at Upper Iowa last week. This came as no surprise, as the Vikings have one of the top offensive attacks in the conference. Led by senior QB Josh Hanson, has already accumulated 1,934 passing yards in 2012, Augustana is converting 52% of their 3rd downs and posting 454 yards of total offense per game. The Vikings went to the wire with then-No. 2 Minnesota-Duluth falling 42-34 @ Duluth in week four. They have surpassed the 60-point mark twice this season.

Where the Cougars Rank Nationally
As of October 15 USF ranks in the top 10 of the NCAA DII in 7 statistical categories. (complete national and conference rankings can be found on page 12)

Category Individual/Team National Rank
Passes Intercepted- 1st (16)
Turnover Margin- T-3rd (+1.57/game)
Passing Effic. Defense- 5th (94.4 Opp. rating)
3rd Down Conversion % Defense- 6th (27.19 %)
Field Goals- Braden Wieking    T-6th (1.43/game)
Turnovers Gained- T-6th (21)
Passes Defended- Robert Virgil    T-7th (1.71/game)

Up Next
USF stays in Sioux Falls to host Upper Iowa University October 27 for homecoming.

Courtesy:  University of Sioux Falls