SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The University of Minnesota Crookston football team fell 56-3 to 18^th-ranked Augustana University Sat., Sept. 17 at Kirkeby-Over Stadium in Sioux Falls, S.D. The Vikings amassed 482 yards of offense led by the play of quarterback Trey Heid, who accounted for five touchdowns on the afternoon.

Minnesota Crookston falls to 0-3 with Saturday's loss, while Augustana moved to 3-0.

The Golden Eagles finished the game with 219 yards of offense with 128 through the air and 91 on the ground. Minnesota Crookston was just 3-of-15 on third downs on the afternoon.

The Golden Eagles were led on the afternoon by Nathan Cole (Sr., QB, Aliso Viejo, Calif.), who was 14-of-23 for 108 yards passing with one interception. He connected with Adam Connette (Jr., WR, Corona, Calif.) three times for 42 yards. He would find Rod Stewart (So., WR, Fort Worth, Texas) three times for 36 yards and Ryan Hutton (Sr., WR, Thief River Falls, Minn.) four time for 26 yards.

In the ground game, Andre Person (Sr., RB, Detroit, Mich.) would finish with 42 yards on 15 carries. Shane Curtis (R-Fr., RB, Stewartville, Minn.) would add seven carries for 24 yards.

Defensively, UMC was led by six tackles apiece from Ali Alkhatib (R-So., LB, Rosemount, Minn.), William Cole (So., DB, Compton, Calif.) and Trevor Long, Jr. (R-Fr., DB, Brooklyn Park, Minn.). Minnesota Crookston would be able to get some pressure on the quarterback with three sacks on the afternoon. Isaiah Armstrong (Sr., DL, Fairfield, Calif.), Aeric Berner (So., DB, Antigo, Wis.) and Bubba Cook (So., DL, Surprise, Ariz.) all would get the quarterback once.

Augustana would look to Heid, who was 13-of-22 for 263 yards with four touchdown passes. Jackie Davis led the way in the running game with 10 carries for 65 yards. Heid chipped in 63 yards on eight carries with one touchdown rush.

Heid's top target in the aerial attack was Matt Heller, who had a big game with five grabs for 149 yards and three touchdowns. Nathan Merriman added three grabs for 43 yards.

Defensively, Trevor Naasz led the way with six tackles. John Waters would lead the way with an interception, while Mitch Webster and Joey Newman each had sacks.

Augustana would get on the board on their second drive of the game as Heid found Heller for the first of three times on the day, this time from three yards out.

The Vikings would race the down the field led by a big pass from Heid to Heller for 54 yards to get the ball down to the UMC 4. Heid would run it in from four yards out to put Augustana up 14-0.

Augie would quickly get the ball back in good field position as Zac Johnson blocked a Stephen Day (R-So., K/P, Eveleth, Minn.) punt to give the Vikings the ball at the UMC 21. Heid would find Jake Welshaimer for the 21-yard strike to make it 21-0.

UMC would move the ball well on their next drive getting it down to the Augustana 28, but Cole would throw an errant pass that was intercepted by Waters as the drive stalled.

Augustana would turn it into seven points as Heid connected to Heller for their second touchdown of the day on a 55-yard strike to make it 28-0.

The Vikings would block another punt later in the second quarter, again by Johnson. Brett Shepley would recover and go in for the score as the lead extended to 35-0, which would be the score at the break.

Augustana would take the first drive of the second half 61 yards on plays culminating with an eight-yard rush from Davis to make it 42-0.

The Vikings would extend the advantage to 49-0 as Heid and Heller connected for their third touchdown of the game, this time for 22 yards.

Augie would make it 56-0 early in the fourth quarter as D.J. Luke had an eight-yard touchdown rush.

The Golden Eagles would respond on a drive led by back-up quarterback Taylor Spier (R-Fr., QB, Buffalo, Minn.). The drive was led by a 12-yard rush by Spier. The drive would culminate with a 28-yard field goal by Mike Maw (Sr., K, White Bear Lake, Minn.) to cut the Augie lead to 56-3.

Minnesota Crookston will return home to face Southwest Minnesota State University Sat., Sept. 24 at 1 p.m. at Ed Widseth Field in Crookston, Minn.