By: Madie Brink
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - The University of Sioux Falls Football team (3-2, 2-2 NSIC) welcomes crosstown rival and nationally ranked #8 Augustana (5-0, 4-0 NSIC) for the 13th annual 'Key to the City' showdown on Saturday afternoon at Bob Young Field. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. in what is always one of the most highly anticipated matchups on the NSIC schedule. The Cougars look to reclaim The Key after last year's 27-21 road loss, while the Vikings aim for their third straight 'Key to the City' victory.
INSIDE THE SERIES
SERIES HISTORY: Augustana holds a 22-10 lead in the all-time series, but Sioux Falls has controlled the matchup since the transition to NCAA Division II, posting an 8-4 advantage in that span since the 'Key to the City' was introduced in 2012. At Bob Young Field, the Cougars are 3-3 against the Vikings in the DII era. The last meeting between the programs came on Nov. 9, 2024, when the Vikings defeated USF 27-21 at Kirkeby-Over Stadium.
THE LAST TIME: Sioux Falls battled hard but came up just short in a 27–21 road loss to then-No. 10 Augustana. The Cougars struck first on a 29-yard touchdown pass from
Camden Dean to
Adonis Hutchinson, but the Vikings responded with 17 unanswered points to take a 17–7 halftime lead. USF closed the gap in the third quarter with a short touchdown run by
Dylan Rudningen, though Augustana added a field goal and a long scoring run to stay in front.
USF rallied late as Dean engineered an 11-play, 77-yard drive capped by a 20-yard touchdown strike to
Christian Janis, but the comeback fell just short. Dean finished with 285 passing yards and two scores as the Cougars outgained the Vikings through the air, while the USF defense produced key plays including a blocked field goal by
Francis Kumi.
THE COUGAR FILE
QUICK HITS: The 2025 matchup marks the 13th edition of the 'Key to the City' game, with Sioux Falls holding an 8-4 lead in the trophy series. Saturday's contest also features one of the league's premier quarterback duels as USF's
Camden Dean and Augustana's Gunnar Hensley both rank among the NSIC's top offensive leaders.
Explosive playmakers will be on display on both sidelines with USF's
Hank Brown Jr. and Augie's Klayton Sattler among the conference's most productive receivers. Defensively, the Cougars have three interceptions on the year while Augustana has held opponents to fewer than 19 points per game.
Beyond the numbers, the rivalry carries deep meaning within the Sioux Falls community, as bragging rights and city pride add fuel to what is always one of the NSIC's most electric atmospheres.
PREGAME TIDBITS: Sioux Falls enters Saturday's matchup with a 3-2 overall record and a 2-2 mark in NSIC play, opening the year with three straight wins before falling to nationally ranked No. 16/11 Minnesota Duluth and #14 Minnesota State in back-to-back weeks. Offensively, the Cougars are averaging 30.8 points and 425.8 yards per game, displaying strong balance with 175.8 rushing yards and 250 passing yards per contest. Senior quarterback
Camden Dean continues to be the catalyst, combining for 1,328 yards of total offense and 12 total touchdowns through five games. A true dual threat, Dean has passed for 1,094 yards and eight touchdowns while rushing for 234 yards and four scores, providing stability and leadership under center.
The ground game has been a point of strength for the Cougars, led by
Bubba Tann III, who has carried the ball 76 times for 294 yards and three touchdowns. Complementing him are
Christian Nash, with 173 rushing yards and two scores, and
Jordan Smith, who averages 8.1 yards per carry with a 75-yard long touchdown run already this season. In the passing game, USF boasts one of the NSIC's top receiving trios.
Hank Brown Jr. sits amongst the top of the conference in receptions with 38, totaling 463 yards, while
Isaiah Emanuel has been the Cougars' top red-zone threat with four touchdown grabs to go with 261 yards.
Christian Janis adds explosive ability, averaging over 22 yards per reception on the season.
