VALLEY CITY (VCSU) – A historic North Dakota college football rivalry will resume next season as Valley City State University is set to host University of Jamestown in the 2021 season opener.
VCSU football released its 2021 schedule today, which includes a Thursday night opener against the rival Jimmies. The game will be played in Valley City on Thursday, Aug. 26, resuming a historic rivalry that dates back to 1909. The two teams did not play during the 2020 season due to COVID restrictions shortening schedules.
The Vikings and Jimmies have met 121 times total on the gridiron and had played every year consecutively since 1946 until last season. VCSU is currently in possession of the Paint Bucket Trophy – which the two teams play for each season – after a 20-14 victory in the last meeting on Aug. 29, 2019. The Paint Bucket Trophy was created in 1961, and VCSU currently leads the Paint Bucket Series, 42-31.
“We’re excited to play Jamestown again and continue our longstanding rivalry,” said VCSU head coach Dennis McCulloch. “This game is a great thing for our programs and our communities, and it was important to once again put this game on the schedule.”
The Paint Bucket rivalry highlights a 10-game schedule for VCSU in 2021. The Vikings will also play a non-conference game at Concordia College-Moorhead on Sept. 4 before starting an 8-game conference schedule in the North Star Athletic Association.
VCSU’s conference schedule starts with a Sept. 18 home game against Waldorf University. The Vikings also host Mayville State (Oct. 2), Dickinson State (Oct. 23) and Dakota State (Nov. 6). Valley City State will play its first conference road game Sept. 25 at Iowa Wesleyan, which has joined the NSAA this season for football. The Vikings also play road games at Presentation College (Oct. 9), Dakota State (Oct. 16) and Waldorf University (Oct. 30).
The Vikings played seven games during the COVID-shortened season of 2020. Valley City State posted a 5-2 record, finishing second in the NSAA standings behind Dickinson State University.
Valley City State University is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and a conference member of the North Star Athletic Association (NSAA).
2021 VCSU Football Schedule
Aug. 26 vs. Jamestown, 7 p.m.
Sept. 4 at Concordia-Moorhead, 1 p.m.
Sept. 18 vs. *Waldorf University, 1 p.m.
Sept. 25 at *Iowa Wesleyan, 1 p.m.
Oct. 2 vs. *Mayville State, 2 p.m. (Homecoming)
Oct. 9 at *Presentation College, 1 p.m.
Oct. 16 at *Dakota State University, 4 p.m.
Oct. 23 vs. *Dickinson State University, 3 p.m.
Oct. 30 at *Waldorf University, 1 p.m.
Nov. 6 vs. *Dakota State University, 2 p.m.
*North Star Athletic Association conference game
BOLD = Home game