RAPID CITY, S.D. – The Valley City State football team battled old foe South Dakota School of Mines Friday night but came up short in a 31-14 loss to the Hardrockers.
 
The former conference rivals had not played since the 2012 season. South Dakota Mines, now an NCAA Division II team, outscored the Vikings 10-0 in the second half Friday – turning a 21-14 halftime lead into a 31-14 win.
 
Both teams traded touchdowns throughout much of the first half. After SD Mines went 75 yards on its opening drive of the game, Valley City State responded with its own 75-yard drive on 14 plays. Quarterback Avery Thorsgard capped the drive with a 1-yard touchdown run to tie the game at 7-7.
 
South Dakota Mines scored on each of its next two possessions – putting together impressive drives of 73 and 80 yards – to open up a 21-7 advantage in the second quarter. The Vikings responded with a quick 3-play, 75-yard touchdown drive, which included a 60-yard run by Thorsgard. Trent Finney then caught a 3-yard pass in the endzone to cap the drive and make it 21-14.
 
On the first play of the next Hardrocker drive, Viking linebacker Jahidi West forced and recovered a fumble to give the Vikings another scoring opportunity late in the half at the Hardrocker 30-yard line. VCSU moved down to the 17-yard line before Thorsgard was intercepted by Kaleb Tischler and the Hardrockers took a 21-14 lead to the locker room.
 
After five combined touchdowns in the first half, the defenses settled in for the second half. South Dakota Mines scored a third-quarter field goal and then put the game out of reach with a final touchdown late in the fourth quarter.
 
Senior wide receiver Austin Young had a big game for the Vikings, turning in an 8-catch, 108-yard performance in the loss. Thorsgard was 21-for-37 passing for 180 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions. He also rushed for 60 net yards and a score.
 
Jahidi West led the Viking defense with 11 tackles – including 10 solo stops – and the forced fumble. Riley Gerhardt had seven tackles and a sack, and Paco Baltazar had six solo stops. Micah Olson finished with five tackles and a fourth-quarter interception.
 
The Vikings finished with 273 yards of total offense, which included 93 yards and the ground and 180 through the air. The Hardrockers totaled 411 yards of offense, including 218 rushing yards on 41 attempts.
 
Up next: Valley City State has a bye week before beginning North Star Athletic Association conference play Sept. 16 at Dakota State University.