MADISON, S.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The #15 VCSU Vikings traveled to Madison, South Dakota to take on the Dakota State Trojans, looking to stay perfect on the season, unfortunately for VCSU the Trojans lived up to their reputation of being difficult to defeat on their home field, as they defeat the Vikings 24-10.
It was a back and forth first quarter as both teams were trying to find their traction on the natural grass field. The Trojans broke the scoreless tie in the first frame with a drive that started at their own 33-yard line. Freshman Quarterback Ja’Sem Atonio would cap off a 10 play drive by rushing in a touchdown from 8-yards out. Kicker Caleb Nielsen would add the PAT to give DSU the 7-0 lead with 1:22 remaining in the first quarter.
In the second quarter the Vikings picked up the game’s first turnover as linebacker Dustin Kasowski picked off DSU quarterback Atonio to give VCSU the ball at the Trojans 17-yard line. On the next play, Vikings quarterback Jalen Pfeifer fired a 17-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Michael Cornelious for the score, and kicker Nico Magana tacked on the PAT to tie up the ball game at 7-7 with 8:16 remaining in the first half. The defense for the Vikings would strike again in the quarter. This time it was Sal Avila who pressured and sacked DSU quarterback Ja’Sem Atonio and stripped him in the process, and Riley Gerhardt would jump on the loose ball to give VCSU great field position at the Trojan 28-yard line with 2:29 remaining in the second quarter. On the ensuing offensive drive the Vikings were faced with a 4th and 3 situation with under a minute to go. Going against the wind the Vikings went for it and got it, when Pfeifer hit Jorun Hamre to keep the drive going. However, the drive would not be successful as Pfeifer would throw an interception in the end zone to end the first half.
The Vikings received the ball to open up the third quarter, but their drive resulted in a punt. With the offense back on the field for the Trojans, the VCSU defense flexed their muscle once again and came up with another turnover. This time it was Jahidi West who would intercept the pass from DSU QB Ja’Sem Atonio. Pfeifer and the offense would move the ball down the field, but would have to settle for a Nico Magana 34-yard field goal to take a 10-7 lead with 7:29 remaining in the third quarter. Later on in the quarter, the Vikings offense came out for a drive that would begin at their own 2-yard line. On the first play from scrimmage, VCSU quarterback Jalen Pfeifer would throw a pick-6 to Safety Noah Guse to give the Trojans the 14-10 lead with 5:05 left in the third. Things would go from bad to worse for VCSU, when with 2 seconds remaining in the quarter, Pfeifer tried to pass on a fake punt play, only to have it intercepted and returned for a touchdown by Jay Skogerboe to give DSU the 21-10 lead after three quarters of play.
The start of the fourth quarter saw the momentum stay with Dakota State. Jalen Pfeifer was attempting to punt the ball away from his own 24-yard line, only to have it blocked by Cody Brown and recovered by the Trojans. On the ensuing offensive drive for DSU they would get a 36-yard field goal from kicker Caleb Nielson to extend the Trojan lead to 24-10 with 10:34 left in the game. DSU would get an interception to ice the game from Noah Guse once again, his third of the game, and the Dakota State Trojans go on to upset the #15 Valley City State University Vikings 24-10.
With the loss, the Vikings drop to 6-1 on the season. Next up for VCSU is a home game on Saturday against Dickinson State, kick off at 3PM with the pregame show at 2:30PM, both can be heard on KOVC.