No. 11 Humboldt State racked up 707 yards of total offense and held No. 24 Augustana University to a season-low 279 yards to defeat the fifth-seeded Vikings 45-31 in the first round of the NCAA Playoffs on Saturday.
No. 4 seed Humboldt State advances in the NCAA Playoff to play No. 1 seed Northwest Missouri State next Saturday in Maryville, Mo.
Augustana finishes the season 9-3, marking just its second season with nine or more wins in program history. The Vikings made their fifth NCAA Playoff appearance in program history and are now 1-4 all-time in NCAA postseason play.
The Lumberjacks were led offensively by Ja’Quan Gardner, who rushed 44 times for 246 yards and two touchdowns, and Chase Krivashei, who hauled in 18 passes for 221 yards and three touchdowns. HSU quarterback Robert Webber finished the day 34 of 43 passing for 460 yards and four touchdowns. HSU ran 103 offensive plays in the game, while Augustana ran a total of 53 for 279 yards. CJ Ham tied the single season record at Augustana with his 16th rushing touchdown of the season. He finished the game with 54 rushing yards on 15 carries while also catching three passes for 24 yards and a score. Jason Greenway returned his third kickoff for a touchdown this season taking the opening kickoff in the game 99 yards for a score. He finished the day with 194 yards on four returns. Trey Heid was 15 of 25 passing for 176 yards and a touchdown.
