SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - Concordia-St. Paul (2-7, 2-6 NSIC) wasn't able to secure a top-25 upset on Saturday afternoon at Kirkeby-Over Stadium, falling 28-7 to #20 Augustana (7-2, 6-2 NSIC) despite senior running back Jaylin Richardson registering his sixth 100-yard rushing game to top 1,000 yards on the season.

Richardson carried 23 times for 104 yards including a third quarter 15-yard touchdown that was set-up by junior linebacker Richard Wauer's interception, cutting host Augustana's lead to 21-7 with 5:54 to play in the third quarter.

But the Vikings built their advantage on an unfortunate second quarter bounce, as the first play from scrimmage was bobbled by CSP and intercepted by Augustana's Haden Wallace and returned 47-yards for a touchdown for a 14-0 Vikings lead and a big momentum swing.

Augustana would also score first in the second half before the Wauer interception and Richardson touchdown.

Concordia's defense held strong in the first half despite allowing Augie to score on its opening drive, an 82-yard march. After that, CSP forced a pair of punts and a missed field goal as time expired in the second quarter to keep the game close, 14-0. In the first half, Concordia held Augustana to 1-4 on third downs, while the rushing yards were nearly even (CSP 62, Augie 64) and first downs were nearly even (CSP 10, Augie 11) in a half that played more like a 10-6 game than a 14-0 contest.

Concordia pushed the ball into Viking territory on each of its first two possessions and on three of its five first-half possessions.

In the second half, Augustana's run game took control, as the Vikings pounded the ball for 207 yards on 22 carries and converted 4-of-7 on third down and limited Concordia to 88 yards of total offense in the second half. On Augustana's final scoring drive of the day early in the fourth quarter, the Vikings picked up a pair of third downs, a 3rd-and-4 from their own 40 on a pass to running back Jarod Epperson out of the backfield for eight yards, and a 3rd-and-3 from the CSP 45 with Epperson rushing for 19 yards to the CSP 26, with Epperson scoring from 26 yards on the next play.

Epperson had a 200-yard day, rushing 14 times for 156 yards and two touchdowns while adding 5-50 receiving. Augustana would finish the day with 34 team carries for 271 yards on the ground.

The Golden Bear offensive line had its hands full entering play, facing a Viking defense that ranked 22nd in the country with 2.88 sacks per game, third in the NSIC with 6.9 tackles for loss per game, and the nation's 20th-ranked run defense, surrendering just 92.4 rushing yards per game.

Contrast that to CSP's offensive front, which ranked 11th in the nation with 3.88 tackles for loss per game, 14th with 0.88 sacks per game and blocking for the nation's sixth-ranked rusher, Richardson, who entered with 966 yards and 12 total touchdowns in a run game that averaged 171.9 per game as a unit.

Today, CSP's offensive line held its own, allowing Richardson to rush for over 100 yards and now sits at 1,070 on the season with 13 total touchdowns (10 in the last five games), CSP produced nearly 20 more rushing yards (111) than Augustana allowed per game, and allowed only one sack and one tackle for loss to the Viking defense.

Sophomore quarterback Jackson Compton completed 15-28 for 123 yards. He found eight different options and targeted 11 teammates on the day. Senior wide receiver Drew Enke had four catches for 49 yards to lead the team's receivers.

CSP's defense held Augustana's reigning NSIC Offensive Player of the Week Gunnar Hensley to 19-29 passing for 139 yards and 4-20 rushing.

Concordia's defense was led by Wauer's six tackles, an interception and half tackle for loss while cornerback Garian Denson led the team with seven tackles, adding a pass breakup. Redshirt freshman defensive end Isaiah Wray added five tackles including 1.5 tackles for loss as CSP had 4.0 tackles for loss compared to Augustana's 1.0.

The Viking defense was led by Wallace who had 10 tackles to go along with his interception returned for touchdown.

Senior punter Parker Dahlman had a big day. After punting six total times combined the previous four weeks, Dahlman punted six times today, averaging 47.3 yards including a long of 58 yards, three of 50-plus yards and a pair pinned inside the 20.

Concordia returns home next Saturday for a noon kickoff on senior day in the home finale at Sea Foam Stadium against Minnesota Duluth (5-4, 4-4 NSIC). The Bulldogs have won their last two games including a 42-38 road win at Winona State this afternoon.