Next-man-up Vikings make history

Augustana football’s 2025 season was shaped by growth, grit and a belief in each other that carried them to a 9–2 finish and the highest national ranking in program history.

The Vikings opened the fall with a dominant 9–0 run while averaging 34.45 points per game and outgaining opponents by more than 28 yards per game, a stretch built on consistency and weekly improvement rather than star power. They scored 379 points across the regular season while holding opponents to 23.4 per game, producing one of the most balanced statistical profiles the program has posted under head coach Jerry Olszewski.

“Our identity was all about growth and being one game better every time we took the field,” he said. “We talked about being game-one ready, and that continued every week as we grew as a very young team with a lot of new names showing up.”

That approach materialized in areas often overlooked: Augustana converted 48.5% of its third downs, allowed just 16 sacks in 11 games and finished 39-for-41 on red-zone opportunities, including 36 touchdowns — all signs of a team committed to detail and stability.

Defensively, the effects of that mentality were visible long before the season took its late turn. Redshirt freshman linebacker Wyatt Hamersma said the team’s resolve never wavered.

“I will remember feeling that I knew this team wouldn’t give up,” Hamersma said. “The guys never bowed their heads when scenarios in the game didn’t go our way.”

Hamersma finished with 29 tackles and two tackles for loss, part of a unit that allowed opponents to complete just 51% of passes and score only 15 passing touchdowns all year.

The Vikings were forced to adapt early, including at the most visible position. True freshman quarterback Rich Lucero Jr. stepped into the starting role and led an offense that threw for 2,807 yards and 29 touchdowns while completing nearly 68% of its passes. In six games, Lucero completed 113 of 174 attempts for 1,283 yards and 15 touchdowns, helping maintain one of the most explosive passing attacks in Division II.

“Being called on as a true freshman to start at quarterback was an unbelievable experience — full of excitement, adversity and a ton of personal growth,” he said. “I prepared by trusting my team, trusting my abilities and trusting God’s plan.”

Lucero credited the quarterback room, especially junior quarterback Gunnar Hensley, for helping him grow quickly.

“Gunnar took me under his wing and taught me what it means to be an Augustana quarterback,” he said.

Their partnership steadied an offense led by senior wide receiver Isaiah Huber with 62 passes for 738 yards, as well as sophomore wide receiver Cody Oswald and junior tight end Klayton Sattler with six touchdowns each.

On the ground, Augustana averaged 146.5 rushing yards per game, paced by running backs redshirt freshman Breylon Blount, who ran for 703 yards at 7.0 yards per carry, and sophomore Ryan Kenny, who added 235 yards and five touchdowns in just five games.

Special teams remained a bright spot throughout the year, highlighted by junior kicker Jake Pecina’s program-record 57-yard field goal, perfect 45-for-45 PAT total and 42.9-yard punting average, all of which provided crucial field position during the Vikings’ 9–0 start and late-season battles.

“I am thankful Coach OJ trusted me enough to go out there from that far and attempt the kick,” Pecina said. “Being able to break a record in any sport is a special accomplishment for a person. I would say it was nice to see the work pay off at that moment — however, my job is not finished.”

One of the defining games of the season came during the rivalry matchup with Sioux Falls, when Augustana erased an 18-point fourth-quarter deficit in 40-mph winds to win 29–28 and stay unbeaten.

“We trusted each other and never lost hope,” Lucero said. “That comeback kept our perfect season alive and showed the kind of resilience this team was built on.”

But that resilience was tested even more in the final stretch. The Vikings entered the last two weeks ranked No. 5 nationally — a program first — before falling to Minnesota State Mankato and Wayne State.

Olszewski pointed to overwhelming injuries — nine starters out, six for the season — as the biggest factor.

“We played two good football teams,” he said. “A few critical points didn’t go our way, and injuries stacked up. It was just too much to overcome.”

Lucero said the locker room felt a mix of heartbreak and pride after the finale.

“We were devastated, but at the same time extremely proud — starting 9–0, being ranked No. 5 for the first time in program history,” he said. “We’re a true brotherhood that wins together, loses together and prays together.”

Despite the difficult ending, Augustana walked off the field knowing it had elevated the program’s standard. The Vikings averaged more than 401 yards of total offense per game, held opponents below 373, and outscored them by more than 120 points.

“There are many great days ahead,” Olszewski said. “The expectations should be very high for the coming years.”

Lucero agreed, saying the season proved what the program can become.

“The sky is the limit,” he said. “We’re excited to build on what we accomplished and take the next steps.”