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CITY (VCSU) – The Valley City State University football team will open the 2016 season at home against its rival, head coach Dennis McCulloch announced Thursday with the release of the 2016 football schedule.
The Vikings open the 2016 campaign under the lights of Shelly Ellig Field – 7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 25 – against rival University of Jamestown. It is the first of 10 regular season contests on the schedule, including five home games and six North Star Athletic Association conference games.
The 2016 schedule includes two teams VCSU has never played in program history. The Vikings will host Hastings College, a member of the Great Plains Athletic Conference, on Sept. 10. On Nov. 10, VCSU will travel to play Southeastern University (Fla.), a member of the The Sun Conference.
Valley City State will play four of its first five games at home. The Vikings host Hastings College, Waldorf College, Dickinson State and Presentation College, in addition to the home opener against Jamestown.
“We’re excited to announce a strong home schedule this year with our traditional conference rivals and the addition of a good Hastings College program,” said McCulloch. “Prep work for 2016 is already underway as players are going hard in the weight room, eyeing thatAug. 25 opener.”
VCSU will play two games against both University of Jamestown and Dickinson State University. The second meeting between the teams will count as the NSAA conference game.
Road games are at Dickinson State, Mayville State, Dakota State, University of Jamestown and Southeastern University (Fla.).
VCSU’s homecoming game is set for Sept. 24 against Waldorf College.
VCSU is coming off a 7-3 season in 2015 and finished second in the NSAA standings. The Vikings had won the previous four conference championships and advanced to the NAIA National Playoffs in 2014. The Viking football program has posted a 16-5 overall record the last two seasons and is 25-4 in conference play since 2011.
Valley City State University Football
2016 Schedule
Aug. 25 – vs. University of Jamestown, 7 p.m.
Sept. 3 – @ Dickinson State University, 3 p.m.
Sept. 10 – vs. Hastings College, 1 p.m.
*Sept. 24 – vs. Waldorf College, 1 p.m.
*Oct. 1 – vs. Dickinson State University, 3 p.m.
*Oct. 8 – @ Mayville State University, 1 p.m.
*Oct. 15 – @ Dakota State University, 4 p.m.
*Oct. 22 – vs. Presentation College, 1 p.m.
*Oct. 29 – @ University of Jamestown, 1 p.m.
Nov. 10 – @ Southeastern University (Fla.), 6 p.m.
All times are Central Time
*Denotes NSAA conference game