MADISON, S.D. –  Louis Quinones rushed for 213 yards and the Valley City State football team scored 15 unanswered points in the fourth quarter Saturday, rallying for a conference victory at Dakota State.

VCSU trailed 16-12 entering the fourth quarter before a touchdown reception by Kellen Kessler and a TD run by Quinones sparked 15 straight points for the Vikings as they stormed back for a 27-16 victory.

VCSU improves to 3-3 overall and 2-1 in the North Star Athletic Association. Dakota State drops to 1-6 overall and 0-3 in the NSAA.

Neither team put points on the board in the first quarter Saturday. VCSU struck first on Landon Arredondo's 19-yard field goal early in the second quarter. The lead was short-lived though as Dakota State's Mason Leighton returned the ensuing kickoff 92 yards for a touchdown and a 6-3 lead. A 30-yard field goal by Arredondo later in the quarter tied the game at 6-6 entering halftime.

The Viking defense forced Dakota State into a quick three-and-out to start the second half and on VCSU's first offensive play quarterback Jalen Pfeifer connected with Tyler Howell on a 46-yard pass that put the ball on the 1-yard line. Pfeifer ran it in on the next play, putting VCSU ahead 12-6 after the extra point was no good.

Dakota State closed the third quarter with 10 straight points, getting a touchdown run by Torren Devericks and a field goal by Casey Bourque to take a 16-12 lead into the final quarter.

The fourth quarter belonged to VCSU though. The Vikings put together a 14-play, 66-yard touchdown drive to open the fourth. Pfeifer rushed for two 4th-down conversions on the drive and then hit Kessler for the go-ahead touchdown on 3rd-and-goal from the 6-yard line. VCSU failed to convert the extra point after a bad snap, but still held an 18-16 lead with 10:58 remaining.

VCSU's defense stepped up again and forced a three-and-out, keeping the momentum with the Vikings. The offense kept rolling with a nine-play, 69-yard touchdown drive to build a 24-16 lead. Quinones carried the ball on five of the drive's final six plays and capped it with a 5-yard touchdown run.

The Vikings then recovered the ensuing kickoff and again leaned heavily on Quinones. The junior running back carried the ball five straight plays before Arredondo extended the lead to 27-16 with a 28-yard field goal.

Viking defensive lineman Hunter Slemmons ended Dakota State's next drive with a strip-sack, which Austin Erickson recovered, and the Vikings were able to run out the clock on the road victory.

In a game that featured two of the top running backs in the NAIA, it was Quinones who shined the brightest. VCSU's shifty running back had career-highs of 40 carries and 213 yards, and added the late touchdown to seal the victory. Quinones gained 121 of his rushing yards in the second half and 75 of those in the fourth quarter.

Dakota State's Brodie Frederiksen entered the game leading the nation with 163 rushing yards per game. VCSU's defense put together a strong performance though as they limited Dakota State to just 227 yards of total offense, including only 46 yards on the ground. Frederiksen was kept in check with 79 yards on 14 carries. VCSU recorded three sacks in the game, including two by Slemmons and one by Arron Martin.

Pfeifer had his quietest game of the season passing the ball as he went 12-for-27 for 127 yards and the go-ahead touchdown to Kessler. The Vikings relied more on Pfeifer's legs though as he carried the ball 14 times for 32 yards and a touchdown. Quinones had three catches for 27 yards, while both Kessler and Marc Wagner had two receptions. The Vikings played the game without top receiving threat Jake Peterson.

VCSU held the ball for 41 minutes and 20 seconds, compared to just 18 minutes and 40 seconds for Dakota State. The Viking defense forced four three-and-out drives by Dakota State.

Andrew Hanretty, Martin, Slemmons and Brandon Elton all had five tackles for VCSU. Hanretty recorded his team-leading third interception of the season. Sal Avila and Jerrod Williamson each added four tackles.

Up next: Valley City State hosts conference-leader Waldorf University on Saturday, Oct. 13 at 2 p.m. It is VCSU's Homecoming game. Waldorf is currently 3-0 in conference play after upsetting nationally-ranked Dickinson State on Saturday.