DICKINSON, N.D. – Valley City State took an early lead but was unable to hold off Dickinson State in a Saturday afternoon battle of unbeaten NSAA football teams.

After the Vikings went ahead 7-0 early, Dickinson State rallied back with 21 straight points on its home field. The Vikings cut their deficit to one score in the fourth quarter but could get no closer and dropped the game, 27-13.

VCSU drops to 2-1 overall this season. Dickinson State improves to 3-0. The teams were picked to finish first (DSU) and second (VCSU) in the NSAA preseason coaches' poll, and had both started the season with a 2-0 record entering Saturday's game in Dickinson. The teams will meet again in Valley City on Oct. 31.

Valley City State struck first Saturday with a short touchdown less than four minutes into the game. Dickinson State received the opening kickoff, but on their second play from scrimmage the Blue Hawks fumbled and VCSU freshman Riley Gerhardt recovered at the Dickinson 28-yard line. VCSU quarterback Jalen Pfeifer hit Mack Jones for a short completion to convert a 4th-and-2, and after a Taylor Simmons 16-yard run brought the Vikings to the goal line, Pfeifer plunged in for a 1-yard touchdown run. Nico Magana hit the PAT to give the Vikings a 7-0 lead with 11:26 let in the first quarter.

Dickinson State would score the next three touchdowns, reeling off 21 straight points. Dickinson  quarterback Drew Boedecker threw two short touchdowns in the second quarter, connecting with Kellen Ray on an 8-yard score and Tyger Frye on a 6-yard TD to give the Blue Hawks a 14-7 halftime lead.

The Blue Hawks extended the lead to 21-7 after Boedecker hit Jaret Lee for a 37-yard touchdown with 3:21 left in the third quarter. VCSU battled back to make it a one-score game, putting together a nine-play, 75-yard touchdown drive that started in the third quarter. Taylor Simmons capped off the drive with a 17-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter. The extra point was blocked, keeping the Dickinson lead at 21-13.

Both teams traded three-and-out possessions before the Blue Hawks scored their final touchdown of the day. Seven straight carries by Riley Linder moved the Blue Hawks into Viking territory. VCSU forced Dickinson into a 4th-and-3, but Boedecker converted with a 23-yard touchdown pass to Tyger Frye that all but put the game away. VCSU blocked the extra point for the final margin of 27-13.

VCSU finished with 209 yards of offense, including 107 on the ground and 102 through the air. Dickinson racked up 449 yards of offense, rushing for 184 and passing for 265. Both teams had one interception and VCSU recovered one Dickinson fumble.

Riley Gerhardt tallied a career-high 20 tackles to lead the Viking defense. The freshman defensive end also had one tackle for loss, recovered a fumble and blocked a kick. Sal Avila racked up 15 tackles and one TFL. Dustin Kasowski totaled 13 tackles and Marshaun Jones finished with 11 tackles and a half sack. Anthony Russell had VCSU's interception – his second of the season.

VCSU's Taylor Simmons had his first career 100-yard rushing day, racking up 106 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries. Pfeifer completed 14 out of 30 pass attempts for 102 yards. Jorun Hamre had four catches for 32 yards, while Simmons and Benjamin Dumond each had two catches for 25 yards.

Up next: Valley City State (2-1) will look to bounce back with a home game against Mayville State on Saturday, Oct. 3. Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. at VCSU's Lokken Stadium.