The Saint Cloud State football team fell to Augustana Thursday night in their season opener, 38-16. It was a close game after the first but the Vikings erupted for 14 second quarter points while their defense stifled the Huskies, holding them to no points in the frame. Augustana quarterback Luke Butler put on a show in front of 4,671 fans at Husky Stadium, completing 12-of-19 passes for 209 yards and five touchdown strikes. Three of those touchdowns went to Sam Holsen; the other two went to Tyler Schulte.

The Huskies were led by Mitch Watkins through the air and a running back tandem on the ground. Watkins went 19-of-37 through the air for 165 yards and a touchdown. The senior signal caller also ran for a score on the night. Running backs Brandon Geiss and Jake Machacek ran for 62 and 63 yards, respectively.

SCSU has now lost four straight games to Augustana and two straight season openers. The Huskies will travel to Maine on September 3rd to take on the University of Maine in a non conference matchup. Kickoff for that game is at five o’clock.