Augustana
2-2 Overall
2-2 NSIC South
Head Coach:
Jerry Olszewski

Minnesota Crookston
1-3 Overall
1-3 NSIC North
Head Coach:
Mark Dufner

Date: Sept. 29, 2018
Time: 1 p.m.
Site: Crookston, Minn.
Stadium: Ed Widseth Field
Surface: Grass
Capacity: 2,000
Series: Augustana leads 7-0
Last: Augustana won 56-3 
Sept. 17, 2016 in Sioux Falls, S.D.
Video: https://portal.stretchinternet.com/crk/#liveEventsTab
Live Stats: https://goldeneaglesports.com/sidearmstats/football/summary
Radio: 1260 KROX AM/105.7 FM
Leo Blavin (Play by Play)
www.kroxam.com
App: MN Crookston Athletics on Google Play and Apple Store

The Scoop
The University of Minnesota Crookston football team returns home Saturday for their Homecoming tilt with Augustana University at 1 p.m. at Ed Widseth Field in Crookston, Minn. 

Previewing the Golden Eagles
The Golden Eagles are looking to build on positive momentum after upending Minot State 29-21 last Saturday for their first win since Nov. 7, 2015 and their first road win since Nov. 3, 2007. 

Minnesota Crookston is led offensively by dual-threat quarterback Jalin Scott, who accounted for four touchdown last week, three on the ground and one through the air. Scott is 36-of-63 on the season for 537 yards with two touchdown passes. On the ground, Scott has rushed 72 times for 118 yards and four touchdowns.
In the backfield, look for Elijah Todd to continue to get the ball. Todd leads the team with 283 rushing yards. He is averaging 5.1 yards per carry on the season. In the passing game, Scott has a wide variety of threats he can go to. Freshman Andy Groebner has been a stand-out with 11 catches for 258 yards and a touchdown, while junior college transplant Jonattan Mudd has eight grabs for 140 yards. Rod Stewart, a 2017 All-NSIC Second Team selection, has eight catches for 114 yards and a touchdown this season. Stewart needs just 13 receptions and 38 receiving yards to move into third all-time in both categories, surpassing Minnesota Crookston greats Carl Aho (receptions) and Mark Olsonawski (receiving yards).

As a team, Minnesota Crookston is averaging 262.3 yards of offense with an average of 104.5 yards per game on the ground and 157.8 yards per game through the air.

Defensively, the Golden Eagles are coming off their best defensive performance since Nov. 7, 2015 as they limited Minot State to just 245 yards of offense last Saturday. Minnesota Crookston is led by reining NSIC Defensive Player of the Week Ali Alkhatib, who had eight tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, and a sack for a safety against the Beavers. With Alkhatib's 3.5 tackles for loss, he moved into second all-time for the category, jumping over Drew Selvestra, Chad Larson, and Justin Reed. He needs nine tackles to move past Jim Mages for first. In addition to Alkhatib, Joe Warner has been strong inside with 21 tackles and three tackles for loss. At defensive end, Austin Brown has come on for the Golden Eagles with 11 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and a sack. Julian Jackson has led Minnesota Crookston in tackles this season with 36. He also has 1.5 tackles for loss and a sack.

In the kicking game, Stephen Day comes in tallying 37.5 yards per punt with four inside the 20 and four punts over 50 yards. Freshman Jared McLemore is 1-of-1 on field goals this season with one from 22 yards out. McLemore is averaging 54.4 yards per kickoff this season with five touchbacks.

Previewing the Vikings
Augustana comes into the weekend with a 2-2 mark. The Vikings fell 51-13 to cross-town rival Sioux Falls last weekend. 

Augustana is averaging 492.0 yards of offense this season with 326.0 yards per game through the air. Sophomore quarterback Kyle Saddler has led the aerial attack with 1,304 passing yards, eight touchdowns and six interceptions. His top target has been Nickel Meyers, who has 355 yards and two touchdowns, while Sean Engel has 21 grabs for 302 yards. In the running game, Rudy Sinflorant leads the squad with 519 yards and five touchdowns.

Defensively, Augustana is allowing 469.5 yards per game, including 285.5 yards per content through the air. The Vikings are led by linebacker Kirby Hora, who has 36 tackles with a tackle for loss. In addition, Cody Kujawa has 20 tackles with four tackles for loss and two sacks, while Michael Kloza has led Augustana with three interceptions.

#StingLikeABee
Ali Alkhatib, might not be the same Ali who floats like a butterfly and stings like a bee, but the reining NSIC Defensive Player of the Week does pack a punch. Alkhatib sealed the win Saturday over Minot State with a sack in the end zone for a safety in the final two minutes. Alkhatib also notched 3.5 tackles for loss and eight tackles in the game. He will look to build off the strong performance against Augustana Saturday.

#GreatScott
Minnesota Crookston quarterback Jalin Scott is coming off a great game against Minot State last Saturday. The junior rushed for three touchdowns and passed for another as he led the Golden Eagles to the 29-21 win over the Beavers. Scott has passed for 537 yards and rushed for 118 yards this season. He will look to have a strong Homecoming performance at home against Augustana. 

#TryAndSlowHimDown
Junior running back Elijah Todd, a transfer from Dakota College at Bottineau, is coming off his best game as a Golden Eagle. Todd rushed 26 times for 130 yards against Minot State Saturday. Todd at 240 pounds has proven hard to take down as he has picked up 283 yards on 56 runs. He is averaging 5.1 yards per carry on the season. He will look to be a big factor for Minnesota Crookston against Augustana on Saturday. 

#TacklingMachine
Julian Jackson has had a great start to the season for the Golden Eagles. The Tampa, Fla. native leads the team with 36 tackles on the season. Jackson is currently tied for fourth in the NSIC with an average of nine tackles per game. In addition, Jackson has 1.5 tackles for loss, a sack and a recovered fumble. He will look to be a major force for the Golden Eagles this weekend against Augustana. 

#5StoryLines
1. Will Jalin Scott have another big day both on the ground and through the air?

2. Will Elijah Todd have another big game on the ground?

3. Can the defense come up with back-to-big performances?

4. Can the defense come away with big turnovers?

5. Will special teams be a major factor in the game?