Defensively, the Cougars have allowed 28.8 points and 362 yards per game but have made timely plays to keep themselves in contention.
Garret Hoffman leads the unit with 24 tackles and an interception, while
Isaac Rudningen has added 21 stops and a pick of his own.
Andy Henson, the reigning NSIC Defensive Newcomer of the Year, continues to establish himself as one of the top linebackers in the league with 16 tackles, and veteran cornerback
Mauloa Wells has contributed 17 tackles, an interception, and three pass breakups. The defense has forced five turnovers overall, including three interceptions, and has been particularly effective on third down, holding opponents to just 47 percent conversion.
As a team, USF has excelled in time of possession, controlling the ball for nearly 34 minutes per game, and has been sharp on third down, converting at a 52.9 percent rate — one of the best marks in the conference. Special teams have provided a spark as well, highlighted by
Adonis Hutchinson's 100-yard kickoff return touchdown earlier this season.
SCOUTING THE OPPONENT
PREGAME TIDBITS: #8/13 Augustana enters the Key to the City game undefeated at 5-0 overall and 4-0 in the NSIC following a 34-26 victory over Winona State. Senior quarterback Gunnar Hensley has been nearly flawless, completing 71.5 percent of his passes for 1,419 yards, 13 touchdowns, and no interceptions through five games. His receiving corps is loaded with playmakers, led by Isaiah Huber with 331 yards, Klayton Sattler with 244 yards and five touchdowns, Jaxon Haynes with 227 yards and three touchdowns, and Cody Oswald with 225 yards and two scores. On the ground, Ryan Kenny leads the team with 235 rushing yards and five touchdowns, while Breylon Blount has added 103 yards.
Defensively, Logan Leonard leads the Vikings with 29 tackles and an interception, while Gradee Sherman has contributed 11 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, and a pick of his own. As a team, the Vikings are averaging 32.8 points and 420 yards of total offense per game while limiting opponents to 18.6 points.
AUGUSTANA HEAD COACH JERRY OLSZEWSKI: Jerry Olszewski enters his 13th season as head coach of Augustana in 2024, where he has transformed the Vikings into a perennial contender. A four-time NSIC Coach of the Year, Olszewski owns a career record of 106-59, including a 74-41 mark at Augustana. Since taking over the program in 2012 after five seasons at St. Olaf, he has become the Vikings' all-time winningest coach, guiding AU to multiple NCAA Division II Playoff appearances and four conference championships, including back-to-back titles in 2023 and 2024 — the first time the program has repeated since the early 1940s. His teams have produced All-Americans on the field, Academic All-Americans in the classroom, and several record-setting seasons, highlighted by a program-best 11-2 campaign in 2023.
Under Olszewski, Augustana has developed a reputation for high-powered offenses and disciplined defenses. He has mentored standout players such as Rimington Trophy winner Jake Lacina and Harlon Hill finalist Trey Heid, while overseeing units that rewrote school records for passing yards, total offense, and sacks. His leadership has elevated Augustana to national relevance, with five playoff berths since 2015 and consistent recognition in the national polls. Beyond the gridiron, Olszewski emphasizes academics and community service, fostering a program that excels on the field, in the classroom, and throughout the Sioux Falls community.
PRE-GAME EVENTS & REMINDERS
- Join us Friday, Oct. 3 at 12pm for Coopers Corner at Gibs Sports Bar & Grill for a chance to talk with Coach Jim Glogowski and Coach Joe DeMay ahead of this weekends events!
- The parking lot will open at 9:30am on Saturday, October 4. Any vehicles left overnight from Friday are subject to be towed at the owners expense.
- The ticket office will open at 11:00am - Fans are encouraged to purchase their tickets ahead of time at USFCougars.com/Tickets.
- Gates will open at 11:30am - Outside food and beverages are prohibited at Bob Young Field and there will be no re-entry upon leaving the stadium.
BROADCAST INFORMATION
