VALLEY CITY – Valley City State University racked up 439 yards of offense Saturday, overcoming a slow start en route to a 30-19 victory over Mayville State University.
Jalen Pfeifer rushed for two touchdowns and passed for 283 yards and another score, and Joshua McKnight rushed for 112 yards and a touchdown to fuel the Viking offense. After a scoreless first quarter, the Vikings opened up a 14-6 halftime lead and then led 30-13 late in the North Star Athletic Association conference matchup.
Valley City State improves to 5-2 overall and 3-1 in conference play, setting up a showdown next week with conference leader Dickinson State. The No. 14-ranked Blue Hawks defeated Presentation College on Saturday, improving to 6-1 overall and 4-0 in conference play. The Vikings will host the Blue Hawks at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 26.
With the loss Saturday, Mayville State drops to 2-5 overall and 1-3 in conference play.
The Vikings struck first Saturday, finding the end zone on a 15-yard pass from Jalen Pfeifer to Jacob Gottenborg midway through the second quarter. Mayville State cut the Viking lead to 7-6 after Cole Dukart scored on a handoff from five yards out with 1:31 left in the second quarter. The Comet momentum did not last long though as the Vikings found the end zone just 25 seconds later. A quick four-play, 66-yard drive was capped by McKnight’s touchdown run from five yards out – giving the Vikings a 14-6 lead heading into halftime.
Valley City State scored the first 10 points of the second half, getting a 21-yard field goal from Landon Arredondo and a 1-yard touchdown run by Jalen Pfeifer to open up a 23-6 lead with 2:54 remaining. Pfeifer’s score capped a nine-play, 80-yard touchdown drive.
Mayville State trimmed the lead to 23-13 midway through the fourth quarter after Creighton Pfau hit Jacquante Pitts for a 20-yard touchdown. The Vikings answered with an eight-play, 67-yard drive to put the game away. Pfeifer capped the drive with a 9-yard touchdown run, putting the Vikings up 30-13.
Sal Avila had a big game defensively for the Vikings, racking up 13 total tackles – including 10 solo tackles and a sack. Hunter Olson finished with eight tackles, while Dustin Kasowski and Arron Martin each had seven tackles. The Vikings finished with nine tackles for loss, including sacks by Avila, Marshaun Jones and Nick Harberts. Andrew Hanretty and Doniaj Smelker each broke up two passes.
Viking receiver Caid Combs set career highs with seven catches for 100 yards. Jake Peterson had six catches for 99 yards, and Kellen Kessler hauled in two catches for 30 yards.
McKnight had 26 carries for 112 yards and a touchdown. He also had a 33-yard reception. Pfeifer finished with eight carries for 43 yards and two scores. He went 18-for-30 passing for 283 yards, one touchdown and one interception.
Mayville State quarterback Creighton Pfau was busy all afternoon, going 31-for-45 on pass attempts. He passed for 319 yards and a touchdown. Jacquante Pitts caught 11 of those passes for 124 yards and a touchdown. Joshua Portillo had eight catches for 89 yards. Pfau was the top rusher as well, carrying the ball 20 times for 73 yards and a touchdown.
Austin DeLaroque led the Comet defense with 12 tackles, while Josiah Walker posted 11 tackles.
Up next: Valley City State hosts Dickinson State on Saturday, Oct. 26, at 3 p.m. Mayville State will host Dakota State on Oct. 26 at 2 p.m.
(Story and Photos Courtesy VCSU Athletics)