VALLEY CITY, N.D. (VCSUVikings.com) – The Viking football team played the No. 7 team in the country tough Saturday, but came out on the losing end of a 28-10 contest with Northwestern College (Iowa).
The teams played to a 0-0 tie after one quarter before Northwestern broke the ice with a pair of scores in the second quarter to build a 14-0 halftime lead. Valley City State quickly cut the deficit to 14-7 early in the third quarter on a Louis Quinones touchdown run. The Vikings trailed 20-10 entering the fourth before Northwestern tacked on one more score.
Valley City State University drops to 0-2 this season. Northwestern College improves to 1-0.
After trailing 14-0 at halftime, the Vikings scored early in the third quarter on 4-yard Louis Quinonestouchdown run, set up by Andrew Hanretty’s interception and return to the Northwestern 37-yard line. After Quinones’ TD cut it to 14-7, VCSU’s defense stepped up with a three-and-out on Northwestern’s next possession, forcing a punt that gave VCSU the ball at midfield with a chance to tie the game. The Vikings picked up one first down before the drive stalled out at the Northwestern 39-yard line.
Northwestern took over on its own 20-yard line after the Viking punt and put together a 7-play, 80-yard drive, capping it with a 7-yard touchdown run from quarterback Tyson Kooima that put the Red Raiders ahead 20-7. The Vikings responded with a 7-play, 53-yard drive on the next possession, getting a 35-yard field goal from Landon Arredondo to make it 20-10.
Northwestern completed the scoring early in the fourth quarter on a 29-yard touchdown pass from Kooima to Cade Moser. The 2-point run by Kooima was good for the final margin of 28-10.
Quinones carried the ball 20 times for 64 yards and a touchdown for Valley City State. Raymonte Maynard also had seven carries for 25 yards. Viking quarterback Jalen Pfeifer completed 12 of 22 passes for 169 yards and no interceptions. Jake Peterson caught seven passes for 103 yards, and both Eli Luna and Quinones had a pair of receptions. The Viking offense did not turn the ball over.
Aaron Martin recorded 12 tackles for the Viking defense while Jerrod Williamson was in on eight tackles and Isaac Yturralde had seven. Both Andrew Hanretty and Hunter Olson recorded interceptions for VCSU, and Hunter Slemmons had two tackles for loss.
Northwestern totaled 443 yards of offense, including 177 rushing and 266 passing. Valley City State had 241 yards of offense, with 72 on the ground and 169 through the air. The Vikings were hurt by 10 penalties for 90 yards. VCSU had two takeaways and did not turn the ball over.
Up next: Valley City State University hosts Minnesota-Morris on Saturday, Sept. 8, at 7 p.m. It is the inaugural VCSU Ag Bowl, presented by First Community Credit Union. A free meal and games start at 5 p.m. followed by the football game at 7 p.m