WAUKESHA, Wis. – The Carroll University football team will conclude the annual Homecoming week on Saturday, October 1 at 2 PM with a CCIW football matchup with the Augustana Vikings. Carroll looks to get back in the win column on homecoming games, with the last victory coming in 2018 against North Park.

GAME DETAILS: The Pioneers take the field at the pushed-back, 2 PM time slot, to allow fans to celebrate Carroll with the homecoming parade. Carroll comes home after a tough road loss to Illinois Wesleyan on Saturday, September 24. Carroll scored the first 21 points of the game, thanks in part to Jake Binkowski's second pick-six in as many games. The Carroll defense has taken over the spotlight this season, as Carroll ranks top-50 in the Nation in multiple defensive categories, including the second-best turnover margin in Division III. The Pios have forced a league-high 10 turnovers through three games, and have suffered just one offensive turnover in that time. Six interceptions have come at the hands of the Pioneer secondary, while four fumbles have been recovered by Carroll after four forces.
 
The Pioneer offense sputtered in the second half against Wesleyan, but the potential is still there. Nick Legnaioli and Reed Breckheimer both had receptions of over 50 yards in the loss. The ground game averages just under 190 yards per game, with just under five yards per carry. Carroll is still the only conference program to not have a turnover through the air and has the second most passing touchdowns in the conference with 10.
 
PREVIEWING THE VIKINGS: Saturday marks the 43rd meeting of the two programs, dating back to the first contest back in 1948. Augustana holds a 24-16-2 record over Carroll, after a dominating decade in the 1980s. The Vikings and Pioneers both shared the 1988 CCIW Football Conference Championship title.  Carroll regained control of the win column last season on a walk-off touchdown pass from Michael Johnson to Austin Eichstaedt in overtime. Carroll's last win in Schneider Stadium against Augustana was back in 2017, in just the second game against the Vikings since re-joining the CCIW in 2016.

The Vikings enter at 2-1 and 1-1 in the CCIW. Augustana's CCIW opener against Elmhurst turned out in their favor with a 34-16 win, but Augie fell last week to No. 11 Wheaton, 38-28. This season, the Vikings are averaging 32 PPG and are averaging just under 400 yards of total offense with 13 touchdowns. The Viking defense however is surrendering 423.00 YPG and over 185 yards rushing. Three different quarterbacks have completed at least five passes this season, but the Vikings are led by junior Thomas Hall, who has 535 yards passing through three games with three touchdowns and three interceptions. Liam Crawley the sophomore last appeared in the Wheaton game, completing 8 passes for 68 yards and a score.

THROW IT INTO THE BIN(KOWSKI): Jake Binkowski was named to the D3football.com Team of the Week after his two-interception, five tackle performance against Illinois Wesleyan. Binkowski, a sophomore from Pulaski, Wisconsin, returned one pick for a 36-yard touchdown. It was the second straight game with a pick-six for the safety. Binkowski leads the team with three interceptions to start the season, as the Pioneers have forced a conference leading 10 turnovers through three games.
 
THE RUN STOPPERS: Carroll is holding opposing rushers and running backs to just 2.3 yards per carry through three games. Led in part by the two Pioneer linebackers and defensive line. Last week against the Titans, linebacker Damon Loker and defensive lineman Nick Mantas combined for 22 tackles and 3.0 tackles for loss. Loker leads the team in tackles with 19 and tackles for loss with 4.5. The Pioneers have a combined 28 tackles for loss for just under 100 yards through three games. The 9.3 tackles per loss per game is 14^th best in the nation.

HOW TO WATCH: The Pioneers and Vikings will kick off at 2 PM following the homecoming festivities in the morning. Live statistics and a link to the broadcast on the Pioneer Sports Network will be available at gopios.com/football.