VALLEY CITY, N.D (VCSUVikings.com)-The Valley City State University football team let out two weeks’ worth of frustration in one quarter Saturday night.

Hosting Minnesota-Morris for the inaugural VCSU Ag Bowl, the Vikings scored early and often en route to a 48-0 shutout of the Cougars. Valley City State had five first-quarter possessions and scored five first-quarter touchdowns, building a 34-0 lead after the first 15 minutes of play. The Vikings tacked on touchdowns in the second and third quarters for the final score of 48-0.

Valley City State improves to 1-2 overall this season. Minnesota-Morris drops to 0-2. The Vikings are on bye next week before hosting Mayville State for the NSAA opener on Sept. 22.

Saturday night’s game under the lights was the final non-conference game of the season for VCSU. Playing in front of a large Ag Bowl crowd, the Vikings racked up yards, touchdowns and defensive stops against an overmatched Morris team. VCSU finished with 578 yards of total offense – 262 rushing and 316 passing – and averaged 10 yards per play while holding the Cougars to just 139 total yards. The Viking defense limited Morris to just 2.3 yards per play throughout the night and racked up 10 tackles for loss and three sacks.

Viking quarterback Jalen Pfeifer and receiver Jake Peterson hooked up for four touchdowns in the game as Peterson tied VCSU’s single-game record for receiving touchdowns. Peterson finished with six catches for 150 yards, while Pfeifer went 15-for-18 for 290 yards and four touchdowns. Kellen Kessler had three catches for 44 yards, and Eli Luna, Tyler Howell and Jacob Gottenborg each had a pair of catches.

Louis Quinones had a big game on the ground for VCSU, gaining 139 yards and two touchdowns on just 11 carries. He broke off touchdown runs of 78 yards and nine yards in the first-quarter onslaught. Pfeifer gained 67 yards on just three carries, including a 61-yard touchdown run for VCSU’s second score of the night. Joshua McKnight gained 50 yards on nine carries, and Raymonte Maynardpicked up 38 yards on nine carries.

The Cougars tried an unsuccessful onside kick to open the game, giving VCSU the ball on their own 45-yard line. Four plays later Pfeifer found Peterson for a 31-yard touchdown and a 7-0 lead. After the Viking defense forced a three-and-out, Pfeifer broke off his 61-yard touchdown run on VCSU’s second play of the drive. From there, the onslaught was on. Another quick defensive stop led to a 19-yard touchdown pass from Pfeifer to Peterson, and then Quinones capped VCSU’s next two drives with his touchdown runs. Pfeifer and Peterson connected for touchdowns in the second and third quarters as well.

Arron Martin and Hunter Olson each had six tackles as part of a balanced Viking defensive effort. Ten different guys had tackles for loss, including two sacks by Hunter Slemmons. Cooper Sant and Brady Matheny combined for VCSU’s third sack of the night. Andrew Hanrettyhad an interception for the second straight week, and he and Jerrod Williamson each broke up two passes.

Up next: Valley City State is off next week before beginning conference play on Sept. 22, hosting Mayville State for a 2 p.m. game.