SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Cougar Football falls to 2-3 on the season after dropping their Cougars Days and 'Key to the City' matchup, 49-29, against (RV) Augustana today.
Following an almost hour lightning delay, USF jumped out to an early 8-0 lead when the Coo went 80 yards on nine plays to capitalize on a 2-yard touchdown run by Dylan Rudningen. Sioux Falls topped the drive off with a successful 2-point conversion when Noah Robertson connected with Mark Leonard to give USF an early lead.
Augustana responded with three unanswered touchdowns, two in the first quarter and one in the second, to go up 21-8 before USF Camden Dean broke loose for a 59-yard touchdown. Nick Hernandez split the uprights to record his 100th career PAT for a score of 21-15.
The Vikings led 35-15 following Casey Bauman's fifth touchdown pass of the half, but Sioux Falls added seven to close out the half, 35-22, when Dean connected with Matt Grzybowski on a 9-yard touchdown pass.
Compared to the first half of action, the second half was relatively quiet. Augustana punched in 14 total points throughout the half while USF saw their last touchdown with 1:45 remaining in the game.
Dean became the first quarterback since Luke Papillion to rush for over 100-yards. Dean rushed for 120 yards and a touchdown on the day while throwing for 139-yards and a TD and completing 16-of-22 pass attempts.
Rudningen also paved the way in the backfield with 16 carries for 66-yards and two touchdowns.
Carter Slykhuis was just shy of a 100-yard receiving day, pulling down nine receptions for 95 yards. Grzybowski had the teams only receiving touchdown of the day.
For the defense, Eli Schlangen recorded seven tackles, all of which were solo attempts. Amarii Grosskopf had two tackles for loss on the day for a total loss of 6-yards.
Hernandez went 3-for-3 on the day in PATs while punting for a career high of 72-yards on two punts.
UP NEXT
USF will hit the road to take on Concordia-St. Paul next weekend. The two programs are scheduled to kickoff at 12pm next Saturday, October 7 at Sea Foam Stadium in St. Paul, Minnesota.
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