DECATUR, Ill. – With not much offense, the Augustana College football team took a page or two from the University of Iowa playbook on Saturday. Relying on a staunch defense and a huge special teams play late in the game, the Vikings trekked to Frank M.
Lindsay Field and battled for a hard-fought 24-20 victory over the hosting Millikin Big Blue. Junior Breyden Smith returned a punt 52 yards for a touchdown with 4:22 left in regulation that proved to be the difference in the contest and saved the Vikings, who moved to 2-1 on the season and evened their CCIW mark at 1-1 heading into next Saturday’s homecoming contest against North Park at 1 p.m.
“It was huge,” said Augie coach Steve Bell of Smith’s return. “We needed a spark in some form or fashion because of the way our offense is playing. Uncharacteristic stuff in the first half and into the second half.
” Smith, a dangerous speedster who booked his first punt return touchdown of his career, did exactly what the Vikings needed. “He made the first man miss and that’s the critical piece of the puzzle,” said Bell of the return that started on the right hash and worked down the left sideline. “Once he got past the first guy, the rest of our guys did a nice job of getting a hat on a hat and giving him an opportunity.
” After Smith’s return, the Vikings could have iced the game there on Darren Oregon’s interception that gave Augie the ball at the MU 42 with 4:07 left. But Augie, who finished with 246 yards .
