VALLEY CITY, N.D. (VCSUVikings.com) –  The Valley City State University football program has finalized its 2019 schedule, head coach Dennis McCulloch announced today.
The Vikings will open the 2019 season with a Thursday night home game, hosting rival University of Jamestown for the annual Paint Bucket Game at 7 p.m. on Aug. 29. It is the 121st meeting of the historic Viking-Jimmie rivalry, which dates back to 1909 and has been played every year continuously since 1946.
The season opener will also be the 2nd Annual VCSU Ag Bowl as the school celebrates the contributions and importance of the local agriculture community.
Valley City State’s 10-game schedule for 2019 includes five home dates and a seven-game conference schedule. The Vikings play two conference games each against both Dakota State and Waldorf University.
Following the season opener, the Vikings play road non-conference games at Northwestern College on Sept. 7 and Minnesota-Morris on Sept. 14. VCSU hosted both those schools last season. Northwestern was ranked as high as No. 5 in the country last year before finishing with a 9-2 record and a No. 12 national ranking.
“We’re excited about our 2019 schedule,” said head coach Dennis McCulloch. “The rivalry with Jamestown will ratchet the intensity up right away, and a road game at a high-caliber program like Northwestern will be a great test for our guys.”
The Vikings are back home to start their seven-game conference schedule on Sept. 28 when they host Dakota State University for VCSU’s Homecoming game. The 2019 schedule includes conference home games against Dakota State (Sept. 28), Mayville State (Oct. 19), Dickinson State (Oct. 26) and Waldorf University (Nov. 9).
VCSU’s road conference games will be at Waldorf (Oct. 5), Presentation College (Oct. 12) and Dakota State (Nov. 2).
Valley City State is coming off a 6-4 overall record last season. The Vikings were 5-2 in conference play, finishing tied for second in the North Star Athletic Association standings.
VCSU Football 2019 Schedule
Aug. 29 vs. University of Jamestown, 7 p.m.
Sept. 7 @ Northwestern College, 1 p.m.
Sept. 14 @ Minnesota-Morris, TBA
Sept. 28 vs. Dakota State, 2 p.m. (Homecoming)
Oct. 5 @ Waldorf University, 1 p.m.
Oct. 12 @ Presentation College, TBA
Oct. 19 vs. Mayville State, TBA
Oct. 26 vs. Dickinson State, 3 p.m.
Nov. 2 @ Dakota State, 4 p.m.
Nov. 9 vs. Waldorf University, 1 p.m.