Mayville State University took advantage of four Viking turnovers Saturday as they edged out Valley City State, 14-13 in NSAA football action in Valley City.
Valley City State led 10-0 at halftime, but the Comets outscored the Vikings 14-3 in the second half, including the game-winning touchdown and two-point conversion with 9:14 left in the game.
The Vikings drop to 3-3 overall and 1-2 in the North Star Athletic Association. Mayville State improves to 4-1 overall and 2-0 in conference play.
Saturday's contest was a complete role reversal from the matchup earlier this year, when VCSU won 55-6 in Mayville. The Comet defense was able to frustrate VCSU's offense Saturday, picking off two passes and recovering two fumbles.
Mayville State out-gained VCSU in total yards, 290-232. Both of the Comet scores came directly off two of the four Viking turnovers. Mayville State committed three turnovers in the game, which led to 10 of VCSU's 13 points.
Valley City State struck first midway through the first quarter. After Mayville State fumbled on a punt return, VCSU's Riley Fredrickson recovered on the Mayville 16-yard line, setting up an eventual field goal by Lucas Norblom.
VCSU's second score of the game was also set up by a Comet turnover. Viking defensive back Jawuan Pugh intercepted a pass from Mayville's Andrew Blake on the Comet 40-yard line. The Vikings capped the short drive with a 27-yard touchdown pass from Kurtis Walls to Colby Lum, putting VCSU up 10-0 with 7:14 left in the first half.
Midway through the third quarter, Valley City State muffed a punt return, which the Comets recovered on the Vikings 17-yard line. Two plays later Andrew Blake hit Jacob Robbins for a 9-yard touchdown to make it 14-6. VCSU blocked the extra point attempt.
The Comets attempted an onside kick, but the Vikings recovered at midfield. VCSU drove down to the 21-yard line before being stopped. Lucas Norblom then nailed a 38-yard field goal to put the Vikings up 13-6.
Mayville State answered later with the game-winning score in the fourth quarter after recovering a Viking fumble at the VCSU 43-yard line. Quarterback Andrew Blake capped the short drive by finding Chris Mayes in the end zone for a 16-yard touchdown, cutting the Viking lead to 13-12. Mayville State elected to go for the go-ahead two-point conversion, and after scrambling out of the pocket Blake was able to find LJ McMorris in the back of the end zone for a completion and a 14-13 lead.
The Vikings had two chances with the ball late in the fourth quarter, but threw one interception and then stalled out their second drive at midfield.
VCSU's DaMario Fair had 13 carries for 46 yards. Jacob Duilio carried the ball 14 times for 32 yards. Quarterback Kurtis Walls finished 14-35 for 137 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Colby Lum had six catches for 53 yards and a score. Ethen Preston and Harvey McMahon each had 11 tackles for the Viking defense. McMahon also had 1.5 sacks.
Mayville quarterback Andrew Blake went 20-34 for 202 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Martin Stafford had 14 carries for 65 yards. Dantrel Horne, Jacob Robbins and Chris Mayes each had four catches, and both Robbins and Mayes caught touchdowns. Jason Holmes and Ryan Henderson each had nine tackles for Mayville's defense.
Up next: Valley City State (3-3, 1-2 NSAA) hosts Dakota State on Saturday, Oct. 10. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at VCSU's Lokken Stadium. Mayville State (4-1, 2-0 NSAA) travels to Waldorf College on Oct. 10. Kickoff is at 1 p.m.
