FOREST CITY, IOWA - The Valley City State University football team opened North Star Athletic Association conference play with a 35-13 victory Saturday at Waldorf College.
DaMario Fair had a 52-yard rushing touchdown and a 98-yard kickoff return for a touchdown as the Vikings used big plays throughout the game to build and hold a lead. Ranked No. 16 in this week's Top 25 Poll, the Vikings improved to 3-1 overall and 1-0 in the NSAA.
Jacob Duilio had 23 carries for 115 yards and a score. His first-quarter touchdown gave the Vikings a 7-0 lead they would never relinquish. Fair's 52-yard scamper into the end zone came with 2:40 left in the second quarter and put the Vikings up 14-3 at the half.
A 32-yard field goal by Waldorf's Dustin Wilke cut the Viking lead to 14-6 early in the third quarter, but the Viking special teams and Fair responded by returning the ensuing kickoff 98 yards to the house.
Waldorf College would cut the Viking lead to 21-13 late in the third quarter after a 6-yard touchdown pass from Isaac Sanchez to LaRyan Fletcher. The fourth quarter though, belonged to the Vikings. Josh Hansana punched in a touchdown run from two yards out early in the quarter, capping an 8-play, 69-yard drive that gave the Vikings a 28-13 lead.
VCSU defensive back Jesus Munoz put the exclamation point on the victory with 6:18 remaining, picking off Waldorf College inside the 5-yard line and returning it 96-yards for a game-clinching touchdown.
Valley City State out-gained Waldorf College 356-316 in total offense. The Vikings gained 239 yards on the ground, led by 115 from Duilio and 65 yards from Fair. Hansana added 50 yards rushing on six carries.
Viking quarterback Kurtis Walls finished 13-for-22 for 113 yards. Colby Lum had four catches for 50 yards, including a 26-yard reception to the 1-yard line that set up Duilio's opening touchdown.
Linebackers Ethen Preston and Nicholas McBeain each had 12 tackles for the Viking defense. McBeain recorded two sacks, and Preston had one sack and three tackles for loss. Munoz had nine tackles to go along with his 96-yard interception return.
Waldorf's ground game accounted for 233 yards and was led by sophomore Julian Ampaw's 138-yard rushing performance. Freshman Kevin Pollock powered forward for 78 yards and freshman Alex Pierre contributed 14 yards. Waldorf College drops to 1-2 overall and 1-1 in the NSAA.
Up next: Valley City State (3-1, 1-0 NSAA) continues conference play Saturday, Sept. 26 with another road game at Dickinson State University. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. Central Time/2 p.m. Mountain Time in Dickinson.
