DUBUQUE, IOWA – No. 2 Viking Football put on a defensive show to cruise to a 40-0 victory over the Clarke University Pride. Grand View achieved their 5th straight North Division Title in the Heart of America Conference and their 50th-straight conference victory.
The Pride and the 2nd-ranked Vikings would come up empty-handed in their game-opening drives. Grand View scored on their second drive of the game as they received good offensive position from Kody Kruschwitz's fake punt, bringing the team out on the Pride's 37-yard line. On first and ten, Avery Gates would pick up momentum for the Vikings with a 37-yard rushing touchdown.
The Viking's defense would hold the Pride's efforts stagnant, led by a sack from Kiaeem Mosley for a loss of 7 yards, forcing the Pride to work off their 36-yard line, resulting in another empty drive for the team.
Grand View would again add points to the board on their next drive. This time, coming from a 40-yard field goal by Nathan Hamilton to make the Vikings lead 10-0. The Vikings opened up the second quarter with a quick touchdown, with Jackson Waring connecting with Damon Street.
In the Pride's first drive of the second quarter, Grand View's defense would hold them yardless on six different plays. Recording two sacks, one from Tristin Waugh and the other split between Casey Trudo and Romello Gray.
GVU would score on both offensive possessions in the third quarter, and the defense would hold the Pride scoreless again. The Vikings would strike again to open the fourth quarter, as Tim Nimley found the endzone to finish the barrage of scoring in the second half.
The Pride saw their best field position at the end of the game, but Grand View would shut the contest with the same defensive efforts as Austin Lee recorded another sack, closing things out 40-0.
Grand View's defense posted their fourth shutout of the season. Highlighting their impressive day were six total sacks for a loss of 55 yards and only 166 offensive yards. Leading the way for the Vikings was Gabe Jacon-Duffy, who had seven tackles. Mosley and Argo added six tackles and five different Vikings added five tackles.
After a sluggish start, Grand View's offense picked things up in the second half; leading both the rushing and receiving attack was Avery Gates, who recorded 106 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown, as well as three receptions for 73 yards and one touchdown. Jackson Waring finished the day 13-26 with 225 total yards and two passing touchdowns.
KEY STATISTICS:
- Grand View notched their 50th-straight conference win after today's victory and their 5th straight North Division Title.
- Tristin Waugh leads the nation in sacks and sack yards with 14 total for 42 yards.
- Grand View will seal themselves the opportunity to host the FCS Playoffs through the series for the 2nd straight year.
- The Vikings offense recorded 468 yards of total offense, averaging 7.7 per play.
UP NEXT
Grand View will conclude its regular season 10-0, and a perfect 5-0. Setting themselves up to host the FCS Playoffs for the second year straight. The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) will announce tomorrow, November 12th, the 8-team play-in field at 6:00 p.m. The No. 2 Vikings will receive a bye in the opening round and will host a second-round game in Des Moines at Duke Williams Stadium on November 25th. News on the opponent and game time will be announced as soon as it is available.
