Kurtis Walls hit Colby Lum for a game-winning 8-yard touchdown with 17 seconds remaining Saturday as the Valley City State University football team won a 12-6 thriller against its rival, the University of Jamestown.
The Vikings and Jimmies were locked in a 6-6 defensive struggle when the Vikings took over on their own 39-yard line with 39 seconds left in the game. On the second play of the drive, Walls connected with Josh Hansana for a 53-yard pass to move the ball down to the 8-yard line. Two plays later Lum made a toe-tap catch in the left corner of the end zone for the game-winning touchdown.
It is VCSU's fourth straight victory over Jamestown as the Vikings will retain the Paint Bucket Trophy for the second straight offseason. Valley City State improves to 6-3 overall and finishes North Star conference play with a 4-2 conference record. The Vikings still have a shot to share the NSAA conference title. The Vikings would need Mayville State to defeat Dickinson State on Oct. 31, which would set up a potential three or four-way tie for the title. The University of Jamestown drops to 2-6 overall and 2-3 in NSAA play.
Jamestown did not trail in the game Saturday until Lum's touchdown broke the 6-6 tie.
The first three quarters were a defensive struggle as the teams combined for just nine points at VCSU's Shelly Ellig Field. After the Viking defense stepped up with a first quarter goal line stand, Jamestown kicker Grant Linde made a 19-yard field goal, giving the Jimmies a 3-0 lead with 3:36 left in the first quarter.
The score would stay 3-0 heading into halftime. VCSU had a touchdown pass just before halftime called back due to a penalty, and then Lucas Norblom's field goal attempt on the final play of the half was blocked.
In the third quarter Jamestown extended the lead to 6-0 when Linde connected on a 20-yard field goal with 10:10 remaining. The Vikings answered two drives later as Norblom capped a 45-yard drive with a 32-yard field goal, cutting the Jimmie lead to 6-3.
With 12:21 left in the fourth quarter, VCSU defensive back Jesus Munoz jumped a pass route and picked off Jamestown quarterback Beau Eriksson, setting up the Viking offense at the Jimmie 45-yard line. Josh Hansana followed with an 18-yard run on the next play, and Jamestown committed a personal foul two plays later, moving the Viking offense to the 17-yard line. The Jimmie defense held though, and with 10:25 on the clock Norblom tied the game at 6-6 with a 28-yard field goal.
Jamestown had a chance to take the lead again on the ensuing drive but after moving the ball 69 yards the Jimmie offense stalled on the VCSU 8-yard line, and Linde missed a 25-yard field goal wide left.
Both teams had their next drive stall in opposing territory and VCSU's defensive stop on fourth down gave the Viking offense the ball on their own 39-yard line with 39 seconds left. Hansana big catch came on a double-move route down the left sideline, setting up Lum's game-winner.
Valley City State gained 342 yards of total offense (149 rush, 193 pass), while the Jimmies gained 329 yards (165 rush, 164 pass). VCSU did not commit a turnover, while Jamestown committed three turnovers – all interceptions. VCSU defensive backs Jesus Munoz, Mychael Bruce and Andre Peppers all had an interception.
Running back Mike Thingstad led the Jimmie offense with 97 yards on 27 carries. Quarterback Beau Erikssson gained 52 yards on 13 carries. Eriksson finished 13-for-34 passing for 164 yards, three interceptions and no touchdowns. Ja'Riguez Collier had three catches for 57 yards, while Dan Janu had three catches for 47 yards.
Jacob Duilio led the Viking rushing offense with 78 yards on 20 carries. DaMario Fair gained 56 yards on 14 attempts. Quarterback Kurtis Walls went 17-for-37 for 193 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions. Colby Lum had three catches for 43 yards and the game-winning touchdown. DJ Edwards and Zackary Schmidt each had three catches, and Josh Hansana had two big catches for 78 yards.
Viking linebackers Nicholas McBeain and Ethen Preston were all over the field Saturday. McBeain led the Vikings with 20 total tackles, while Preston had 16 tackles. Ben Bruenjes added seven tackles and a sack, and Jawuan Pugh had seven tackles.
Jamestown's defense was led by 14 tackles from Jarelle Miller and 10 tackles by Chase Johnson.
Saturday's game was the 116th meeting all-time between the two teams. Valley City State now leads the all-time series 60-51-5. The Vikings lead the Paint Bucket series 37-30.
Up next: Valley City State is off next week. The Vikings will close out the 2015 season on Nov. 8 at the Dacotah Bank North Star Bowl, which will be played at the Fargodome. Time and opponent will be announced after the conclusion of the Oct. 31 games. The University of Jamestown will host Waldorf College on Oct. 31. Kickoff is at 1 p.m.
