Venue & Game Info
Date & Time: Thursday, September 4, 2025 – Kickoff 6:00 PM CT
Venue: Lokken Stadium, 101 College Street SW, Valley City, ND 58072
Event: Ag Bowl — annual early‑season showcase for VCSU football
Broadcast: KOVC 1490 AM / 96.3 FM (local radio), live stream via VCSU Athletics
Weather Forecast (Valley City, ND)
Conditions: Mostly sunny, warm evening
Temperature at Kickoff: ~78°F (26°C)
Humidity: ~55%
Wind: Light 5–8 mph from the south‑southeast
Precipitation:
Impact: Mild, comfortable football weather; minimal wind effect on passing/kicking
Injury Report
Augsburg University
No official injury list released for Week 1; depth chart expected to be at or near full strength.
Valley City State University
No official injury list released; early‑season rosters suggest full participation barring late‑week scratches.
Key Player Matchups
Augsburg Offense vs. VCSU Defense
QB: Augsburg’s returning starter brings experience in MIAC play, with a quick‑release passing style.
WR1: Deep threat capable of stretching the field; will test VCSU’s secondary that allowed multiple 20+ yard completions last season.
OL: Must contain VCSU’s edge rushers, who combined for double‑digit sacks in 2024.
VCSU Offense vs. Augsburg Defense
QB: Dual‑threat leader who can extend plays; dangerous in RPO situations.
RB: Power back with red‑zone efficiency; Augsburg’s front seven will need gap discipline.
WR Corps: Balanced group; Augsburg’s corners will be tested in man coverage.
Recent Team Form
Augsburg Auggies (2024 Season Recap)
Finished with mixed results in MIAC play; notable wins over Macalester and Hamline.
Offensive identity: Balanced attack, leaning pass‑first in high‑leverage situations.
Defensive challenge: Inconsistent against the run, allowing multiple 100‑yard rushers.
Valley City State Vikings (2024 Season Recap)
Frontier Conference contender; opened 2024 with a 24‑14 win over Augsburg in Minneapolis.
Strength: Opportunistic defense, + turnover margin.
Weakness: Struggled in pass protection against top‑tier defensive fronts.
Series History
All‑Time Record: Series tied 2‑2 (dating back to 1974)
Last Meeting: Sept. 6, 2024 — VCSU won 24‑14 in Minneapolis
Largest Margin of Victory: Augsburg +4 (24‑20 in 1997)
Trend: Home team has lost each of the last two meetings.
Betting Trends
Augsburg is 4‑6 in its last 10 games overall.
VCSU is 6‑4 in its last 10 games overall.
The Under has hit in 3 of the last 4 Augsburg games vs. non‑conference opponents.
VCSU has covered the spread in 4 of its last 5 home openers.
Suggested Wagering Model
Model Inputs:
VCSU’s home‑field advantage in Lokken Stadium’s Ag Bowl atmosphere.
Augsburg’s road struggles in 2024 (sub‑.500 away record).
VCSU’s returning QB/RB tandem vs. Augsburg’s run defense metrics.
Historical trend of competitive but lower‑scoring matchups between these programs.
Game Odds
Augsburg Auggies 47.5
Valley City State Vikings – 6.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Wednesday, September 3, 2025
