Dickinson, N.D. – VCSU Football was defeated by No. 21 Dickinson State 19-6 on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024. Valley City entered the contest with a 1-3 record and 0-2 mark in conference play. They leave Dickinson 1-4 overall and 0-3 in the conference.
 
Dickinson entered the contest ranked No. 21 nationally with a 3-1 mark overall and a 2-0 record in the conference and leaves the contest 4-1 on the season and 3-0 in the North Star.
 
The match up got off to a slow start going scoreless in the first quarter. In the second quarter DSU found the endzone twice with a pass by Will Madler complete to Semaj Clark good for a 54-yard touchdown. A few possessions later Braden Zuroff found the endzone with a 1-yard touchdown run. Only converting one of two extra point chances, the first half ended 13-0 in favor of DSU.
 
In the third quarter DSU once again found the endzone with a 3-yard rush by Darion Brown and were again unsuccessful in their extra point attempt. DSU entered the fourth quarter with a 19-0 lead where they were held scoreless for the remainder of the game. The Vikings were able to find the endzone with an Avery Thorsgard, 1-yard touchdown run. Unsuccessful in their two-point conversion, the score was then 19-6, where it would be at the end of the game.
 
The Vikings ran 60 plays for 169 yards of total offense. They earned 68 passing yards and 101 rushing yards and possessed the ball for 25:58. They were led by Avery Thorsgard completing 7/13 for 68 yards and 31 rushes for 75 yards. On defense Gavin Gerhardt led the team with four tackles.
 
DSU tallied 298 yards of offense led by Will Madler who was 10/20 good for 108 yards and a touchdown. Braden Zuroff rushed for 84 yards on 24 attempts. Dickinson’s Jayden Heartwell led the defense with four tackles.
 
UP NEXT: Viking Football comes home to host the Ag Bowl against the University of Jamestown on Saturday, Oct. 12. Tailgate begins at 11 a.m. with kickoff slated for 1 p.m.