SIOUX FALLS, SD – Paul Guptill and Danny Kittner both scored second half touchdowns for the University of Mary but an early scoring flurry by homestanding Augustana Vikings proved too much for the Marauders to overcome in a 48-16 loss.
 
Guptill scored the Marauders (0-8 overall / 0-4 NSIC North) first defensive touchdown of the season midway through the fourth quarter. Picking up a fumble by Shahan Ameen, Guptill sprinted 49 yards for the score with 7:44 remaining in the game. It was the second turnover of the day caused by the Marauders defense, making this the fifth straight game UMary has forced multiple turnovers.
 
Kittner capped the scoring with a 1 yard touchdown catch from fellow freshman Jason Hoekstra with 33 seconds on the clock, capping a 9 play 72 yard drive.
 
Brody Riggs opened the scoring for the Marauders with a 39 yard field goal in the third quarter.
 
Surrounded by a Vikings Days homecoming celebration, Augie (5-3 overall, 2-2 NSIC South) wasted no time getting on the scoreboard. Keyed by a 42 yard completion on the first play of the game from Kyle Saddler to Chet Peerenboom, Rudy Sinflorant scored from a yard out just 1:50 into the game.  
 
The UMary defense stifled the Augie attack on the Vikings next possession, forcing a punt. UMary was unable to move the ball and had to punt from its 14 yard line. Augie fought through the UMary protection and blocked the punt attempt. Isaac Walter recovered in the end zone and the Vikings doubled their lead to 14-0 less than five minutes into the game.
 
An interception by the Marauders defense stalled the next Vikings possession, but UMary was unable to take advantage. The Vikings followed by scoring on their next two possessions, a 15 yard Braiden Petersen run late in the first quarter and a Saddler to Nickel Meyers pass play of 43 yards on the first play of the second quarter to build a 28-0 lead.
 
Stepping forward, the UMary defense forced a pair of 3-and-outs before Daniel Hudrlik blocked an Augie 43 yard field goal attempt and the Vikings missed a 46 yard field goal as time expired.
 
After seeing the Augie offense and special teams score in the game, the Vikings defense followed. On the first possession of the second half, Augie's Kenneth Griffin stepped in front of a UMary pass attempt and returned an interception 49 yards for a touchdown to increase the Vikings advantage to 35-0.
 
Riggs capped an 11 play 53 yard drive on UMary's next possession, hitting a 39 yard field goal into the wind for the Marauders first points of the game. Both teams the alternated touchdowns in the fourth quarter.
 
The UMary defense limited Augustana to 363 yards of offense, about 100 yards below the Vikings average. The leading air attack in the NSIC threw for 277 and ran for 86. UMary totaled 241 yards of offense and gained 17 first downs.
 
Hoekstra attempted 53 passes in the game, completing 26 for 202 yards and a score. Garrett Wessinger caught a career-high nine balls for 85 yards. Kittner added a career-best seven catches for 39 yards. Reggie Scott led the ground attack with 34 yards.
 
Ryan Naki led the defense with eight tackles (seven solo). He also had a pass breakup. Cyrano Rayfield posted four stops with a tackle for loss, broke up a pass and had two quarterback hurries.  Jack Barry had the Marauders lone sack on the day.
 
Saddler passed for 277 yards and two score. Meyers caught both touchdowns and had five catches for 93 yards. One of the leading rushers in the NSIC, UMary held Sinflorant to 24 yards on 11 carries.
 
Joey Newman paced the Vikings defense with three tackles for loss, including one of four team sacks.
 
After playing against NSIC South foes the last four weeks, the Marauders return to facing NSIC North opposition when Northern State University rolls into town on Saturday, Oct. 27. Game time is 2 pm at the MDU Resources Community Bowl in the final home contest for the Marauders this season.
 
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