MADISON, S.D (vcsuvikings.com) – Valley City State University quarterback Jalen Pfeifer and linebacker Jahidi West were named the North Star Athletic Assiation Football Players of the Week on Monday. The pair earned the recognition after playing major roles in VCSU’s 25-21 road victory Saturday at Waldorf University.
NSAA Football Offensive Player of the Week
Jalen Pfeifer – Valley City State (N.D.) – 6’1″ – 205 lbs., Senior – quarterback – Rolette, N.D. – Pfeifer led a game-winning drive in the final minute, taking Valley City State (N.D.) 80 yards in 44 seconds with no timeouts for a 25-21 road win at Waldorf (Iowa). On that drive, he was 3-for-4 for 75 yards and the game-winning 25-yard touchdown pass to Benjamin Dumond with 12 seconds remaining. Pfeifer accounted for all three of VCSU’s touchdowns, passing for two fourth-quarter scores and rushing for one in the first quarter. He finished the game going 16-of-32 for 263 passing yards. He also rushed two times for two yards.
NSAA Football Defensive Player of the Week
Jahidi West – Valley City State (N.D.) – 5’10” – 205 lbs., Sophomore – linebacker – Stockton, Calif. – West filled up the stat sheet in Valley City State’s (N.D.) 25-21 road victory at Waldorf (Iowa). He tallied seven tackles (5 solo, 2 assist), 1 tackle-for-loss of 6 yards, two pass break-ups and a forced fumble in the fourth quarter that VCSU recovered. West and the Viking defense held the Warriors to 252 total offensive yards, which was 160 yards below their season average.
NSAA Football Special Teams Player of the Week
Jeremiah Paine – Dickinson State (N.D.) – 6’1″ – 175 lbs., Sophomore – kicker – Grenora, N.D. – Paine hit a field goal and converted 4-of-5 PAT extra-point kicks in fueling Dickinson State (N.D.) to a 37-7 road victory at Mayville State (N.D.). He made a 32-yard field goal in the fourth quarter to extend their lead to 31-7. Paine also had three punts for a total of 123 yards (41.0 yards per punt), including a 61-yard punt. He had seven kick-offs for a total of 333 yards (47.6 yards per kick-off).
Recap from last week’s games
Valley City State (N.D.) rallied back from a 21-18 deficit late in the fourth quarter, earning a 25-21 North Star Athletic Association conference road victory at Waldorf (Iowa) in the NAIA Football ‘Game-of-the-Week’ feature. The Vikings drove 80 yards in 44 seconds with no timeouts left as Jalen Pfeifer struck Benjamin Dumond with a 25-yard game-winning touchdown pass with 12 seconds left in the game. VCSU racked up a total of 421 total offensive yards and held WU to 252 total offensive yards. Valley City State, who swept the season series with Waldorf, lifted their overall/NSAA conference record to 4-1. Waldorf fell to 4-2 overall/NSAA conference record.
Dickinson State (N.D.) stayed undefeated in six North Star Athletic Association conference contests, rolling to a 37-7 road victory at Mayville State (N.D.). The Blue Hawks opened with a 21-0 halftime lead before the Comets ended their scoring drought in the third quarter with a touchdown. DiSU outscored MSU 16-0 in the final quarter to secure the victory. The Blue Hawks registered 405 total offensive yards compared to the Comets 257 total offensive yards. Dickinson State, who completed their season series sweep over MSU, is 6-0 overall/NSAA conference record. Mayville State is 0-4 overall/NSAA record.
Dakota State (S.D.) rallied back from 18-0 deficit, scoring 21 unanswered points in the final 19:47 of the game to earn a 21-18 North Star Athletic Association home victory. The Saints jumped to a 9-0 halftime lead and extended their lead to 18-0 with 5:47 on the clock in the third quarter. The Trojans scored 14 points within three-plus minutes late in the third quarter to trim PC’s lead to 18-14. DaSU set up a game-winning touchdown with 6:34 remaining in the fourth quarter, recording 12 plays for 65 yards in 5:49. The Trojans had 244 total offensive yards, while the Saints had 231 total offensive yards. Dakota State, which completed their season series sweep over PC, is 2-3 overall/NSAA record. Presentation is 0-6 overall/NSAA conference record.
Looking Ahead
The North Star Athletic Association conference action continues Saturday. Waldorf (Iowa) travels to Dickinson State (N.D.), while Presentation (S.D.) hosts Mayville State (N.D.). Valley City State (N.D.) stays on the road as they visit Dakota State (S.D.), who is in the middle of the three-game home stand.
Saturday’s Games
Waldorf (Iowa) @ Dickinson State (N.D.) – 2 p.m. (Central Time)/1 p.m. (Mountain Time)
Mayville State (N.D.) @ Presentation (S.D.) – 2 p.m.
Valley City State (N.D.) @ Dakota State (S.D.) – 4 p.m.