ROCK ISLAND, Ill. – The Carroll University Pioneer football team played in its first overtime game since 2015, and came away with a thrilling victory over the Augustana Vikings by a score of 29-26. The Pioneers went for it on 4^th and goal from the Vikings 4-yard line, and Michael Johnson connected with Austin Eichstaedt for the duo's third touchdown of the game. Jordan Gaulke led the Pioneer defense with eight tackles, a tackle for loss, and a fumble recovery in the win.
 
The Pioneers (4-3, 3-3 CCIW) rushed for over 100 yards for the third time this season.  Johnson passed for 241 yards and was 21-48 with four touchdowns to give him 19 on the season. Eichstaedt had his fourth 100-yard receiving day of the season, picking up 10 catches for 108 yards and a career-high three touchdowns. Carroll ran 81 plays for 347 total yards, just shy of Augie's 381 total yards. Jacob Laurent struggled to kick early on, missing two field goals and an extra-point try, but hit a 30-yarder to help put the Pioneers up in the fourth quarter. Carroll was 4-7 in red zone opportunities and just 5 of 19 on third downs. The Pio defense recorded five sacks for 38 yards, led by Holden Whybark with two. Carroll forced five Augie turnovers, including four fumbles and an interception.
 
Carroll started the game three-and-out on their opening drive and allowed Augie to take possession at the Carroll 42-yard line. The Vikings drove down the field to the Carroll five-yard line but were stopped and forced to kick a 23-yard field goal. Carroll responded, thanks to a 15-yard Augustana personal foul, and a Titan Kilgore 31-yard pass, Carroll ended up on the Augustana five-yard line, but Laurent's 20-yard kick was no good.
 
Augustana scored on an eight-play, 37-yard drive after four straight completions to go up 10-0. As Adam Timbrook worked the Pioneers into the red zone, Johnson found J.R Muth for a 15-yard score early in the second quarter. After Augustana converted on a 4^th and one near midfield, Justin Kontny forced a fumble the next play, and it was recovered by Gaulke. Carroll was unable to get points off the turnover and was forced to punt on 4^th and 13. Carroll allowed a 73-yard touchdown pass just before the end of the half to trail 7-17.
 
When Augustana received the second-half kickoff, Whybark came up with his first strip-sack of the game for a loss of ten yards at the Augustana 17-yard line. Carroll worked the ball to the six-yard line, where Laurent missed his second field goal try of the game. Carroll scored late in the third quarter thanks to a 22-yard touchdown pass to Eichstaedt. On the next drive, Whybark picked up his second forced fumble of the game for a sack of two yards at the Augustana 39.
 
Augie kicked a field goal with 11:33 left in the fourth quarter to take a 20-13 lead. The Pioneers seemingly went three-and-out to start the next drive, but a fumble forced by Donovan Parker on the punt return gave the Pios the ball back with 11:08 left in the game. Johnson drove down the field on a seven-play, 53-yard drive that took 3:50 to connect with Eicshtaedt in the end zone.
 
AJ Moorer Intercepted the first pass of Augie's next drive, as the Pioneers scored on their second straight possession with Laurent's 30-yard kick to take a 23-20 lead. Augie's next drive tied the game with a 38-yard field goal with 47 seconds left. Carroll went to overtime after a failed fourth-down attempt.
 
Augustana was forced to kick a field goal in the overtime opening possession after five plays. Carroll started their possession with an Adam Timbrook rush of 16 yards to the nine-yard line. Timbrook got the ball to the four-yard line, where Carroll was stuffed on a 3^rd and four. On 4^th and four, instead of extending overtime, Johnson linked with Eichstaedt for the game-winner.
 
Carroll continues a road trip next week as they visit Wash U on October 30.