Augsburg's football team got its season off to an impressive start with a 24-20 victory over NAIA II Valley City (N.D.) State University. Augsburg used a perfectly balanced offense, combined with a stingy defense to shut down the Vikings, a playoff team last year and rated 12th in the NAIA II this season.

Augsburg jumped off to a quick start with a 17-point second quarter. All-MIAC quarterback Derrin Lamker connected with All-American wide receiver Scott Hvistendahl for Augsburg's first score. Kicker Martin Hlinka added a 35 yard field goal with 45 seconds left in the first half. On the next play from scrimmage, cornerback Rob Just picked off a Viking pass and returned it to the 1-yardline. Lamker scored on the next play to increase Augsburg's lead to 17-0. Balance was the name of the game for Augsburg's offense -- in a total of 82 plays, Augsburg ran the ball 41 times, and threw the ball 41 times.

The Auggies defense came up with big play after big play all afternoon. The defense created five turnovers, including two interceptions by safety Jake Kern. Kern returned the second interception 20 yards for a touchdown that put Augsburg ahead for good. Augsburg's defense put the clamps on Valley City's highly touted offense, allowing just two touchdowns and only 286 yards of total offense.