ROCK ISLAND, Ill. - The Elmhurst football team's defense held one of the top-ranked offenses in the nation in check, but the Bluejays could not overcome six turnovers on offense, dropping their conference opener to Augustana College 9-3. 

Elmhurst's defense limited Augustana (2-2, 1-0 CCIW) to only 257 yards of offense and seven points in the contest. The Vikings entered the contest ranked seventh in the nation in total offense, averaging over 580 yards and 47 points per contest. 

Elmhurst (3-1, 0-1 CCIW) struggled to move the ball against Augustana's defense, which entered the game ranked 238th out of 241 teams in Division III. The Bluejays' managed just 221 yards of total offense and struggled to run the ball, totaling only 49 yards on the ground. After committing just one turnover in the first three games of the season, the Bluejays gave the ball away on six occasions. Despite, the turnovers, the Bluejays still had two chances late in the game to pull even with the Vikings, but came up empty. 

Elmhurst drove to the Augustana 29-yard line on its first possession of the game, but an interception end the drive for Elmhurst. The game remained scoreless until early in the second quarter. The Vikings' took advantage of a short field, driving 48 yards in just four plays. Sam Frasco capped the drive with a 34-yard touchdown pass to Sean Fitzgerald to put the Vikings in front 7-0.

The Vikings threatened to extend their lead later in the quarter. Frasco was nearing the end zone when he was hit by Cameron Hall and fumbled the football. Valdez Honorable recovered the loose ball at the Elmhurst one-yard line to end the Vikings' drive. Augustana's defense put points on the scoreboard on the very next play. The Vikings  Erik Johnson and Nathan Mageria tackled Elmhurst quarterback Drew Domino in the end zone for a safety, giving the Vikings a 9-0 lead. 

Augustana drove to the Elmhurst 33-yard line following the safety, but the Vikings missed a 50-yard field goal with time running out at the half to keep the score 9-0. 

Elmhurst's first two possessions of the second half resulted in turnovers, but the Bluejays' defense delivered a big play to help set up the squad's first points of the game. Brandon Dominski blocked an Augustana punt that Charlie Kreager recovered at the Vikings' 21-yard line. The Bluejays offense was unable to advance the ball, but Elmhurst scored its first points of the game after Brett Bayer knocked home a 45-yard field goal.

Elmhurst had a pair of chances late in the fourth quarter to put points on the scoreboard, but the Vikings defense turned the Bluejays away on both occasions. With 7:30 left in the fourth quarter, the Bluejays drove down to the Vikings' 22-yard line. Facing a third-and-one, Elmhurst went for a pass to the end zone but the play was broken up by Augustana. Josh Williams was stopped in the backfield on fourth down, giving the ball back to the Vikings on downs with just 2:44 left on the clock.

Elmhurst's defense delivered a quick three-and-out, keeping the Bluejays' chances alive. Elmhurst took over at their own 37-yard line with 1:31 to play and no timeouts remaining. The Bluejays quickly drove across midfield and Domino hit Garrett Claxon for eight yards down to the Vikings' 17-yard line on a fourth-and-six to keep the drive alive. Elmhurst spiked the ball to kill the clock with 20 seconds remaining. After an incomplete pass near the sidelines on second down, the Vikings' broke up a pass over the middle on third down.  Augustana's Daniel Watson put the game away for the Vikings by intercepting Domino's pass in the end zone on fourth down. 

Williams was held in check on the ground, carrying 20 times for only 50 yards. Domino completed 19-of-39 passes for 172 yards but was intercepted five times. Claxon hauled in six passes for 68 yards in the loss. 

Frasco fueled the Vikings' offense, rushing 17 times for 69 yards while also completing 19-of-30 attempts for 143 yards and a touchdown. 

Andy Warsen and Alec Datoli led Elmhurst's defense in the loss, finishing with eight tackles apiece. Kreager and Sean Wetherell added seven stops apiece. 

Elmhurst will look to bounce back from the loss next Saturday, October 10, by hosting Carthage College. The game is part of the College's annual homecoming weekend with kickoff scheduled for 2:00 p.m.