Venue & Game Details
Location: Lokken Stadium – Valley City, North Dakota
Kickoff: 6:00 p.m. CT
Event: Ag Bowl — VCSU’s annual early‑season showcase
Broadcast: KOVC 1490 AM / 96.3 FM (local radio), live stream via VCSU Athletics
Capacity: ~3,000
Weather Forecast (Valley City, ND – Kickoff)
Conditions: Mostly sunny, warm evening
Temperature: ~78°F (26°C) at kickoff
Humidity: ~55%
Wind: S–SE at 5–8 mph
Precipitation: <10%
Impact: Mild, comfortable football weather; minimal wind effect on passing or kicking
Injury Report
Augsburg
No official injury list released for Week 1; depth chart expected to be at or near full strength.
QB Caden Rodkewich returns after starting in last year’s meeting.
WR Ralph Naimah and WR Michael Lau (both starters in 2024) available.
OL returns multiple starters.
Valley City State
No official injury list released; early‑season rosters suggest full participation barring late‑week scratches.
QB Joey Cave back after accounting for 2 total TDs vs. Augsburg in 2024.
RB Marty Gohn (short‑yardage specialist) healthy.
WR Will Pfahl (28‑yd TD catch last year) available.
Defense anchored by LB Exavian Westbro.
Team Records & 2024 Recap
Augsburg: 5‑5 overall (MIAC); averaged 28.1 PPG, allowed 29.4 PPG.
Valley City State: 7‑3 overall (North Star Athletic Association); averaged 26.7 PPG, allowed 18.9 PPG.
Recent Form (Last 5 Games – 2024 Season)
Augsburg
W vs. Macalester 33‑3
L @ Concordia‑Moorhead 38‑7
W vs. St. Olaf 35‑34
L @ Bethel 73‑8
W vs. Hamline 37‑27
Valley City State
W @ Augsburg 24‑14
L @ Minot State (DII) 38‑7
W vs. Dakota State 27‑14
W @ Mayville State 35‑10
L vs. Dickinson State 21‑17
Key Player Matchups
QB Caden Rodkewich (AUG) vs. VCSU Secondary
Rodkewich struggled in 2024’s meeting (7‑of‑19, 52 yds); must find rhythm early against a disciplined back end.
WR Ralph Naimah (AUG) vs. CB1 VCSU
Naimah’s speed vs. physical coverage could be Augsburg’s best shot at explosive plays.
QB Joey Cave (VCSU) vs. Augsburg Pass Rush
Cave was efficient last year (11‑of‑13, 108 yds, 1 TD) and added a rushing score; Augsburg must disrupt his timing.
RB Marty Gohn (VCSU) vs. Augsburg Front Seven
Gohn’s short‑yardage power running was key in sustaining drives in 2024.
Special Teams
Field position could be pivotal; Augsburg averaged just 25.1 yards per punt last year vs. VCSU’s 30.0.
Series History
All-Time: Series tied 2‑2 (dating back to 1974)
Last Meeting: Sept. 6, 2024 — VCSU 24, Augsburg 14 in Minneapolis
VCSU led 19‑0 at halftime; outgained Augsburg 343‑63 in total yards.
Augsburg managed just 11 net rushing yards; VCSU rushed for 235.
Trend: Home team has lost each of the last two meetings.
Betting Trends
Augsburg: 4‑6 in last 10 games overall; UNDER in 3 of last 4 non‑conference games.
Valley City State: 6‑4 in last 10 games overall; covered in 4 of last 5 home openers.
Head-to-Head: UNDER has hit in 3 of the last 4 meetings.
Game Odds
Augsburg Auggies 47.5
Valley City State Vikings – 6
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Wednesday, September 3, 2025
