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CITY (NewsDakota.com) – It was an unhappy Homecoming Saturday for the Valley City State football team.

Previously winless South Dakota School of Mines upset the Vikings on their home field, scoring the final three touchdowns en route to a 39-28 victory. The loss drops No. 21 Valley City State to 3-2 on the season and will likely drop the Vikings out of the next Top 25 poll. The Hardrockers improve their record to 1-4.

Patrick Shaw’s 50-yard fumble return for a touchdown with 1:15 remaining in the game ended Valley City’s hopes of delivering a victory to a huge homecoming crowd, extending the Hardrocker’s 32-28 lead to 39-28.

Shaw’s big play came after the Vikings had driven 42 yards to the Hardrocker 40-yard line, but a shotgun snap to quarterback Tommy Zinke was low and he was never able to control the football before Shaw picked it up and rumbled in for the clincher.

The Vikings scored first on a 17-yard pass from Zinke to Ken Eliacin less than 2 minutes into the game. They would not trail until Jahmel Rover’s 23-yard touchdown run with 2:50 left gave the Hardrockers their first lead of the game at 32-28.

Derek Elliott was the Vikings main source of offense all game, racking up 219 of Valley City’s 391 yards, and scoring three touchdowns. He rushed seven times for 114 yards and two touchdowns, including a 75-yard touchdown run that put the Vikings up 14-6 late in the first quarter. He also caught six balls for 105 yards and a touchdown that gave the Vikings a 21-14 lead at the half.

Ken Eliacin continued his good season with five catches for 73 yards and a touchdown, but dropped a potential long touchdown catch when the Vikings led 28-26 midway through the fourth quarter.

Mines racked up 355 yards of total offense, including 257 yards in an impressive second half.

Zinke finished the game 13 for 31 for 206 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.

The Vikings are in action again Oct. 6 at Mayville State.