Augie still grounded in success

By Jim Rodenbush, D3football.com (posted Sept. 13) 

One game into the 2000 season, Augustana finds itself in familiar territory.

The Vikings’ season-opening win against Eureka on Saturday came in vintage fashion for the traditional power. A balanced running attack compiled 264 yards to key a 40-6 home victory.

Even more familiar for the Vikings is their spot in the first American Football Coaches Association Top 25 poll. After ending the 1999 season with a NCAA playoff appearance and a No. 13 ranking, the Vikings begin the new year at No. 10.

But ask first-year coach Jim Barnes and he will tell you this season promises to be anything but familiar for Augustana.

"(Early season) polls have a lot to do with prior performance and traditions," said Barnes. "Augustana warrants such consideration, but this football club has a ways to go before it can stake a claim to something that lofty."

Augustana’s well-publicized graduation losses included All-American fullback Ben Nelson; quarterback Joe Schmulbach, the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin offensive MVP and three other All-Americans.

Securing a 22nd consecutive winning season and even capturing a 19th CCIW title means the Vikings must go through the proverbial rebuilding phase.

"There’s a transitional period," said Barnes. "Anytime you have an established program and you bring in new leadership, there’s a transition period. All you can hope to do is minimize it and reduce it. Is that going to be a month or a year? I don’t know. It’s going to take some time."

Barnes is no stranger to the rebuilding process. The 1981 graduate of Augustana returns to his alma mater from the College of Wooster. Barnes inherited a Fighting Scot program that was 1-9 in 1994 and left after five seasons with a 37-13 record, including 8-2 marks in each of the last two seasons.

Barnes described the rebuilding process at Augustana as different than that at Wooster. Helping Barnes at Augustana is a solid group of returnees, including the entire offensive line as well as leading rusher David Chorney and leading receiver and captain Chris Sally.

"We’re certainly going to have to rely a great deal on the offensive front," said Barnes. "To have that kind of continuity, we have to take it and build and lean on it."

Five different players ran for touchdowns in the victory over Eureka. Chorney scored twice to go along with 43 yards rushing and Corey Ungaro led all rushers with 64 yards on 12 carries.

Sophomores Brad Wendell and Ben Kleinhans shared time at quarterback during the game, attempting a combined four passes between them. Together, the two are attempting to replace Schmulbach, who Barnes called the "most significant graduation opening" along with Nelson.

On defense, the Vikings lined up three freshmen – Mike Brasile, Mike Hansen and Justin Georgacakis – up the middle against Eureka. The group helped to limit Eureka to 119 rushing yards. For the day, the Vikings’ defense also forced six turnovers.

"The old baseball analogy is that you need to be strong up the middle," said Barnes. "(The freshmen) did a terrific job. There was virtually no running game last week. We will need some other guys to step up next week against the passing game of Wisconsin-Platteville."

The Vikings travel to Platteville this Saturday and then host Wisconsin Lutheran before beginning the CCIW schedule at Elmhurst on Sept. 30. The Vikings are picked to finish third in the conference behind No. 20 Millikin and Wheaton, according to the coaches’ poll.

"Here, the ambition is to be the CCIW champions," said Barnes. "No doubt, if we fall short, I’ll be included in those who are disappointed. But I have more of an eye on the long range. We are a program in transition, but I have faith and confidence in the future prominence of Augustana football. I see no hindrances toward us becoming a consistent top-notch programs."

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