VALLEY CITY, ND (NewsDakota.com, photo courtesy of vcsuvikings.com) With all of the talk of Division II vs NAIA affiliation prompted by the move of teams in the region, Friday’s matchup of Valley City State and South Dakota Mines drew some added curiosity.
If the game is a measuring stick, the Vikings are a few plays away, not out of the conversation.
The Vikings turned the ball over inside the Hardrocker 10, dropped a potential touchdown pass and finished the game without a threat to stretch the field in a 31-14 loss to South Dakota Mines Friday night at O’Harra Stadium in Rapid City.
While the Vikings struggled in the first half to contain the Hardrocker run game, the offense kept VCSU in range, trailing 21-14 at the break, and 24-14 after three quarters before running out of gas.
Mines rushed for 203 yards, with the majority between the tackles, as the Vikings worked to defend the passing abilities of Hardrocker quarterback Jayden Johannsen, who threw for 3199 yards in 2022.
The Hardrockers earned 19 first downs in the first half, with the only Viking stops coming on a turnover and time running out at the break. Mines was held more in check in the second half, with their lone second half touchdown coming after a Viking turnover.
Avery Thorsgard and Austin Young powered a Viking offense that moved the ball effectively most of the game. Thorsgard finished 22-38 for 186 yards and a score. Young caught nine balls for 114 yards.
But the Vikings lacked the ability to stretch the field. Faaris Amegonkpoe, the main Viking threat to stretch the field, left with injury in the second half, and VCSU, still within two scores late, could not mount an offensive charge to threaten the lead.
With the loss of two conference opponents due to closure a year ago, the North Star Athletic Association down to five teams, and the University of Jamestown seeking NCAA Division II membership, the game was an interesting look at how the Vikings might measure up against the next level.
South Dakota Mines finished 7-4 overall a year ago, 6-3 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, a conference that produced the Division II national runner-up. Colorado Mines, last year’s RMAC champion, advanced to the national championship game, losing to Ferris State.
The Vikings have a bye week next week, and will travel to Dakota State to start NSAA play September 16th.