VALLEY CITY, ND  (NewsDakota.com)  Valley City State scored 24 points in less than 20 minutes, then held on through a struggle, claiming a 27-21 win over Simpson University Saturday.

Quarterback Joey Cave threw touchdown passes to Owen Quail and Trent Finny, and rushed for 61 yards and a score in the effort, but was picked off three times.

Cave’s scoring pass to Finney came with 11:22 left of the second quarter, capping 24 straight points to start the game.  The Vikings didn’t score again until a second Walker Brondos field goal with 8:22 left in the fourth quarter.

Simpson, after a disastrous start, came alive behind quarterback Kaleb Anderson, who scored three touchdown runs on 89 yards rushing.  He finished 17-23 for 190 yards.  His running ability changed the nature of the game after the Red Hawks threw an interception on their opening drive, and then fumbled a kickoff return on their third possession, both turnovers leading to Viking scores.

The Vikings host Rocky Mountain to start divisional play Saturday.