‘A complete player:’ Hensley returns to Vikings

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) --- Augustana quarterback Gunnar Hensley started five games in 2025 before suffering a season-ending injury. The Carlsbad, California, native has since recovered and is ready to lead the Vikings once more.

"News flash, Gunnar Hensley is really good," head coach Jerry Olszewski said. "He's really good. He's a complete player."

Hensley completed more than 71% of his passes in five games in 2025 before being sidelined, posting a team-high 1,419 yards and 13 touchdowns. The senior is counting down the days until he gets to build on that performance.

"I've been looking forward to August 3rd, that Monday morning practice for so long," Hensley said. "And now we're nine, ten, nine days away from game one, the excitement is building even more."

"Offensive player, like he understands defensive schemes," Olszewski said. "There's not going to be a whole lot of wool pulled over his eyes. Showing one thing, doing another. You might get him once, you won't get him twice because he's just smart. But he's also done it already."

Hensley has scored many a touchdown for Augie already, and he is serving as a team-chosen captain for the second year. The team is eager to have its starting quarterback back on the field.

"He's got full command of our offense," wide receiver Sam Scholten said. "He's got the full ability to make any checks and then he reads what he wants. Right behind him, we've got Rich who is pushing him every day and got some healthy competition there."

Rich Lucero Jr. started the final six games of the 2025 season as a freshman. The two quarterbacks now share a mutually beneficial relationship that looks to elevate the Vikings' offense.

"The flip side of both of those is Gunnar loves how he's getting pushed," Olszewski said. "Rich loves how Gunnar pours into him to grow. He knows someday his career is going to be done, someone else is going to be running the show."

It is Hensley's job now, and he has one goal in mind for the 2026 season.

"The big one is just to win," Hensley said. "Started our conference and that's always been the goal for us but just take it one week at a time and win each game."

The Vikings travel to Missouri Western to open their season against the Griffins on Aug. 27 at 7 p.m.

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