Dakota State Gets Past VCSU In Sat. Football

MADISON, S.D.  (VCSU) – The Valley City State University football team turned the ball over five times on Saturday as the No. 15-ranked Vikings suffered a 24-10 upset loss at Dakota State University.

Dakota State returned two interceptions for touchdowns in the third quarter, flipping a 10-7 deficit into a 21-10 lead en route to the victory.

The Viking defense held Dakota State to just 126 yards of total offense and only nine first downs, but Dakota State’s two defensive touchdowns proved to be the difference in the game. Valley City State drops to 6-1 overall and 4-1 in the North Star Athletic Association. Dakota State improves to 4-3 overall and 3-2 in conference play.

Dakota State gained more than half of its yards in the first quarter, putting together a 10-play, 67-yard touchdown drive to take a 7-0 lead.

Valley City State tied the game up midway through the second quarter after VCSU linebacker Dustin Kasowski intercepted a pass and returned it to the Dakota State 17-yard line. On the very next play, quarterback Jalen Pfeifer hit Michael Cornelious for a 17-yard touchdown that tied the game at 7-7.

The teams would remain tied into the third quarter until Viking kicker Nico Magana nailed a 34-yard field goal, putting the Vikings ahead 10-7 with 7:29 left in the third quarter. From there, it was all Dakota State. The next three Viking drives ended in turnovers, including interception return touchdowns of 15 yards and 35 yards by Noah Guse and Jay Skogerboe. The Vikings also lost a fumble in the third quarter and had a punt blocked early in the fourth quarter.

Trailing 24-10, the Vikings drove to the Dakota State 15-yard line midway through the fourth quarter before a pair of sacks ended the drive and preserved the Trojan victory.

Riley Gerhardt led the Vikings with 13 total tackles, a sack and two tackles for loss. Kasowski totaled 10 tackles. 1.5 tackles for loss and an interception. Sal Avila finished with eight tackles, a sack and a forced fumble. Jahidi West added five tackles and an interception, and Garrett Pemelton had 1.5 sacks.

Vikings quarterback Jalen Pfeifer was 19-for-40 for 156 yards, one touchdown and four interceptions. He was sacked four times. Justice Bice rushed for 87 yards on 19 carries, and also caught seven passes for 47 yards. Michael Cornelious had four catches for 72 yards.

The Vikings finished with 255 yards of offense, including 156 passing and 99 yards rushing. Dakota State had 92 yards passing and gained only 34 rushing yards on 33 attempts.

Up next: Valley City State will try to regain a share of the conference lead on Saturday when they host NSAA leader Dickinson State University (4-2, 4-0 NSAA). Kickoff is at 3 p.m. in Valley City.