VALLEY CITY, N.D. (vcsuvikings.com) – The NAIA Game of the Week was another thriller Saturday in Valley City. Valley City State and Dickinson State played to a 14-14 tie through three quarters before the Blue Hawks scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns to clinch the NSAA conference championship.
Dickinson quarterback Drew Boedecker found Jaret Lee in the end zone for a 18-yard touchdown with 9:43 remaining, breaking the tie and propelling Dickinson to a 26-14 victory.
After Dickinson State went ahead 14-0 at halftime, the Vikings rallied with two third-quarter touchdowns to tie the game at 14-14. VCSU had an opportunity to take the lead, but fumbled at the goal-line late in the third quarter. The teams traded unproductive drives before the Blue Hawks took advantage of the stiff wind at their backs in the fourth quarter, marching 66 yards for the go-ahead touchdown pass to Lee.
Valley City State drops to 4-2 overall this season. The Vikings are scheduled to be back in action Nov. 14 at Dakota State University
With the victory, Dickinson State improves its record to 8-0 this season. The win also clinches the NSAA conference championship for Dickinson.
Saturday’s game was played under adverse wind conditions, with a steady northwest breeze at 30-35 miles per hour and gusts approaching 50 miles per hour. Of the six touchdowns scored Saturday, only one came with the offense going against the wind. That came on Dickinson’s opening drive of the game as they put together a 75-yard drive on 13 plays – 11 of which were runs. The drive took eight minutes off the clock and was by far the most success either offense had going into the wind. Boedecker capped the drive with a rare pass – a 14-yard score to Tyger Frye.
The Blue Hawks put together another long drive in second quarter, going 77 yards in 11 plays for their second touchdown – a 3-yard run by Riley Linder – and a 14-0 lead.
In the third quarter, with the wind at their backs, it was Valley City State’s turn to create some offense. After VCSU’s defense forced a quick punt, the Vikings went 58 yards in seven plays to find the end zone. Viking quarterback Jalen Pfeifer found receiver Ben Carter for a touchdown on a third-and-goal from the 9-yard line.
Later in the quarter, VCSU’s Mack Jones recovered a fumbled punt at the 17-yard line to set up their second touchdown. Taylor Simmons capped the short drive with a 2-yard touchdown run and Nico Magana added the extra point to tie the game at 14-14.
The Viking defense again force a three-and-out punt and VCSU had their first chance to take the lead. Two big scrambles by Pfeifer jump-started the drive and then Michael Cornelious took a screen pass down to the 4-yard line. On 2nd-and-goal from the 1-yard line Pfeifer plunged forward and tried to reach the ball over the goal line, but a Dickinson State defender knocked it out of his hands and Reece Hoherz recovered the fumble at the 1-yard line for the Blue Hawks.
VCSU’s defense held strong and the Vikings took over at the Blue Hawk 34-yard line late in the quarter. A 24-yard pass to Dumond put the Vikings in the red zone, but the drive stalled out. A strong outside rush on Magana’s 27-yard field goal attempt forced the kick wide left and kept the game tied at 14-14 at the end of the third quarter.
After a pair of unproductive possessions, Dickinson State started the go-ahead drive on their own 34-yard line with 12:12 remaining. With the wind at their backs, the Blue Hawks passed on five consecutive plays to start the drive and then finished it with Lee’s 18-yard touchdown reception. Dickinson State added another late score after VCSU turned it over on downs deep in their own territory.
VCSU’s offense managed 236 total yards, including 117 on the ground and 119 passing yards. Simmons had 16 carries for 57 yards and Pfeifer gained 57 yards on 14 carries. Pfeifer was 7-for-32 passing for 119 yards and one interception. Cornelious had three catches for 56 yards and Dumond caught three passes for 54 yards.
Boedecker went 18-for-27 passing for 168 yards. He was a rushing threat as well, gaining 68 yards on 16 carries. Riley Linder had 46 yards on 17 carries. The Blue Hawks finished with 321 totals yards, including 153 rushing and 168 passing.
Dustin Kasowski led the Viking defense with 14 tackles. Sal Avila totaled 11 tackles and a fumble recovery, and Marshaun Jones had 11 tackles and one tackle for loss. Riley Gerhardt finished with 10 tackles and a sack, and Braeden Potter had eight tackles and a sack.
Nick Miller led Dickinson’s defense with seven tackles and a sack. Presley Piliate had six tackles and two sacks.
Up next: VCSU plays at Dakota State on Nov. 14. Dickinson State host Presentation College on Nov. 7.