SIOUX FALLS — In what will likely be the second-to-last football meeting between two schools separated by two blocks, the University of Sioux Falls hosts Augustana in the “Key to the City Game” tonight at 6:05 p.m.
KWSN, 98.1 FM, 1230-AM, KWSN.COM, and the FREE KWSN app will carry the game starting with a 5:30 pre-game show.
MidcoSN will televise the game live at 6 p.m.
The Cougars have beaten Augie in 6 of the 7 annual matchups since USF joined the Northern Sun Conference in 2012, including a 51-13 dismantling at Augustana last year.
The dominance has been a source of pride for players, coaches, and especially USF alumni and fans who grew tired of hearing Augustana types dismiss the Cougars’ dominance in winning three of four NAIA national championships from 2006-09 before starting the move to Div. I in 2011.
The head coaches of the schools use different words to describe why the Coo have dominated the series.
“Our guys have confidence,” USF coach Jon Anderson said during his weekly appearance on KWSN’s Sports Talk with Craig & John.
“They have confidence against everybody they play, but they understand — we’re open and honest about the magnitude of this football game. Just being able to talk about it throughout the week, what to expect, how to operate, how to keep your emotions in check. So far, the teams in the past have done a good job of that.”
And how does Augie coach Jerry Olszewski view the Cougars’ 5-1 record against his teams since coming to Sioux Falls from Div. III St. Olaf (MN) in 2013?
“In years, past, they probably played a little more physical game than we did,” Olszewski said on his weekly appearance on KWSN’s “Craig & John.”
“We have to be able to match that physicality, snap-for-snap, and big plays have played a big part in some of them. Last year, that was the case, but some years you either make a play or you don’t. We turned it over one year three times inside the red zone, and you can’t do that against any good team.”
Both coaches said they do not shy away from the emotional aspects of the rivalry, allowing the players to enjoy and fuel off the excitement and anticipation, how it means more than most games. Olszweski admitted revenge from a humiliating blowout loss at home last season has been fresh on the Vikings’ minds all year.
The most noteworthy storyline is the absence of USF All-America running back Gabe Watson, who will not play an entire game for the first time in four Cougar contests this season. Watson led the nation in Div. II rushing last season. Without him on over 95 percent of their snaps, the Cougars are still 2nd out of 16 NSIC teams in rushing yards per game (248). Augie gave up just 50 yards rushing in a win over Wayne State last Saturday.
Past Augie-USF results in the Div. II era:
2012: USF 32, Augustana 31 @ Augie
2013: USF 27, Augustana 10 @ USF
2014: USF 23, Augustana 12 @ Augie
2015: Augustana 35, USF 28 @ USF
2016: USF 35, Augustana 20 @ Augie
2017: USF 21, Augustana 14 @ USF
2018: USF 51, Augustana 13 @ Augie
